Niterói is a city of the Brésil, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The population is of approximately 440  000 people and it occupies a surface of 130 km.

The city was founded the November 22nd, 1573 by an Amerindian called Araribòia, which was famous later like Martim Affonso de Souza. Niterói is the only Brazilian city rested by an Amerindian.

After the war against the France for the control of the Bay of Guanabara, Araribòia petitioned general Governeur, Mem de Sá, to receive, like reward, of the grounds beyond the bay which it called “Bandaged D' Além” (Ground of over there). Its request was satisfied and the village of “São Lourenço back Índios”, the first name of the city, was created.

In 1819, the village was recognized by the central government and received the new name of “Villa Real da Praia Grande” (Royal Village of the Great Beach), which is the center of the city. The expansion of the urbanization intervened at the end of the 19th century, when a service of funicular began its operations. At the beginning of the 20th century the industrialization of the city started.

The name “Niterói” means “water hidden” in Tupi and was officially adopted the March 6th, 1835, but it was spelled “Nictheroy”, until half of the 20th century. On this occasion the village was high in the condition of city.

Division of the State of Rio de Janeiro

For the period (1834 - 1975) the State of Rio de Janeiro was divided into two with that of Guanabara, in which the capital was found (Federal District) between 1834 - 1894 and 1903 - 1975; for the period ranging between 1894 and 1903, the town of Petrópolis was useful like capital of the state, Niteròi was the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The March 15th 1975, both were reunified and the town of Rio de Janeiro is become again the capital. The known law as “Ato Adicional” of 1834 is the legal act which raised the town of Niteròi in the condition of capital of the State.

In the Années 1990 the administrative division of the city was changed.

Proximity

The city is located at 13 km of that of Rio de Janeiro, to which it is connected by the Pont Rio-Niterói and a service of catamarans. Quality of life with Niteròi is among the best in Brazil according to UNO and the Musée of Contemporary art of Niteròi, the emblematic building, was conceived by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The cariocas have fun to say that the most beautiful thing with Niteròi is the sight on Rio de Janeiro. In fact, Niterói, is very related to the town of Rio de Janeiro. Most of its population works there. What explains the great movement on the Pont Rio-Niterói the every day, between 7:00 and 10:00 of the morning towards Rio and Niterói, of 17:00 to 20:00.

Personalities related to the city

• Torben Grael, quintuple Olympic medal of veil.

Random links:

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