Alcântara, Maranhão
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Alcântara is a Brazilian city in the state of Maranhão. The city has a population of 22,359 (2005), and is 30 km away from the state's capital, São Luís.
Founded by French explorers in the 16th century, Alcântara was later conquered by the Portuguese, who used the small village as a base to take São Luís from the Dutch in 1646.
The city was declared by the Brazilian government as a National Historical Patrimony. The city's economy is based mainly on tourism and fishing.
The Brazilian Space Agency maintains a launch site in Alcântara. In August 22, 2003, an accident occurred when a VLS-1 rocket accidentally exploded, killing 21 Brazilian technicians.
Helton da Silva Arruda, a famous Brazilian football (soccer) goalkeeper, was born in the city.
