The Republic of Catanduva at its greatest extent in late 1867. Dark Green: The Republic of Catanduva. Green: Satellite states controlled and claimed by Catanduva. Light Green: Areas dominated and effectively controlled by Catanduva. Bright Green: Areas dominated but sparsely controlled by Catanduva. Lime: Brazilian states claimed by Catanduva. Cyan: Argentine territory claimed by Catanduva (planned).
The Republic of Catanduva ("República de Catanduva"), or Catanduva, was an unrecognized state in South American that existed between 1865 and 1870. The republic was formed by four seccesionist states from Brazil: Mato Grosso, Missões, Paraguai, and Santa Catarina. Catanduva was formed due to the heavy interference of the Brazilian government in the Platine basin, ban on social segregation, along with the autonomist feeling of the population of these states.
The country wasn't recognized by any country at the time, although the Andine Confederation briefly commenced a diplomatic process to recognition until signing a treaty with Brazil in exchange for the neutrality of the confederation. The country had three to four capitals, the main was Cuiabá which was capitulated by the Goyaz front in 1869, then moving to Ponta Porã, and briefly in the whereabouts in the city of Assunção. Only two of the states formed during the Catanduva years were retained: Guaporé and Guairá (renamed to Iguaçu).
The name Catanduva (Caa-tã-dyba in Tupi-guarani language) is a word of indigenous origin meaning "rough grass" or "unhealthy vegetation". It is a reference to the Brazilian Cerrado, the region's typical vegetation, and was chosen by Governor of Mato Grosso and Solano Lopes' right-hand, João Batista de Oliveira.
