Igarassu

Igarassu is a coastal municipality in Pernambuco featuring terrain marked by flat plateaus and gentle elevations across its landscape. The settlement spans a wide area and connects coastal characteristics with rolling interior regions.

Portuguese settlers founded the town in 1537, establishing it as the second oldest permanent urban settlement in Brazil. This early foundation enabled the development of trade routes and the spread of colonial infrastructure along the coast.

The Church of Saints Cosme and Damião built in 1535 remains at the heart of local religious life and draws visitors seeking colonial architecture and active worship. It serves as a gathering place where traditions have been maintained across centuries.

The city is easily reached via federal highways BR-101 and PE-035, which connect to neighboring coastal towns and inland areas. Visitors will find industrial and commercial zones that make the region accessible for both leisure and business activities.

The Charles Darwin Ecological Reserve protects segments of Atlantic Forest where researchers study ferns in controlled natural settings. This protected area offers visitors a chance to explore a quiet place where research over decades has deepened understanding of these distinctive forest ecosystems.

Location: Pernambuco

Elevation above the sea: 20 m

Shares border with: Abreu e Lima, Araçoiaba, Goiana, Ilha de Itamaracá, Itapissuma, Itaquitinga, Paulista, Tracunhaém

Website: http://igarassu.pe.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -7.83389,-34.90583

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:02