Braganza

Braganza may refer to:

See also

Bragança, Portugal

Bragança (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾɐˈɣɐ̃sɐ], Mirandese: Bergáncia, English: Braganza) is a city and municipality in north-eastern Portugal, capital of district of Bragança, in Alto Trás-os-Montes subregion of Portugal. The population in 2011 was 35,341, in an area of 1173.57 km².

History

Archeological evidence permits a determination of human settlement in this region to the Paleolithic. During the Neolithic there was a growth of productive human settlements which concentrated on planting and domestication of animals, with the beginnings of a nascent religion. There are many vestiges of these ancient communities, including ceramics, agricultural implements, weights, arrowheads and modest jewelry, all forged from rock. Many of these artefacts were found in funerary mounds, such as the tumulus of Donai (mostly destroyed). There are many signs of megalthic constructions dotted throughout the region. It is believed that the larger proto-historic communities developed in Terra Fria, probably in the final part of the Bronze Age (1000-700 BC). During this period, the Castro culture of fortified urban structures resulted in walled settlements, situated in elevated areas with a panoramic view, for defense. These communities were essentially survived on subsistence agriculture.

Braganza (company)

Braganza is a holding company owned by Per G. Braathen and his immediate family. Based in Oslo, Norway, it has several major investments in the transport and tourism industry. Some of the largest investments include Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park and Braathens Aviation, which owns three Swedish airlines: Golden Air, Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg.

The company was founded in 1938 by Ludvig G. Braathen and his shipping company, Ludvig G. Braathens Rederi. Until 1994 Braganza was the sole owner of Braathens SAFE, and held a partial ownership until 2001, when Norway's largest domestic airline was sold to the SAS Group for 1.1 billion Norwegian krone. The holding company has also previously owned Braathens Helikopter and Busy Bee.

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