Barcarena, Pará

Barcarena is an industrial city in the north of Brazil in the state of Pará. In 2010, the city had 99,859 inhabitants.

History

The first settlers in what is now the city area were Indians from the Amazon region. In 1709 the country was occupied by the Jesuits and was called Mission Geribirié. 1758 the village parish and under the name of the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier as São Barcarena was known.

The town charter and name change in Barcarena was announced by the State Law No. 494 of 1897. Since the territorial division of 1960, the city consists of two districts: Barcarena and Murucupi with the settlement, Vila dos Cabanos.

Economy

The city is an important industrial center by the processing and export of kaolin, alumina, aluminum, and cables for electric power transmission. The traditional economy is based on agriculture.