Nova Iorque

Nova Iorque is a municipality in northeastern Brazil located in Maranhão state. The town occupies a rural area with natural terrain and functions as a planned administrative region.

The municipality was founded in 1890 by an American engineer who named it after his hometown. A major turning point came in 1964 when the entire settlement had to be relocated due to hydroelectric plant construction.

The name reflects a connection to an American engineer who shaped the area and chose his hometown as inspiration for this place. Local residents maintain deep roots in the agricultural traditions of the region.

The area sits in a rural region of northern Brazil with typical tropical climate and relatively basic infrastructure. Visitors should expect local conditions and longer travel times to reach larger cities.

The settlement exists at this exact location because of the 1964 relocation, which meant an entire town had to be rebuilt elsewhere. This made it one of the rare Brazilian municipalities that experienced a complete physical renewal and resettlement.

Location: Maranhão

Elevation above the sea: 178 m

Shares border with: Pastos Bons, Benedito Leite, Guadalupe, Porto Alegre do Piauí, São João dos Patos

GPS coordinates: -6.73389,-44.04389

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27