Why Duque de Caxias
Duque de Caxias is a major city in southeastern Brazil, positioned along Guanabara Bay within the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Situated just 17 kilometers from downtown Rio de Janeiro, it borders the regional capital to its south. The city takes its name from Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, the Duke of Caxias, who was born in the area in 1803. Today, it stands as a prominent urban center and key economic hub in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The region's history dates back to 16th-century land grants, initially driven by sugarcane, corn, bean, and rice cultivation. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the territory served as a vital transit passageway for gold arriving from Minas Gerais and coffee shipped from the Paraíba Valley, with river ports such as Port of Estrela handling much of the movement. Following 19th-century deforestation, flooding, and mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, the region declined until major river-clearing and sanitation projects restored the landscape in the 20th century. Formerly part of Nova Iguaçu, Duque de Caxias officially became its own municipality on December 31, 1943.
Geographically, the municipality is defined by several river boundaries, including the Meriti River to the south, the Iguaçu River to the west, and the Sarapuí and Saracuruna rivers dividing internal districts. While the local climate is generally hot, northern districts such as Imbariê and Xerém benefit from cooler temperatures due to nearby greenery and proximity to the Serra dos Órgãos range. Natural attractions within the city limits include portions of the Tinguá Biological Reserve, the Central Rio de Janeiro Atlantic Forest Mosaic, and the Taquara Municipal Nature Park, which draws up to 4,000 visitors per month during the summer.
Economically, Duque de Caxias hosts an expansive industrial sector featuring a gas-chemical complex, a thermoelectric plant, and the REDUC petroleum refinery. Commercial activity is heavily concentrated around busy street markets on José Alvarenga and Nilo Peçanha streets. The municipality is also an educational center, housing campuses for UNIGRANRIO, FEUDUC, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Xerém. Local sports feature prominently, with matches hosted at the 10,000-capacity Estádio Romário de Souza Faria and Xerém's 11,000-capacity Estádio De Los Larios.
Duque de Caxias is accessible through an extensive transit network. The city is served by eleven railway stations along the Saracuruna branch line connecting Central Station to Magé. Major thoroughfares—including the Red Line, Yellow Line, President Dutra Highway, Avenida Brasil, and Highway BR-040—provide direct road connections across the region and offer quick access to Tom Jobim International Airport.
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