Maracás, Municipality in eastern Bahia, Brazil
Maracás is a municipality in eastern Bahia situated at roughly 960 meters elevation in a region marked by caatinga vegetation and diverse animal species. The area spreads across hilly terrain dotted with dry shrubs and grasslands typical of this semi-arid landscape.
The area was first explored in 1659 by Portuguese bandeirantes seeking fertile lands. The settlement was formally established as a municipality in 1855 after colonists had settled there.
The name comes from a musical instrument played by indigenous Cariri people who once made their homes in this area.
The municipality connects to Salvador via state and federal highways roughly 365 kilometers away. The dry season offers the best conditions for travel and exploring the surrounding countryside.
Since 2014, the municipality has been extracting vanadium, a rare mineral used in aerospace and technology industries. This mining activity has significantly reshaped the local economy.
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