Happy TravellerWelcome to Jacareí, the Capital of Beer in Brazil! Located in the state of São Paulo, Jacareí is a city known for its industrial production of paper, chemicals, glass, wire, and rubber. With a population of 235,416 (2020 est.) in an area of 464.27 km2, Jacareí is part of the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba e Litoral Norte and is located in the Paraíba do Suls valley. This region is highly industrialized, located between the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
History:
Jacareí was founded by Antonio Afonso and his sons in 1652 on land that belonged to Mogi das Cruzes. They built a chapel in honor of Our Lady of Conception. With the help of peaceful Indians, the village prospered. In 1953, it was elevated as a town and in 1849, as a city. Paraibuna (on December 7, 1812), Santa Branca (on February 20, 1841) and São José dos Campos (unknown date) were incorporated into the municipality of Jacareí. They were later dismembered: Sao José do Campos in 1767, Paraibuna in 1832 and Santa Branca in 1856. With the coffee cycle, the city begins to have paving, new roads and leisure activities, with a small population growth. It was one of the most important cities of the coffee cycle. At this time (late nineteenth century), industries were beginning to emerge, starting with the socks and the factory Biscoutos Jacareí (Jacareís cookies), taking a leap of development in the twentieth century.
Geography:
Jacareí is located in the Paraíba do Suls valley, which is the most important river in the east of the state. The municipality contains part of the 292,000 hectares (720,000 acres) Mananciais do Rio Paraíba do Sul Environmental Protection Area, created in 1982 to protect the sources of the Paraíba do Sul river. The city is surrounded by neighbor cities such as São José dos Campos, Santa Branca, Guararema, Jambeiro, Igaratá, and Santa Isabel.
Etimology:
The origin of the name Jacareí is not known but there are two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that in the past, the lakes and the Paraiba do Sul river relied on large numbers of alligators. In a fraternization, held on the river bank near the pond, a component of the group who was having fun next to the river, watching the large number of alligators made an observation: Jacaré, iih (alligator, iih). It was the simple interjection that, connected to the alligator, resulted in Jacareí. The second hypothesis is that the word came from a native Brazilian language (Tupi language) Icare-ig that means river of alligators.
Demography:
According to the Census of 2009, the total population of Jacareí was 212,824, with 183,377 living in urban areas and 7,914 living in rural areas. The population density was 415.85 inhabitants / Km ². The infant mortality rate was 16.67 per thousand, and the life expectancy was 70.80 years. The fertility rate was 2.19 children per woman, and the literacy rate was 93.97%. The Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.809, with an Income HDI of 0.752, Longevity HDI of 0.763, and Education HDI of 0.913.
Sister Cities:
Jacareí has two sister cities: Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Kawagoe, Japan.
If you’re looking for a unique travel experience, Jacareí is the perfect destination for you. With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious local cuisine, there’s something for everyone in this charming city. Come and discover the Capital of Beer in Brazil today!
