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São Luís, capital of Maranhão, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the colonial period. Founded on September 8, 1612 by the French, under the command of Daniel de La Touche, the city was initially called França do Maranhão. The intention of the French was to establish a colony in Brazil, but, in 1615, the Portuguese, who had already arrived on the coast of Maranhão, took control of the region and renamed the city São Luís, in honor of King Louis XIII of France, as a symbol of Portuguese victory. During the 17th century, the city established itself as an important commercial and strategic point, due to its privileged location between the sea and the rivers that connect the interior. Over time, São Luís became a center of Portuguese colonization and, later, of African and indigenous influences, which shaped its culture, especially with regard to music, dance and cuisine. Today, São Luís is one of the main tourist destinations in the Brazilian Northeast, being known for its rich cultural heritage, its traditional rhythms such as Bumba Meu Boi and for its ethnic diversity, the result of the mixture of European colonizers, African and indigenous peoples.