Baixada Fluminense

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Map of the municipalities in Baixada Fluminense.

The Baixada Fluminense (standard Brazilian Portuguese: [ˌbajˈʃadɐ flumiˈnẽjsi]; local pronounce: [ˌbɐ(j)ˈʃadɐ flumɪˈnẽ(j)si] meaning Fluminense Lowlands or Fluminense Flats) is a region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, eastern Brazil. It is located on Guanabara Bay, between the City of Rio de Janeiro to the south, and the Serra dos Órgãos range of hills to the north.

Its government is separate from that of the city of Rio de Janeiro, however is often considered to be part of the Greater Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. The Baixada Fluminense region’s population is about three million, making it the second most populous region in the state, following only the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Geography

The Baixada Fluminense includes the municipalities of Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, São João de Meriti, Nilópolis, Belford Roxo, Queimados and Mesquita, all north of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The municipalities of Magé and Guapimirim (to the east), Japeri, Paracambi and Seropédica.

History

18th century

Until the 19th century, the region was known as the Baixada da Guanabara. It experienced some development during the 18th century, when it was an important corridor for transporting gold mined in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais.

19th century

In the 19th century was one of the first regions to develop coffee plantations. However, during the reign of Emperor Pedro II the region suffered serious economic decline due to the creation of railroads, which led to a sharp decline in the traffic on the region’s rivers and roads.

20th century

In the early 20th century the area experienced a great influx of persons arriving from other parts of the country, mainly from Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Northeastern Brazil, in search of a better quality of life near Rio de Janeiro, which at the time was the capital of Brazil.

In the second half of the 20th century, the region acquired a reputation for poverty, crime and inadequate social services, which continues to this day. Favelas are located here.

Large marsh drainage projects were undertaken in order to improve sanitary conditions.