Macaé, Petroleum industry capital in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil
Macaé is a coastal city in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, known as the center of Brazilian offshore oil extraction. The urban area sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the forested hills of the interior, offering both sandy beaches and modern industrial facilities.
The municipality received official status in 1813 but remained a quiet coastal settlement until the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in the 1970s. Oil extraction in the Campos Basin transformed the place completely, bringing workers, companies, and technical infrastructure.
The harbor grew as a direct result of the petroleum industry and now serves as a supply station for dozens of offshore rigs. Fishing boats and supply vessels share the docking area, showing the economic shift the place has undergone.
The city works well as a base for trips to nearby nature reserves and for excursions to remote coastal stretches. The central area is walkable, while distant beaches typically require a vehicle.
A protected reserve nearby hosts golden lion tamarins living in the trees, a species found only in a small area of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. The animals are easier to spot in the early morning when they are more active.
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