Editing Tocantins (section)

== History ==
[[File:Mapa da Província do Araguaia.tif|left|thumb|Map of the Province of Araguaia, that would be created during the Empire of Brazil, 1873. Today, Tocantins lies in this area. [[Brazilian National Archives|National Archives of Brazil]].]]
Portuguese [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[missionary|missionaries]] explored what is today Tocantins state about 1625, seeking to convert the [[Amerindian]] peoples of the area to Christianity. The area is named after the [[Tocantins River]], whose name is derived from an indigenous language. (From: '''Tukô''', ''Toucan'' +  '''tï''', ''beak''. lit. "Toucan's beak" in [[Tupi language]].)<ref name="brit"/>

Before 1988 the area made up the northern two-fifths or one-third of [[Goiás]] state.<ref name="britgoias"/> Since the 17th century, this area was relatively isolated by rivers navigable only in short portions and mountains, and difficult to access. As a result, the southern area of the state became more developed, particularly after this area was selected in 1956 as the site for the development of the new capital of [[Brasília]] and the [[Federal District (Brazil)|Federal District]].<ref name="britgoias">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/237167/Goias "Goias/ State Brazil"], ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 2015</ref>{{Better source|date=March 2021}} A strong [[separatism|separatist]] movement developed in the north for independence of its people.{{Cn|date=March 2021}}

After the government levied heavy taxes on mining in 1809, local residents began to organize a separatists movement. They made a minor revolt which was quickly crushed by the army. In the 19th century, a string of failed uprisings occurred in the north. Historically the area was inhabited chiefly by [[Amerindians]] in some intact indigenous tribes and [[pardo]]s of Amerindian and Portuguese descent.{{Cn|date=March 2021}}

In the 1970s, the population of northern Goiás lobbied the government to establish a separate state. In the 1988 Constitution, the State of Tocantins was created and admitted as a new [[States of Brazil|Brazilian state]].<ref name="t-h"/>

Since its establishment and investment by the government, as in the new capital of Palmas, Tocantins has been the fastest-growing Brazilian state. Its thriving economy is based on agriculture and agro-industry, attracting thousands of migrants from all over the country. The construction of the long-planned [[North-South Railway (Brazil)|North–South Railway]] is expected to further boost economic growth.{{Cn|date=March 2021}}