Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon was a Brazilian military officer, explorer, and politician who is best known for his exploration of the Amazon River and its tributaries. He was born on May 5, 1865 in the small town of São Luís do Purús, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil.
Rondon was the son of a Portuguese immigrant and a Brazilian mother. He was educated at the Military Academy of Realengo in Rio de Janeiro, where he graduated in 1887. After graduation, he was assigned to the Brazilian Army's Engineering Corps and was sent to the Amazon region to survey the area. During this time, he became fascinated with the region and its people, and he developed a deep respect for the native tribes.
In 1910, Rondon was appointed as the head of the newly formed Serviço de Proteção aos Índios (SPI), or Indian Protection Service. This organization was created to protect the rights of the indigenous people of the Amazon region. Rondon was a strong advocate for the rights of the native tribes, and he worked to ensure that they were treated fairly and with respect.
In 1914, Rondon was appointed to lead an expedition to explore the Amazon River and its tributaries. This expedition, known as the Rondon Commission, was the first of its kind in Brazil. The expedition was made up of a team of scientists, engineers, and military personnel, and it was tasked with mapping the region and studying its flora and fauna. The expedition was also charged with establishing contact with the native tribes and helping to protect their rights.
The expedition lasted for two years and covered over 4,000 miles of the Amazon River and its tributaries. During this time, Rondon and his team encountered numerous native tribes, some of which had never been contacted by Europeans before. Rondon was able to establish peaceful relations with many of these tribes, and he was even able to learn some of their languages.
The expedition was a success, and it resulted in the mapping of the entire Amazon River and its tributaries. It also resulted in the establishment of numerous scientific and cultural institutions in the region. In addition, Rondon was able to secure the rights of the native tribes, and he was able to ensure that they were treated fairly and with respect.
Rondon's legacy lives on today. He is remembered as a great explorer and a champion of the rights of the native tribes of the Amazon region. His work has had a lasting impact on the region, and his legacy will continue to be remembered for generations to come.