Campos Novos
Campos Novos is a Brazilian municipality located in the western part of the state of Santa Catarina, in the Southern Region of Brazil. It belongs to the Chapecó Intermediate Geographic Region and the Joaçaba-Herval d'Oeste Immediate Geographic Region, situated approximately 370 km west of the state capital. The municipality covers an area of about, with an estimated population of 36,932 inhabitants in 2022, making it the 41st most populous municipality in the state.
The region was first explored in the 18th century, initially inhabited solely by the Kaingang indigenous people. Established in 1881, Campos Novos experienced significant population growth in the early 20th century due to the arrival of immigrants seeking employment and refugees from the Contestado War. The municipality's agricultural potential was revealed during this period, propelling it to the forefront of crop production in Santa Catarina, with major crops including maize, soybean, bean, wheat, and barley, while also excelling in livestock and beekeeping.
Campos Novos boasts several cultural and historical attractions, including the São João Batista Parish Church, the Coronel Gasparino Zorzi Cultural Center, and the Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Aparecida, which attracts an average of 70,000 devotees. The Campos Novos Hydroelectric Plant, constructed in 2006, generates a quarter of Santa Catarina's energy supply.
Etymology
The vast expanse of land and its extensive properties naturally attracted immigrants from São Paulo, Paraná, and even neighboring landowners from Lages, who sought land for cattle ranching. Subsequently, the immense fields gave rise to the municipality's name.History
Origins
Like other municipalities in the broader Western Santa Catarina region, the history of Campos Novos has its roots in the earliest settlement experiences of the Southern Region of Brazil. Before the emergence of settlements in 1650 at São Francisco, Desterro, and Laguna—efforts led by settlers from São Paulo who ventured by sea in search of new opportunities—Western Santa Catarina was already experiencing the proximity of Spaniards, who, alongside Jesuits, explored the region stretching from the Iguazu River to the Uruguay River. Later, in 1663, the bandeirante Antônio Raposo Tavares traversed these lands and, allied with the Coroado indigenous groups, began aggressively pursuing indigenous settlements, a consequence of the catechetical endeavors of those priests. Until 1770, however, when they ceased traveling south due to the allure of gold in the Goiás and Mato Grosso captaincies, the settlers from São Paulo had little to exchange for these lands, at least in terms of regional colonization efforts.The historical narrative of this municipality begins to take shape with the expedition led by Major Atanagildo Martins, guided by Jongong in 1814, aimed at establishing contact with the Missions. Deviating from the planned route due to the fear instilled in his guide by the Guarani indigenous groups, this expedition reached the Vacaria fields, after traversing the fields where Campos Novos now stands. It is likely, however, that certain landowners from Lages were already permanently established there by 1839.
João Gonçalves de Araújo, a rural landowner in Curitibanos, discovered Campos Novos. Enchanted by the smoke from the fires set by the indigenous people, he organized an expedition and headed toward the Espinilho Ridge. Thus, the first settlers established themselves on the land, soon aided in the occupation efforts by Gaucho fugitives from the Farroupilha Revolution. Among them, Chico Ferro, Chivida, and Miguel dos Anjos were associated with the initial endeavors that gave rise to this municipality. In 1848, settlers from São Paulo reappeared, conquering the São Jorge fields. Together with newcomers from Curitiba, Palmas, Lages, Guarapuava, and the Gaucho fields of the Rio Grande do Sul Province, they formed a crucial foundation for the community's organization.
The colonization did not begin precisely where the prosperous city of Campos Novos now stands. Initially, it took place about one kilometer from the city, near a stream. Salvador Vieira, moving away from the nascent settlement, built the first house within the perimeter of this thriving city. Shortly afterward, with the settlement already demarcated, Domingos Matos Cordeiro began constructing the São João Batista Parish Church.
Administrative formation
By Provincial Law No. 377, dated June 16, 1854, the district of Campos Novos, which had existed for some years, was emancipated from the Village of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres to form a separate parish. Its first authorities were João Fernandes da Caripuna, a native of Pernambuco, and Domiciano de Azevedo. In 1869, under Law No. 625 of June 11, Campos Novos, along with Palmas and Curitibanos, formed a district of the newly established Curitibanos municipality. Subsequently, by Law No. 923 of March 30, 1881, the Campos Novos district was elevated to the status of a municipality named São João dos Campos Novos; concurrently, the São João Batista parish of Campos Novos was recognized as a village. Its first Intendant was Colonel Manoel Ferreira da Silva Farrapo.Until 1933, the municipality of Campos Novos shared borders with Lages, Curitibanos, Cruzeiro do Sul, Porto União, and the state of Rio Grande do Sul, covering an area of approximately 15,000 km² at the time. On March 25, 1934, by Decree No. 408, the districts of Rio das Antas and Caçador were detached; in 1943, its territory was further reduced with the emancipation of the districts of Herval, Rio Uruguai, Rio Bonito, and Perdizes. Conversely, the districts of Ypira and Ouro were annexed to its territory, only to be detached again in 1949, along with Piratuba, Ypira, and parts of Tupitinga, Capinzal, and Ouro. In 1997, Campos Novos lost a portion of its territory to the establishment of the municipality of Zortéa. Today, there are seven remaining districts besides the seat: Bela Vista, Dal Pai, Espinilho, Encruzilhada, Guarani, Ibicuí, and Leão.
After emancipation
In 1893, with an invasion led by Colonel Demétrio Ramos, the municipality's territory felt the repercussions of a civil war. The village was attacked in the early hours of May 19 of that year. Caught off guard, the square's defenders, including local residents, sought refuge with their families in the residence of Colonel Henrique Rupp, which, due to its high-quality construction, provided adequate protection against the invaders. With the defense organized, Lieutenant-Colonel Atanázio de Matos, accompanied by six soldiers, was tasked with retaking the Intendancy, courageously expelling the revolutionaries. A new battle ensued to drive the attackers from their entrenched position, resulting in another victory for the defenders, causing a disorganized retreat of the assault forces. The resistance of Campos Novos led to the death of five brave defenders who fell in the line of duty.At the beginning of the 20th century, the city underwent a period of development with the arrival of immigrants drawn by the prospect of better living conditions in Brazil. Primarily Germans and Italians, they initially contributed to agriculture and the construction of the São Paulo-Rio Grande Railway, and later, after the 1920s, to the establishment of small industries. Poles, Russians, and Lebanese also arrived, along with a significant number of descendants of Germans and Italians, mainly from Rio Grande do Sul, and Caboclos who settled after the end of the Contestado War.
Due to the city's demographic growth, infrastructure investments became necessary. The early 20th century saw the arrival of the railway and small industries. In 1922, the first medical clinic was established at Dr. José Athanásio's house, where the Dr. José Athanásio Hospital now operates. On March 29, 1954, the Auxiliadora School was founded, and in 1957, Rádio Cultura de Campos Novos was established. Agriculture was strengthened with the creation of Copercampos on November 8, 1970, which initiated cooperativism. Today, the city is a major grain producer, particularly of maize, soybean, bean, wheat, and barley, and is notable for its livestock, especially dairy production.
Geography
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the municipality's area is, with constituting the urban area and the remaining forming the rural area, making it the third largest in Santa Catarina, surpassed only by Lages and São Joaquim. It is located at 27°24′07″ latitude south and 51°13′30″ longitude west, approximately 370 kilometers west of the capital of Santa Catarina. It borders Erval Velho, Ibiam, and Monte Carlo to the north; Barracão, Celso Ramos, and Anita Garibaldi to the south; Vargem, Brunópolis, and Abdon Batista to the east; and Capinzal, Zortéa, Ouro, Lacerdópolis, and Herval d'Oeste to the west.Geomorphology and hydrography
The city's terrain is predominantly gently undulating, deep, and well-drained, offering favorable physical conditions for root development. It is minimally susceptible to erosion and supports the use of agricultural machinery and implements. In some areas of the municipal territory, there are stronger undulations, which are more prone to erosion and pose greater challenges to agricultural mechanization, particularly where the soil type is Cambisol, containing stones. Although much of the municipality's area has terrain suitable for agriculture, Campos Novos' soils are acidic, often contaminated with exchangeable aluminum, and have limited nutrient reserves. However, when properly managed, they become suitable for both annual crops and less intensive uses such as fruit cultivation, pasture, and reforestation.The city is part of the Lages Plateau hydrographic region and the Canoas River hydrographic basin, one of the main basins in Santa Catarina. The Canoas River flows through Campos Novos and eleven other municipalities, and upon merging with the Pelotas River, it forms the Uruguay River. The Campos Novos Hydroelectric Plant, operational since 2007, generates a quarter of Santa Catarina's energy consumption.