Camaragibe

Camaragibe (population 156,736) is a city in the Northeastern region of Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco. It lies near Recife at 8.00° South, 35.04° West.

Currently, Camaragibe is run by Nadegi Queiroz (from the political party Republicans) and Délio Junior (The Vice-mayor).

The lands now belonging to the city were used as a reserve of wood, and then for sugar planting. It was populated by natives, until the arrival of Portuguese with Duarte Coelho Pereira, around 1500. After the Portuguese arrival, however, the natives were not completely driven from the area. Instead, they lived "peacefully" with the invaders.

In the 16th century the city (then just an engenho) was considered one of richest in the region until the Dutch invasion in 1645. At that time, the farm was burned to the ground by the natives.

On 13 May 1982, Camaragibe, which was then part of the bigger city São Lourenço da Mata, was elevated to the category of city.

The small city is considered among the most densely populated urban areas in the world because of the very accelerated growth that the city experienced from the emancipation until now.

Geography

 * State - Pernambuco
 * Region - RMR (Recife)
 * Boundaries - Paulista (N), Sao Lourenco da Mata (S), Paudalho (W), Recife (E)
 * Area - 55.08 km2
 * Elevation - 55 m
 * Hydrography - Capibaribe and Beberibe rivers
 * Vegetation - Hidrofila, capoeira, and sugarcane plantation
 * Climate - Hot tropical and humid
 * Annual average temperature - 25.1 °C
 * Main road - PE 005
 * Distance to Recife - 16 km

Economy
The main economic activities in Camaragibe are based in commerce and general industry. Also is a main and terminal stop in the metropolitan train (subway or tube system), with integration with local bus lanes.

Economic Indicators
Economy by Sector 2006

Notable people

 * Hélio José Muniz Filho, Brazilian criminal suspected of killing 65 people
 * Érica de Sena, racewalker