Araruama, Administrative division in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
Araruama is a coastal city in Rio de Janeiro state with a sprawling lagoon system separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land. The center clusters around several squares lined with low buildings, while residential neighborhoods extend along roads leading to the lagoon and ocean beaches.
The area was home to indigenous Tupinambá people before the 16th century, when Portuguese settlers established early villages along the coast. The current city received official status in 1890 after salt extraction from the lagoon became an important economic activity.
Local fishers launch their boats at dawn directly from the lagoon shore and sell their catch along the roadside each morning. Many families prepare salted and dried fish specialties in their homes, following recipes handed down through generations.
You can reach the city through several intercity roads from the greater Rio de Janeiro area, with buses departing regularly from the station. The area is best explored with your own vehicle, as distances between lagoon shores, beaches, and neighborhoods can be considerable.
The high salt content in the lagoon makes the water unusually clear even in deeper sections, offering swimmers unusual visibility. Some stretches along the shore change color with the seasons as sediments and algae shift.
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