# Law No. 4182 of December 13, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648486)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4182-of-december-13-1962

## Summary
Law No. 4182 of December 13, 1962, is a Brazilian statute enacted to rename the Federal Territory of Rio Branco to the Federal Territory of Roraima. Enacted during the government of President João Goulart, this law formalized a territorial reorganization in northern Brazil, reflecting administrative adjustments in the country’s geopolitical structure. It remains a key legal document in Brazil’s historical legislative framework.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 4182, de 13 de dezembro de 1962  
- **Enacted By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President João Goulart)  
- **Publication Date:** December 13, 1962  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil  
- **Purpose:** Renamed the Federal Territory of Rio Branco to the Federal Territory of Roraima  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4182/1962  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese  
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília  
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-13;4182  
- **Associated Project:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws  
- **Effective Date:** December 13, 1962 (date of promulgation)  

## FAQs
**What was the primary purpose of Law No. 4182 of 1962?**  
This law officially renamed the Federal Territory of Rio Branco to the Federal Territory of Roraima, formalizing a territorial designation that later contributed to Roraima’s statehood in 1988.  

**Who enacted Law No. 4182?**  
The law was approved by President João Goulart on December 13, 1962, as part of his executive authority under Brazil’s federal legislative process.  

**When did the law take effect?**  
The law became effective immediately upon its publication in the *Diário Oficial da União* on December 13, 1962.  

**Why was the name "Roraima" chosen?**  
The name derives from the Pemon language, referring to Mount Roraima, a prominent geographical feature in the region. The renaming aimed to strengthen regional identity and administrative clarity.  

**Is this law still relevant today?**  
While the Federal Territory of Roraima became a state in 1988, Law No. 4182 remains a foundational document in Brazil’s legal history, illustrating the evolution of its territorial organization.  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4182 of 1962 is significant for its role in Brazil’s territorial administration, marking a step toward the modern configuration of its states. The renaming of Rio Branco to Roraima underscored the government’s efforts to integrate northern regions into the national framework, addressing logistical and geopolitical challenges. This law also reflects broader trends in Brazil’s 20th-century administrative reforms, which aimed to consolidate federal control over remote territories. Its procedural enactment under President Goulart highlights the executive branch’s authority in territorial matters, leaving a lasting legacy in Brazil’s legal and geographical identity.  

## Notable For  
- **Renaming of a Federal Territory:** Directly altered the official designation of a major administrative region in northern Brazil.  
- **Procedural Example:** Demonstrates Brazil’s legislative process for territorial reorganization during the mid-20th century.  
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the populist government of João Goulart, preceding the 1964 military coup.  
- **Geopolitical Impact:** Contributed to the eventual statehood of Roraima in 1988 under the 1988 Constitution.  
- **Cultural Significance:** Recognized indigenous geographical nomenclature (Mount Roraima) in federal legislation.  

## Body  

### History and Enactment  
Law No. 4182 was promulgated on December 13, 1962, by President João Goulart, a key figure in Brazil’s Second Republic. The law followed a legislative process initiated in the National Congress, culminating in the presidential sanction that formally renamed the Federal Territory of Rio Branco. This action aligned with broader efforts to modernize Brazil’s administrative divisions, particularly in the sparsely populated northern regions. The territory in question, located in the Guiana Shield, was strategically important due to its border with Venezuela and British Guiana (now Guyana).  

### Jurisdiction and Application  
The law applied exclusively to the Federal Territory of Rio Branco, a region established in 1943 to consolidate Brazilian sovereignty over its northernmost areas. By renaming it Roraima, the government sought to enhance regional identity and streamline administrative governance. The territory remained a federal district until 1988, when the 1988 Constitution elevated it to statehood alongside other territories like Amapá, Rondônia, and Tocantins.  

### Legal Context  
As a statute (formal written law), Law No. 4182 exemplifies Brazil’s codified legal system, where legislative acts are primary sources of statutory law. It was published in the *Diário Oficial da União*, Brazil’s official gazette, ensuring legal validity and public accessibility. The law’s structure adhered to standard Brazilian legislative formatting, including a preamble, articles, and a signature by the president and relevant ministers.  

### Legacy and Impact  
While Law No. 4182 focused on a nominal change, its long-term significance lies in its contribution to Roraima’s political development. The renaming helped solidify the territory’s distinct identity, which became critical during the 1988 constitutional debates. Today, Roraima is one of Brazil’s 26 states, underscoring the law’s role as a precursor to full statehood. The document also serves as a reference for scholars studying Brazil’s territorial evolution and 20th-century administrative policies.  

### Technical and Procedural Details  
- **LexML Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-13;4182 (unique digital identifier for legal documents).  
- **Related Projects:** Included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, a collaborative effort to document Brazilian legislation on Wikimedia platforms.  
- **Accessibility:** The full text is available via the Brazilian Senate’s legislative database and the Presidency’s legal portal.  
- **Language and Format:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese, following standard Portuguese legal terminology and structure.  

### Connected Entities  
- **João Goulart:** President of Brazil from 1961 to 1964, whose government enacted the law.  
- **Roraima:** The state that succeeded the Federal Territory of Roraima after 1988.  
- **Mount Roraima:** A iconic flat-topped mountain shared with Venezuela and Guyana, namesake of the territory.  
- **1988 Constitution:** The constitutional document that granted statehood to Roraima and other territories.  

### Historical Significance  
Enacted just two years before the 1964 military coup, Law No. 4182 represents one of the final legislative acts of Brazil’s democratic government prior to the dictatorship (1964–1985). This timing situates the law within a broader narrative of political instability and institutional reform in mid-20th-century Brazil. Despite its narrow scope, the statute reflects the enduring challenge of balancing federal authority with regional autonomy in Brazil’s vast and diverse territory.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-12-13;4182)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4182&ano=1962&data=13/12/1962&ato=b51QTTE5kMVRVTeba)
3. LexML Brasil