Bonito, Bahia

Bonito
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Bonito in Bahia
Bonito Location in Brazil
Coordinates: 11°57′57″S41°16′01″W / 11.96583°S 41.26694°W / -11.96583; -41.26694
Country	Brazil
Region	Nordeste
State	Bahia
Territory of Identity	Chapada Diamantina
Political Emancipation	(1989-06-13) June 13, 1989 (age 35)
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Body	Bonito City Council
• Mayor	Edivam José Cedro De Souza
Area [1]
• Total	641.229 km2 (247.580 sq mi)
Elevation	990 m (3,250 ft)
Population  (2020 [2] )
• Total	16,884
• Density	26/km2 (68/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−3 (BRT)
Area code	75

Bonito is a municipality in the state of Bahia in the North-East region of Brazil. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} It is the fifth municipality in the country with the highest proportion of Quilombola population, with 50.2% of its inhabitants being part of this group. ^[7]

History

The municipality of Bonito, located in the Chapada Diamantina region, originated in the late 19th century. At the time, a road connected neighboring towns, and the area where the city now stands became a resting point for travelers, thanks to the presence of a large tree that provided shade. This place, which initially served as a shelter, was gradually inhabited by immigrants, forming a small community. ^[8]

At the beginning of the 20th century, the town consisted of just a few residences. The holding of a regular fair, organized by the residents, marked the local economic development, reducing the dependence on travel to neighboring towns. Over time, the town continued to grow, attracting new residents from other regions. ^[8]

Agriculture was a key factor in the development of the area, especially coffee cultivation. The introduction of modern cultivation techniques and adaptation to local conditions allowed the consolidation of a promising agricultural activity. Financing projects and technical analyses ended up favoring the expansion of plantations, which contributed significantly to economic and population growth. ^[8]

Religion also played an important role in the formation of the community. Masses and religious celebrations marked the strengthening of social ties, culminating in the construction of a chapel with the collective support of the inhabitants. ^[8]

It was created as a district with the name of Bonito (former village), by State Law No. 4,031, of May 14, 1982, and integrated into the municipality of Utinga.

It was elevated to the category of municipality with its current name, by State Law No. 5,021, of June 13, 1989, separated from the municipality of Utinga. It was installed on January 1, 1990, with the inauguration of the first councilors and the first mayor, with his deputy, democratically elected. ^[9]

Geography

It is located at Latitude 11º58'10" South and Longitude 41º15'57" West, at an elevation of 990 meters.

Communities

Name	Area	Category	Ref.
Bonito	Urban	City and Municipal Seat	[10]
Catuaba	Semi-urban	Town and Municipal District	[10]
Cabeceira do Brejo	Semi-urban	Town and Municipal District	[10]
Baixa do Cheiro	Rural	Village	[10]
Guarani	Rural	Village	[10]
Guarani II	Rural	Village	[10]
Botafogo	Rural	Village	[10]
Baixa Vistosa	Rural	Village	[10]
Gramiá	Rural	Village	[10]
Mata Florença	Rural	Village	[10]
Morrinhos	Rural	Village	[10]
Lagoa do Alívio	Rural	Village	[10]
Gitirana	Rural	Village	[10]
Quixaba	Rural	Village	[10]
Catuabinha	Rural	Village	[10]
Agropeva	Rural	Village	[10]

Hydrography

Image of Cacique Waterfall, located near the village of Botafogo, Bonito.

The municipality is located in the Paraguaçu River basin and is bathed by the Bonito, Tijuco, das Lajes and Sohen Rivers. ^{[11] [12] [13]} It is also rich in waterfalls, with highlights including the Soltinha Waterfall and the Cacique Waterfall, tourist attractions in the region.

Political-Administrative Organization

The Municipality of Bonito has a political-administrative structure composed of the Executive Branch, headed by a Mayor elected by universal suffrage, who is directly assisted by municipal secretaries appointed by him, and the Legislative Branch, institutionalized by the City Council of Bonito, a collegiate body representing the citizens that is composed of 11 councilors also elected by universal suffrage. ^[14]

Municipal authorities of Bonito

Municipal Executive

City hall
Position	Incumbent	Party	Term	Ref.
Mayor	Edivam José Cedro De Souza	PSD	(2025–2028)	[15]
Deputy Mayor	Ueriton de Sousa Primo	PP	(2025–2028)	[15]
Treasurer	Gilmar de Sá Teles Silva		(2025–present)	[16]
Departments
Department	Secretary/Director	Party	Term	Ref.
Health	Márcio Fagner Souto de Barros	PSD	(2025–present)	[17]
Education	Reinan Cedro de Oliveira	PSD	(2025–present)	[18]
Urban and Rural Development	To be defined
Social Welfare	Sidalva Alves dos Santos	PSD	(2025–present)	[16]
Culture, Sports and Tourism	Alex Sandro Ferreira de Lima	PP	(2025–present)	[16]
Agriculture	Alek Sandro Santana Beu		(2025–present)	[16]
Administration, Planning and Finance	Geovanilson José de Souza.		(2025–present)	[16]
Environment	André Torres		(2025–present)	[19]

City Council

Composition of the Bonito City Council after the 2024 Elections: ^[20]

Government:

  PSD: 3 seats

  PP: 4 seats

  PSB: 2 seats

Opposition:

  PDT: 2 seats

See also

• List of municipalities in Bahia

References

1. "IBGE | Portal do IBGE | IBGE". www.ibge.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
2. IBGE 2020
3. "Divisão Territorial do Brasil" (in Portuguese). Divisão Territorial do Brasil e Limites Territoriais, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). July 1, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
4. "Estimativas da população para 1º de julho de 2009" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Estimativas de População, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). August 14, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
5. "Ranking decrescente do IDH-M dos municípios do Brasil" (in Portuguese). Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano, Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD). 2000. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
6. "Produto Interno Bruto dos Municípios 2002-2005" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). December 19, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
7. "Bonito, na Bahia, é uma das cinco cidades do Brasil onde mais da metade da população é formada por quilombolas; conheça | Bahia". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
8. "História de Bonito Bahia" . Retrieved 2025-01-11.
9. "Histórico do município (IBGE)". www.ibge.gov.br. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
10. "Mapa Descritivo Bonito-BA" (PDF). Superintendência de Estudos Econômicos e Sociais da Bahia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
11. "Bonito-BA" (PDF). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 11 January 2025.
12. "DIAGNÓSTICO DO MUNICÍPIO DE BONITO" (PDF). Serviço Geológico do Brasil. October 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
13. "Bonito Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Cirquito Chapada Norte, Guia de turismo de Bonito :: Ibicoara Chapada Diamantina". www.ibicoarachapadadiamantina.com.br. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
14. MEIRELLES, Hely Lopes. Direito municipal brasileiro. 18. ed. São Paulo: Malheiros, 2017.
15. "Prefeito de Bonito (BA) toma posse nesta quarta (1º); veja lista de vereadores eleitos | Eleições 2024 na Bahia". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2024-12-31. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
16. "Diário Oficial de Bonito". Diário Oficial. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
17. "Diário Oficial" . Retrieved 12 January 2025.
18. "DECRETO Nº 012/2025" (PDF). 13 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
19. "DECRETO Nº 015/2025" (PDF). 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
20. "Apuração das Eleições em Bonito (BA) | Eleições 2024". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-01-11.

11°57′57″S41°16′01″W / 11.96583°S 41.26694°W / -11.96583; -41.26694