I have read many times that the only thing that held Brazil together to prevent the emergence of several republics in the style of Spanish America was the presence of the Portuguese royal family. I wonder what republics would have emerged if the Portuguese royal family had not escaped from Napoleon
Probably three or four republics. One would probably be centered around Rio de Janeiro, but including São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Goiás. Bahia could form a separate country or join the other republic centered at Pernambuco. And the North (Maranhão and Pará) would probably be other country, or even remain connected to Portugal for a longer time, as their elites were the most loyalists of the entire colony.