Macei贸 is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil.
The city is located between Munda煤 Lake and the Atlantic Ocean. The city proper has a total population of 922,458 inhabitants (year 2006) living under a tropical climate with average temperature of 25掳C (77掳F).
Around 1,180,000 people live in its Metropolitan Region of Macei贸 (year 2005). The city began in an old sugar mill and plantation complex around the 19th century. Its development started with the arrival of ships taking wood from Jaragu谩 bay.
With the installation of the sugar mills, Macei贸 started to export sugar, then tobacco, coconut, leather, and some spices. Prosperity made it possible for the settlement to become a village on December 5, 1815. Thanks to its continued growth, Macei贸 became the capital of the Alagoas Province on December 9, 1839.
Macei贸 is also a port city and due to its port development about 200 years ago it changed from a village into a city.
The new Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport connects Macei贸 with many Brazilian cities and also operates some international flights.
The city is home to the Federal University of Alagoas. |