Rio Grande do Norte

Rio Grande do Norte is a state in northeastern Brazil with an Atlantic coastline and semi - arid regions inland . The landscape shifts between sandy beaches , dunes , and dry hinterland that reaches the border with neighboring states .

Portuguese settlers built the Fort of the Three Wise Kings in 1598 near the present capital to drive French pirates from the region . This fortification marked the start of permanent European control over the area .

The name means „Great Northern River

Visitors find accommodation and restaurants in coastal towns and smaller settlements inland . Roads connect the different regions , with the coast offering more humid conditions and the interior remaining drier .

The Barreira do Inferno , operational since 1964 , was Brazil ' s first rocket launch site and served space exploration for decades . From here , numerous scientific missions lifted off and contributed to the development of Brazilian space technology .

Location: Brazil

Inception: 1891

Capital city: Natal

Elevation above the sea: 142 m

Reference: RN

Part of: Northeast Region

Shares border with: Paraíba, Ceará

Website: http://rn.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -5.74000,-36.55000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 22:44