Life in Macaé                                               Last updated March 2007

These pages are under construction and need plenty of input from all MIWC members. Please forward your info to the webmaster Thank you.

This publication was prepared as a result of a joint effort by Macaé’s expatriate community.  The information contained here is as accurate as possible, but is not intended to be the sole source.  Please forgive any inaccuracies or mistakes.
 

Quick Facts

Brazil
Macaé

Brazil extends from the Amazonian equatorial plains at latitude 4 degrees north to cool uplands at 30 degrees south where frost occurs frequently.  Brazil borders all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador.  To the east, the Brazilian coastline runs 4,600 miles (7,400 km) along the Atlantic Ocean. 

The vast regions of the Amazon and La Plata river basins occupy about three-fifths of the total area.  The country’s main feature is the huge plateau, which rises from 1,000 to 3,000 feet (300 - 900 meters) above sea level between São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.  Although Brazil is immense in size and varies in topography from the sweeping sea level Amazon basin south to the mountainous areas of São Paulo and Porto Alegre, the temperature range is slight.  Summer is from December to February and the rainy season runs from October to March, but varies by region.
 

The city of Macaé is located on the coast 188 km North of Rio de Janeiro, and holds an estimated population of 100,000. 

There are over 10 beaches in the county - some remain native, providing the enjoyable shade of palm trees and pines; others are good for swimming, diving and fishing.  The lagoon of Imboassica is a popular site for windsurfing and sailing. 

Macaé’s three offshore islands (Santana archipelago) have been declared an environmental protection area.  Visitation is allowed upon authorization from the Port Authority. 

The nearby mountains, including Friar’s Peak reaching 1750 meters (5,741 ft), are popular for hiking and cross-country bicycling.  Waterfalls and creeks provide swimming and fishing options. 

Adventurers in search of Brazil wood were attracted to this area as far back as the 17th century.  The city was founded by Jesuits who kept the name, meaning ‘Catfish River’, given by local Indians. 

The main historical structure in town is the Church of Sant’Ana, built in 1630.  The ‘Castelo’ school building, formerly called “Solar do Monte Elisio” was built by a viscount over a century ago. 

The local economy is based on fishing, farming, and - as you all know - oil drilling and production.

Early 2000 Jenny Macdonald was living in Macaé and an active member of the MIWC. While residing in Macaé she wrote her mpression about daily life in this city. If you are interested in reading her article then click on the following URL:

http://old.expatwoman.com/profiles.php?ID=41&geosplit=South%20America

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