Maragogi - Alagoas - Brasil

 city, municipality

Maragogi (25,726 inhabitants), 130 km south of Recife and 125 km north of Maceió, is a city situated on the northern coast of Alagoas state, Brazil, a region with fine beaches surrounded by coconut trees and sunny weather all the year round. Main destination in the State of Alagoas after its capital city, Maragogi attracts visitors from Maceió and Recife. It offers calm-wave beaches, coral reefs and a huge natural pool known as Galés. From Japaratinga beach, on the southern tip, a ferryboat crosses Manguaba River into Porto das Pedras, where visitors find virtually deserted beaches. Maragogi was initially a small village called Gamela. In 1887, it was granted the status of a Town and adopted the name of Isabel, to honor the Brazilian Princess who signed a law ending slavery in Brazil. Later on, in 1892, it was named as Maragogi after the river that baths the city. “Maragogi”, according to some historians, comes from “Marahub-gy”, or river of the Marauba tribes.

Geography
Maragogi is a Municipality of 334 square kilometers located on the Northeast Coast of Brazil in the State of Alagoas. It is equidistant (about 125 kilometers) from the state capitols of Maceio, AL and Recife, PE.


Climate
Maragogi has a typical tropical climate, with warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity all throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and pleasant trade winds blowing from the ocean. January is the warmest month, with mean maxima of 31°C and minima of 22°C and more sun; July experiences the coolest temperatures, with means of 26°C and 17°C and more rain.


Vegetation
Maragogi has a Tropical forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum normal annual rainfall between 2,000 mm (about 78 inches or 2 meters) and 1700 mm (about 67 inches). The soil can be poor because high rainfall tends to leach out soluble nutrients. There are several common characteristics of tropical rainforest trees. Tropical rainforest species frequently possess one or more of the following attributes not commonly seen in trees of higher latitudes or trees in drier conditions on the same latitude.


Demographics

The Zona da Mata in Alagoas State. High population density.As of the census of 2007, the population was 25,726 hab.


Maragogi Ethnic Groups
According to the 2007 census, the racial makeup of the city was:

Majority White and Mixed.
Minority Black.

Maragogi Demographics History
1. Amerindians, Brazil's indigenous population, came from human groups that migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait around 9000 BC.

2. Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.

3. Diverse groups of immigrants from Europe arriving in Maragogi during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. And now, because of tourism.

4. African slaves brought to the country from 1530 until the end of the slave trade in 1850.


Economy

Tourism
Maragogi is located on the Coral Coast – Costa dos Corais – 130 kilometers of continuous living tropical reefs on the coast of Northeast Brazil. The municipality is the second most visited city after Maceio the state capitol of Alagoas. Its major attraction is the "Galés", a group of extraordinary tropical pools formed at low tide about 6 kilometers from the city’s beach. They are served by 15 large registered catamarans leaving from various points in the municipal area. Individual tours are also available. Here tourists are able to appreciate different marine species and swim surrounded by colorful fish. Moreover, along the 22 kilometers of pristine beaches bordering Maragogi’s wide, transparent tropical lagoon, there are many other natural wonders and scenes of great beauty to discover. There is something for everyone and every pocketbook. As a tourist destination, Maragogi is worth much more than a day trip to the “Galés”. The 334 square kilometers of Maragogi’s municipality are filled with history, both of the battles between Dutch and Portuguese colonizers as well as the growth of the sugar cane and coconut plantations that formed the first wealth of the region. Today, it is tourism that provides the most important economic impact in the region. But, its potential remains unexplored. Even so, the busy waterfront in the City of Maragogi has a variety of restaurants, stores and stalls selling local arts and crafts. Although the area's resorts specialize in a more active nightlife, many of the smaller pousadas strive to meet the personal needs of their guests with exceptional service. The Coral Coast's beaches are an invitation to relax and luxuriate in the warm transparent calm waters of the beaches or walk for miles on its dazzling, hard packed sand lined by tall coconut trees. Trips to snorkel or scuba dive the reefs can be interspersed by excursions on the wide and secure reefs themselves or a sail (or even fish) on the local “jangada” sailing rafts. Up on the reef, at low tide, pools are formed where an aquarium of colorful fish can be viewed. Many of the beaches are virtually deserted and a treat for those that enjoy shelling. These same beaches and other rural attractions can be accessed by renting beach buggies readily available at the hotels and pousadas. The region has a great variety of accommodations, from resorts to comfortable guest houses. Its inns or “pousadas”, range from simple bed and breakfasts to some exceptional and exclusive private getaways for the rich and famous. Many can be found at the web sites www.maragogi.tur.br and www.maragogi.com. Also, consider exploring towards the south the beach communities of Japaratinga and taking the sandy rural road to the ferryboat crossing the Manguaba River into the picturesque small town of Porto das Pedras and south toward São Miguel dos Milagres along a well marked asphalt road that parallels kilometers and kilometers of fabulous, untouched seascape.


Attractions
The Salinas Maragogi Resort Planned to ensure comfort and functionality, Salinas was designed to integrate with local landscape, offering the sensation of a close and intimate contact with nature.

Maragogi Beach Beaches in Maragogi have calm waters, without strong waves, with coral reefs and fine sands. During low tide, sand banks emerge forming natural pools, known as Croas (5 km away from the coast) and Galés (6 km away). “Jangadas” (sailing boats typical of Northern Brazil) and boats can take tourists to these pools. On the beach’s southern tip, between Vila de Japaratinga and Pontal, visitors find the less urbanized beaches with 20-m high sea cliffs. Visitors can also go on a boat ride to coral reefs 6 km away from the coast. Maragogi beach is near Maragogi River, with calm waves, fine and flat sands and coral reefs.


Alcohol in Alagoas State (Clean Air)

Sugarcane in Maceió, Alagoas.Alagoas State has the 3º highest sugarcane Brazilian production.Brazil is by far the largest producer of alcohol fuel in the world, typically fermenting ethanol from sugarcane and sugar beets. The country produces a total of 18 billion liters annually, of which 3.5 billion are exported, 2 billion of them to the US. Alcohol cars debuted in the Brazilian market in 1978 and became quite popular because of heavy subsidy, but in the 80's prices rose and gasoline regained the leading market share. But from 2004 on, alcohol is rapidly rising its market share once again because of new technologies involving hybrid fuel car engines called "Flex" by all major car manufacturers (Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Peugeot, Honda, Fiat, etc.). "Flex" engines work with gasoline, alcohol or any mixture of both fuels. As of February 2007, approx. 80% of new vehicles sold in Brazil are hybrid fuel Because of the Brazilian leading production and technology, many countries became very interested in importing alcohol fuel and adopting the "Flex" vehicle concept. In March 7th of 2007, US president George W. Bush visited the city of São Paulo to sign agreements with Brazilian president Lula on importing alcohol and its technology as an alternative fuel.


Culture

Festas Juninas

Fireworks in Saint John Festival.Festa Junina was introduced to Northeastern Brazil by the Portuguese for whom St John's day (also celebrated as Midsummer Day in several European countries), on the 24th of June, is one of the oldest and most popular celebrations of the year. Differently, of course, from what happens on the European Midsummer Day, the festivities in Brazil do not take place during the summer solstice but during the tropical winter solstice. The festivities traditionally begin after the 12th of June, on the eve of St Anthony's day, and last until the 29th, which is Saint Peter's day. During these fifteen days, there are bonfires, fireworks, and folk dancing in the streets. Once exclusively a rural festivity, today, in Brazil, it is largely a city festival during which people joyfully and theatrically mimic peasant stereotypes and cliches in a spirit of joke and good time. Typical refreshments and dishes are served. It should be noted that, like during Carnival, these festivities involve costumes-wearing (in this case, peasant costumes), dancing, heavy drinking, and visual spectacles (fireworks display and folk dancing). Like what happens on Midsummer and St John's Day in Europe, bonfires are a central part of these festivities in Brazil.


Carnival
The four-day period before Lent leading up to Ash Wednesday is carnival time in Brazil. Rich and poor alike forget their cares as they party in the streets.