Itacoatiara, Amazonas

Itacoatiara is a Brazilian municipality. It's the third most populous town in the Brazilian state of Amazonas and it is located on the metropolitan area of Manaus, on the borders of Amazonas river. Its population was 90,889 (2009) and its area is 8,600 km². The town is part of the Amazonas central region and is also known as "Cidade da Pedra Pintada" - which is, actually, its name translated from Tupi. Itacoatiara has an important port, which is responsible for a considerable amount of cargo transportation in Amazonas.

History

• In 1655, a small village named Arroquis, on the Albi island, was created by Antônio Vieira.
• In 1757, the inhabitants of Abacaxi village moved to the other border of Amazonas river (left side border), where Itacoatiara is located nowadays.
• In 1758, Francisco Xavier de Mendonça passed by the region for the second time in order to found the Capitania de São José do Rio Negro.
• In 1759, the small village is officially elevated to the category of village, being called Serpa. Itacoatiara became an actual town by law 74 of December 10, 1857 but in 1858 it was considered a village once more, being called then Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Serpa. Finally, on April 25, 1874, by law 283, Itacoatiara was again elevated to the category of town with its current name.