Niterói

Niterói on the map of Rio de Janeiro

Niteroi is a city in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. It has a population of 488,000 (as of 1 July 2010) and is a type of satellite town of the neighboring city of Rio de Janeiro. The municipality comprises 134 km ².

History

The city was founded on November 22, 1573 by the Tupi- Indio Araribóia (who later took the name of Martim Affonso de Souza ). Niterói is the only Brazilian city that was founded by an Indian.

After the war with France over the Guanabara Bay Araribóia requested by the Governor Mem de Sá a piece of land, which he called " Banda D' Além " ( "land behind "). His application was accepted and the village of São Lourenço dos Índios, Niteróis first name, was born.

In 1819 the village was recognized by the central government and got the new name, Vila Real da Praia Grande ( Royal City of the long beach ). The place at that time consisted of only the area in which is the center of Niterói today. The city grew on the former borders until the late 19th century addition, when there was a tram that allowed the expansion of the urban area. In the early 20th century began the industrialization of the city.

In the years 1834 to 1975 than the present state of Rio de Janeiro was divided into two states, on the one hand the state of Rio de Janeiro and on the other hand the Federal District and in 1960 the state Guanabara with the then capital of Rio de Janeiro, was Niterói - with an interruption from 1894 to 1903, when the city of Petrópolis, the capital of the state was - as the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro. On March 15, 1975, the State of Guanabara was merged with the State of Rio de Janeiro and new capital has since Rio de Janeiro.

The name Niterói got the city on March 6, 1835. The original spelling was Nictheroy, this name from the Tupi language means " hidden water ". On this occasion the place that officially was a village until then, was a town.

On 17 December 1961, in the city of a circus fire occurred. With a visited by about 2500 people performance of the Circus Grande Norte Americano circus tent caught fire and collapsed. There were 323 dead and 500 injured. The investigation revealed later arson by disgruntled circus employees. First, an electric short circuit is suspected. Until today this disaster is hushed in Niterói.

The city is only about 5 km from Rio de Janeiro and is connected to it by a bridge and ferry service. Today Niterói is one of the Brazilian cities with the best quality of life. The landmark of the city is the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, a contemporary art museum, which was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Archdiocese of Niterói

  • Archdiocese of Niterói

Personalities

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Antonio Callado, journalist and writer
  • Orlando Peçanha de Carvalho, football player
  • Daniel Lins Cortes, Brazil and New Zealand football player
  • Domingos Alexandre Rodrigo Dias da Costa, football player
  • George Ney de Souza Fernandes, diplomat
  • Marcia Haydée, dancer, choreographer and ballet director
  • Antonino Lisboa Mena Gonçalves, diplomat
  • Sérgio Mendes, pianist and arranger
  • Leopold Miguez, composer
  • Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo, football player
  • Gerson de Oliveira Nunes, football player
  • Bruno Fernandes de Souza, handball player
  • Edmundo Alves de Souza Neto, football player

Personalities associated with Niterói

  • Nilson Fanini (1932 - 2009), President of the Baptist World Alliance ( 1995-2009 ), was over 40 years pastor of the First Baptist Church Niterói.

Beaches in Niterói

  • Icaraí
  • São Francisco ( Saco is deprecated)
  • Itaipu
  • Itacoatiara
  • Piratininga
Guanabara (state) Antônio Callado Cabo Frio Saquarema Cordeiro Nova Friburgo Mangaratiba Belford Roxo Duque de Caxias Mesquita Queimados Campos dos Goytacazes Angra dos Reis Barra Mansa Itatiaia Rio Claro (Rio de Janeiro) Volta Redonda
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