Lagoa dos Gatos

Lagoa dos Gatos is a town and head of municipality in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The municipality has an area of 233 km² and its population was of 16,100 in 2000.

Portuguese explorers first reached the place in the late 18th century, and it is presumed that José Cavalcanti Fragoso was the one to establish the settlement of Peri-Peri, which would later become the town. Lagoa dos Gatos was officially recognised as a populational gathering in 1832 and became a village in 1839. In 1928 it became a town and was renamed Frei Caneca, until 1938, when it changed back to its original name.

Local legends state that the name, which literally means "Cat's Lagoon", was used by its first explorers after sighting a few margays at a small lagoon.

In 1832 the mountainous surroundings of Lagoa dos Gatos played an important role at the "Guerra dos Cabanos" (War of Cabanos), one of the many uprisings in Brasil's first years of independence.

References

* Callado, João Pereira - "História de Lagoa dos Gatos" (1981)
* "Enciclopédia dos Municípios Pernambucanos"
* "Globo Rural nº180" – P. 80-83 – Out/2000 "Gatos Ameaçados"