it is estimated that nearly 800,000 spaniards have immigrated into brazil since 1822, with this number representing about 14 percent of all foreigners entering the country since its independence, making spaniards the third largest immigrant population in brazil.

interestingly, waves of spanish immigrants have also included portuguese emigrating with false spanish passports - in fact, portuguese immigrants in rio de janeiro are popularly known as galegos, or galicians.

during the same period, lots of spaniards emigrated from europe to brazil's neighbor argentina, developing a whole new type of barbequed-meat cuisine that later made its way back into brazil, balancing the fish-based recipes originally brought in from spain and so going, in a way, full circle.

spanish immigrants have clearly made their mark in brazil, along with the rest of the world - particularly in rio de janeiro, there are plenty of traditional spanish restaurants to be found.