São João de Meriti

São João de Meriti
Municipality of São João de Meriti
Church of Saint John the Baptist
Nickname: 
Formigueiro das Américas ("Americas' Anthill")
Location of São João de Meriti
São João de Meriti
Coordinates: 22°48′14″S 43°22′19″W / 22.80389°S 43.37194°W / -22.80389; -43.37194
Country Brazil
RegionSoutheast
State Rio de Janeiro
City EstablishedDecember 8, 1954
Government
  MayorLéo Vieira (Republicans)
  Demonymmeritiense
Area
  Total
34.838 km2 (13.451 sq mi)
Elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2022)
  Total
440,962
  Density13,000/km2 (33,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)

São João de Meriti (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ʒuˈɐ̃w dʒi meɾiˈtʃi, - miɾ-]) is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Its historical name was São João do Rio Meriti. Its population was 440,962 inhabitants in 2022. It is located in the region of Baixada Fluminense, having 34.996 km2 (13.451 square miles).

The city is known as "Americas' Anthill", because its population density is one of the highest in the continent (13,185/km2 or 34,815/sq mi).