Paraíba do Sul

Paraíba do Sul is a municipality in Rio de Janeiro comprising four districts that together form the administrative area. The landscape sits at moderate elevation and is shaped by agricultural lands where sugarcane and corn are grown.

The settlement was founded in 1681 when Garcia Rodrigues Paes discovered a strategic location linking gem mines inland with Rio de Janeiro's port. This positioning made it an important connection point between interior mining and coastal trade.

Bronze statues of international figures like Yasser Arafat and Che Guevara stand in the municipality, reflecting how the community connects with global personalities. These monuments show an openness to figures and ideas from beyond Brazil's borders.

The location is easily reached via major routes like BR-101, making travel to and exploration of the region straightforward. Visitors can explore the area most freely by using local roads and visiting the different districts at their own pace.

The village of Sebolas holds the sole known tomb of Tiradentes, a central figure in Brazil's independence struggle. This site draws visitors interested in understanding the country's path to freedom.

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Elevation above the sea: 331 m

Shares border with: Areal, Belmiro Braga, Comendador Levy Gasparian, Paty do Alferes, Petrópolis, Rio das Flores, Três Rios, Vassouras

Website: http://paraibadosul.rj.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -22.16194,-43.29278

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:25