Niterói

Niterói is a city in Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janeiro with a population of about 476,000. The municipality spreads over 130 km² (50.19 square miles). The geographic coordinates are 22°53′00″S, 43°06′13″W.

The city was founded on November 22, 1573 by a Tupi Indian named Araribóia (who later received the Christian name of Martim Afonso, to honor Martim Afonso de Souza). It is the only Brazilian city to have been founded by an indigenous Brazilian.

After the war with France for Guanabara Bay (in the so-called France Antarctique episode), Araribóia requested from the Governor-General, Mem de Sá, a piece of land, which he called "Banda D'Além" ("land beyond"). His request was granted, and the village of "São Lourenço dos Índios", Niterói's first name, was born.

Itacoatiara beach, Niterói

In 1819, the village was recognized as such by the central government, and received the new name of "Vila Real da Praia Grande" (Royal Village of Long Beach), which occupied only the area where today the centre of the city is. It only begun expanding beyond those limits in the late 19th century, when a tramway service begun circulating, allowing the expansion of urban construction. In the early 20th century, the city started its industrialization boom.

During the period (1834 - 1975) Rio de Janeiro State was divided in two: Rio de Janeiro and State of Guanabara (Federal District), where the national capital was. Niterói was elevated to capital of Rio de Janeiro State by the Ato Adicional of 1834 and served this function during this period (except between 1894 and 1903 when it was transferred to the city of Petrópolis). The two states were remerged on March 15, 1975 and the city of Rio de Janeiro was restored as state capital.

The city was officially renamed from "Vila Real da Praia Grande" to "Niterói" on March 6, 1835 after the Tupi Nictheroy (hidden waters) when it was also elevated from village to city status. The old spelling persisted until the mid-20th century.

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum

It is within 5 km (3.1 miles) of the Rio de Janeiro city, to which it is linked by the Rio-Niterói Bridge and a Ferry service. Quality of life in Niterói is one of the best (3rd place) among 5,600 Brazilian cities according to UN standards. The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, the city's landmark, was designed by the famous Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer. In the early 1990s, the administrative division of Niterói was altered.

The seat of the Fluminense Federal University, one of the most important research centers in Brazil, is located in Niterói.

The Niterói class of naval frigates is named after the city.