Maetinga

Maetinga
Municipality
Flag Seal
Coordinates: 14°39′46″S41°29′31″W / 14.66278°S 41.49194°W / -14.66278; -41.49194
Country	Brazil
Region	Nordeste
State	Bahia
Mesoregion	Of south central Bahia Mesoregion
Founded	May 9, 1985
Government
•  Mayor	Sergio Barros (AVANTE)
Area
• Total	614.834 km2 (237.389 sq mi)
Elevation	600 m (2,000 ft)
Population  (2024 )
• Total	7,212
• Density	11.34/km2 (29.4/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−3 (BRT)

Maetinga is a municipality located in the interior of the state state of Bahia in the North-East region of Brazil. It is located approximately 609 kilometers from the state capital, Salvador.
According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2024 its population was estimated at 7,212 inhabitants ^[1] .

History

Maetinga was established through the separation from the municipality of Jânio Quadros, according to Bahia Estate Law No. 4446 of May 9, 1985. Its territory was first settled in 1876 due to the development of agriculture, livestock farming, and commerce. ^[2]
In 1885, the founding family (João Francisco de Lima, his wife, and their 14 children) arrived at a farm known as Lagoa do Monte Alegre. They dedicated themselves to agriculture, livestock raising, and forest clearing. The family actively participated in religious festivities such as the Feast of Saint Anthony and Saint Rita, celebrated at the home of Joãozinho Matias and his wife.
In 1888, masses began to be held at the founder’s residence by Father João Gilberto. These religious celebrations continued until 1906, the year João Francisco de Lima passed away. ^[2]

Toponym

Maetinga is of Tupi-Guarani origin and means: "mae" (hill/mountain) and "tinga" (joy), which reflects the meaning of the area's former name, Monte Alegre (Joyful Hill).

See also

• List of municipalities in Bahia

References

^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

1. "IBGE Cities and States (2025)" (in Portuguese). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Retrieved August 3, 2025.
2. "IBGE - Maetinga history" (in Portuguese). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Retrieved August 3, 2025.
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. "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.
5. "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.