Ibiraçu, Espírito Santo

Ibiraçu is the name of a municipality and its capital in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Its population was 10,605 (2005) and its area is 200 km². [IBGE - [http://www.ibge.gov.br/cidadesat/default.php] ] . Bordering municipalities include João Neiva (N), Santa Teresa (W), Fundão (S).

History

Ibiraçu was founded circa 1877 by Italian families from the Genoa region. In Espírito Santo they colonized the headwaters of the Piraqueaçu River, through which they arrived to those areas. The area they settled was then known as Santa Cruz Colonial Nucleus, since the most accessible town to it was Santa Cruz, at the mouth of that river. The capital of this area was first known as Conde D'eu, and was later known by many names such as Bocaiúva (after the proclamation of the republic), Vila Guaraná (after it became a municipality), Pau Gigante in 1892 (meaning "giant tree", due to a large tree in the region), and only in 1942 did both the town and municipality gain Ibiraçu as their name. In recent history it is notable to mention the separation of João Neiva municipality.

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