Ilha do Governador, Residential island in Guanabara Bay, Brazil
Ilha do Governador covers 42 square kilometers in Guanabara Bay, making it the largest island in Rio de Janeiro's bay system. It divides into fourteen neighborhoods that range from residential areas to mixed settlements and connects to the mainland through bridges.
The island took its name in the 16th century when a colonial administrator built a country estate here. Over the following centuries it grew into a populated area that later underwent major transformation with the construction of the international airport.
The name refers to a colonial administrator who built a residence here in the 16th century. Today the island hosts a mix of middle-class residential neighborhoods and lively districts such as Morro do Dendê, where daily life and local traditions shape the street scene.
The international airport grounds occupy roughly one-third of the island and influence traffic patterns in certain areas. The remaining residential neighborhoods can be explored on foot or by local buses, with coastal sections offering a quieter feel.
Indigenous peoples called the area Paranapuã, which means sea branch in the old Tupi language. This original designation refers to the geographic location amid the waters of Guanabara Bay, which surround the landmass on all sides.
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