Muriqui, Mangaratiba


Muriqui is a district of the municipality of Mangaratiba, located within the Greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is part of the Green Coast. Highway BR-101 passes through the district.

Etymology

The district was named after muriquis, a genus of spider monkeys. The name "muriqui" itself comes from a corruption of the word myraqui, of the Tupi language, with the alternates buriqui, barigui and baregui. According to Alcides Pissinatti, in "Management of Muriquis in Captivity" :
Other sources claim the word comes from the Tupi words jemoroo and aiké.

History

As a part of a series of expansions to the Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil, on November 7, 1914, the Muriqui train station was inaugurated.
On December 1, 1949, via a legislative decree, the district of vila de Muriqui is delimited on land previously belonging to the district of Itacuruçá, and annexed to the municipality of Mangaratiba.

Population

Fauna and Flora

Muriqui is surrounded mostly by Atlantic Forest, which heavily influences its fauna and flora.

Hydrography

Muriqui is centered between two rivers, with Rio Catumbi to the east and Rio Muriqui to the west.
To mitigate the risk of flooding, both rivers are periodically dredged.