São Mateus, Espírito Santo

São Mateus is the eighth oldest municipality in Brazil and the seventh most populous in the state of Espírito Santo. Founded on September 21, 1544, it gained municipal autonomy in 1764. Originally named Povoado do Cricaré, it was renamed São Mateus in 1566 by Father Joseph of Anchieta. According to 2019 IBGE estimates, its population is approximately 130,000 inhabitants. São Mateus is considered a milestone in the colonization of Espírito Santo's territory.

It has the largest Afro-descendant population in the state, a legacy of the Port of São Mateus, which, until the mid-19th century, was a major entry point for enslaved Africans in Brazil. The municipality also includes descendants of Italian immigrants, who contributed to the colonization of its rural hinterlands.

Its economy is driven by service provision and the exploration and production of petroleum. Petroleum fields were discovered in the 1970s, with further expansion in the 1980s. In the 2000s, the North Capixaba Terminal was established in the Campo Grande region to handle the region's production output.

Located at a latitude of 18º42'58" South and a longitude of 39º51'21" West, São Mateus sits at an altitude of 36 meters. Its total area is 2,338.727 square kilometres (902.988 sq mi), representing 5.12% of Espírito Santo's territory. It borders Boa Esperança, Pinheiros, and Conceição da Barra to the north; São Gabriel da Palha, Vila Valério, Jaguaré, and Linhares to the south; the Atlantic Ocean to the east; and Nova Venécia to the west. It is 215 kilometres (134 mi) from the state capital, Vitória. São Mateus is also known for its strong tourism appeal, both historical and seasonal. The carnival in Guriri, the municipality's main beach resort, is one of the liveliest in the state and is nationally recognized, attracting many tourists, particularly from Minas Gerais.