Nova Iguacu History, Brazil

Nova Iguacu, Brazil is a suburb of Rio de Janeiro.  It was once called Maxambamba and it is located in the Sarapui River valley, about 32 kilometers northwest of Rio. 

This city was given municipal status in the late early 1800’s and its name changed in 1916.  This city is home to many different industries, such as the production of chemicals, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.  It also has several agricultural plants that process citrus and other food products. 

It is a very poor city, but its population has rapidly increased since 1970.  It is now one of the largest cities in Brazil.  Nova Iguacu is close to the railroads and main highways that run from Rio De Janeiro to San Paulo.

This city is set in the Baixada Fluminese, which is a small area north of Rio de Janeiro.  In the earliest days of the city, it was home to the Amerindian before Portuguese colonists arrived.  The Amerindians and the Portuguese colonists fought in the sixteenth century and attempted to take over the establishment.  The Portuguese won and the Amerindians were completely exterminated.  This area then became a city that thrived on the export of the Or of the Minas Gerais and sugar cane. 

Most of the inhabitants are still Portuguese, and it is also the main language of the area.  Many people also speak English very well.  This area is now mainly a mixture of migrant workers and has an unusually high percentage of transvestites.  The city has recently adopted a new law stating there will be bathrooms available for the transvestites as well as men and women.