São Mateus, Espírito Santo

Baixada do Cricaré

Economy

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!colspan="2" style="text-align: right; font-size: larger;" |GDP breakdown in 2012

In 2010, 71.3% of the population over 18 years old was economically active, with an unemployment rate of 8.7%. According to the Espírito Santo Institute for Research, Technical Assistance, and Rural Extension (INCAPER), in 2013, an average of 2,800 barrels of oil were produced daily from 150 onshore wells and the Cação Platform, with the municipality accounting for 23% of the state's oil production.

Silviculture: Eucalyptus is the main crop in the municipality, introduced by Aracruz Celulose in the early 1970s.
Coconut: São Mateus is the third-largest producer of coconut in Brazil. In 2010, the municipality produced approximately 75 million fruits annually, representing 3.66% of national production, 25% of the Southeast Region, and about 48% of Espírito Santo's production, using 3,740 ha of planted area.
Macadamia: Macadamia production makes São Mateus the second-largest producer of this fruit in Brazil. Introduced in the second half of the 1980s, it yielded just over 300 tons annually in 2012, using approximately 500 ha of planted area. Notably, about 98% of this production is exported to the United States and China.
Coffee: The municipality is notable for producing conilon coffee, being the sixth-largest producer in the state. According to IBGE, in 2013, 21,000 tons of this grain were produced on 12,500 ha, with an average yield of 1,620 kilograms per hectare, generating approximately 82 million reais in revenue.
Black pepper: Espírito Santo is the second-largest producer of black pepper in Brazil, with São Mateus as its largest producer. In 2013, IBGE estimated a production of 4,480 tons on 1,600 ha, with an average yield of 2,880 kilograms per hectare, generating approximately 52 million reais in revenue.

;Secondary and tertiary sectors

In 2010, 6.45% of the employed population worked in the manufacturing industry, as well as automobile factories, such as those of Volare and Agrale.

In 2010, among the economically active population, 8.80% worked in construction, 1.06% in public utilities, 15.06% in commerce, and 37.21% in services,

In 2012, 68.8% of births in the municipality were C-sections, and 1% of children were born without prenatal exams. There was one maternal death among 1,748 births, representing a rate of 57.2 deaths per 100,000 births, and 20.5% of children were born to teenage mothers (under 20 years old). In 2013, 96.1% of children under one year old had up-to-date vaccination records.

In 2012, 21 cases of AIDS were reported, with nine in men and twelve in women. In 2011, there were 648 cases of dengue, two of malaria, and one of leishmaniasis.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2012, there were 512 deaths in São Mateus hospitals, with 384 men and 242 women. The most frequent causes included 167 deaths from respiratory diseases, 124 from circulatory diseases, 72 from digestive diseases, and 58 from external causes such as accidents, injuries, and poisonings.

The city has a public municipal pharmacy providing free medications. Additionally, the municipality conducts vaccination campaigns against influenza in May and against rabies in the same month.

Education

thumb|left|upright=1.0|alt=Polivalente School|Polivalente School

In 2013, the average Basic Education Development Index (IDEB) for São Mateus public schools was 5.4 for early years and 4.3 for final years. The municipality ranked among Brazil's municipalities for early years and for final years. Among Espírito Santo's 78 municipalities, São Mateus ranked 36th for early years and 30th for final years. The Human Development Index (HDI) for education was 0.655 in 2010, compared to Brazil's 0.849, up from 0.251 in 1991. and two federal higher education institutions: the North Espírito Santo University Center (CEUNES), part of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) and a campus of the Espírito Santo Federal Institute (IFES).

! Level

! Enrollments

! Teachers

! Schools (total)

! Early childhood education

| 282

| 81

! Primary education

| 90

! Secondary education

| 306

| 13

Public safety and crime

thumb|right|upright=1.0|alt=Camera monitoring service in São Mateus|Camera monitoring service in São Mateus

As in most medium and large Brazilian municipalities, crime remains a concern in São Mateus. In 2012, the homicide rate was 68.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the sixth most violent municipality in Espírito Santo and the 93rd in Brazil. Considering citizens identifying as Black or White, the homicide rate was 93.3 per 100,000 for those identifying as Black and 9.5 for those identifying as White. The suicide rate was 3.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, ranking 21st in the state and 1008th nationally. The traffic accident mortality rate was 63.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, the second highest in the state and 54th nationally.

The municipality has two prison facilities. The São Mateus Provisional Detention Center, opened in 2009, has spaces for temporary detainees or those awaiting trial. The São Mateus Regional Penitentiary, managed privately, is recognized as a model for prison management. Opened in 2011, it houses 534 inmates, including 76 women.

In 2011, a Municipal Civil Guard, named Citizen Guard, was established to protect and defend municipal public property and its users.

São Mateus is home to the 13th Battalion of the Military Police of Espírito Santo State. Established on June 22, 2010, from the Fifth Independent Company, it covers São Mateus, Conceição da Barra, Jaguaré, and Pedro Canário. As of January 2015, Lieutenant Alex Voney de Almeida was its commander. The city is also home to the Eighteenth Regional Police Station of the Civil Police and a Federal Police station.

Housing, services, and communications

thumb|right|upright=1.0|alt=Escelsa substation in São Mateus|[[Substation of Escelsa]]

In 2010, according to IBGE, São Mateus had permanent private households, with in urban areas and in rural areas. Of these, were built with coated masonry, with uncoated masonry, 167 with reused wood, 97 with prepared wood, 66 with coated stucco, 26 with uncoated stucco, 11 with straw, and 52 with other materials.

In 2010, of the households, were houses, were apartments, 73 were rooms or tenements, and 50 were houses in villages or condominiums. Regarding occupancy, households were owned, were rented, were loaned, and 52 were in other conditions. For water supply, households had access to the general network, used wells, springs, or cisterns, 223 relied on water trucks, 165 used rainwater stored in cisterns, 24 used rivers, lakes, streams, or creeks, and 124 had other sources. For waste disposal, households had garbage collected, burned their waste, 221 dumped it on vacant lots, 87 buried it, two disposed of it in rivers or the sea, and 42 used other methods. Finally, households had electricity, while 129 did not.

The Autonomous Water and Sewage Service (SAAE) is responsible for water supply and sewage treatment. Currently, SAAE serves 80% of households with treated water.

Espírito Santo Centrais Elétricas S.A. (Escelsa), a subsidiary of EDP Brasil, supplies electricity to São Mateus, serving 67 of Espírito Santo’s 78 municipalities. Internet services, including dial-up and broadband (ADSL), are offered by various free and paid providers. Mobile phone services are provided by Claro, Oi, Tim, and Vivo. The area code (DDD) for São Mateus is 027, and the postal code (CEP) ranges from 29930-210 to 29949-990.

In January 2015, São Mateus had two newspapers: Tribuna do Cricaré and Folha Acadêmica. It also had five radio stations, including Rádio Cricaré at 1120 AM and four FM stations: Rádio Ilha 87.9 FM, Rádio Kairós 94.7 FM, Rádio Musical 105.1 FM, and Rádio SIM 105.9 FM. Plans exist to extend its runway from m to m and replace its nighttime lighting, which is currently activated only on request.

;Road

thumb|left|upright=1.0|alt=Águia Branca Bus Terminal|Águia Branca Bus Terminal

São Mateus has a well-developed road network connecting it to various cities within the state and major metropolitan areas of the Southeast Region. The first highway was opened between 1937 and 1938, linking São Mateus to the then-village of Linhares. According to the Espírito Santo Department of Highways (DER-ES), the municipality is crossed by three federal highways: BR-101, which runs along Brazil’s entire coastline and is privatized in Espírito Santo; BR-381, starting in São Mateus and connecting to Minas Gerais and São Paulo; and BR-342, linking Espírito Santo to Bahia. Ten state highways pass through the area, and six of them have been paved. One is still under construction, another is being expanded, and the remaining routes are in natural condition.

São Mateus lacks a public bus terminal, but has two private terminals: one owned by Viação Águia Branca, serving itself and Viação Itapemirim, and another owned by Viação São Gabriel, serving itself, Viação Gontijo, Viação São Geraldo, and Viação Nacional.

;Urban

The Municipal Secretariat of Works, Infrastructure, and Transportation oversees traffic control and maintenance, including road inspections, driver and pedestrian behavior, traffic engineering projects, paving, road construction, and management of services such as taxis, alternative transport, buses, charters, and school transport. Public passenger transport has been operated by Viação São Gabriel Ltda. since 1975. The city also offers taxi and motorcycle-taxi services.

In 2013, according to IBGE, the city had a fleet of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks, scooters, trucks, 659 vans, 371 buses, 164 tractor-trailers, 148 utility vehicles, 117 tractors, and other vehicle types.

Railway

From 1923 to 1941, São Mateus was served by the São Mateus Railway, which connected it to Nova Venécia, then a settlement under São Mateus’s jurisdiction.

The railway had a 60 cm gauge and facilitated the transport of timber and coffee from the region to the city’s former river port, as well as local passenger services. It spanned 68 km of track without connecting to other railways.

Its operation was short-lived, ceasing in 1941 when it was dismantled, and its rails and materials were sold by the State Government. The proceeds funded the construction of a water tank in the city, now located near the Municipal Historical Museum.

Few traces of the old railway remain in São Mateus, except for its former headquarters building, repurposed for other uses. The railway’s former trackbed was replaced by the Miguel Curry Carneiro Highway (ES-381), now part of BR-381, with this section owned by the State Government, explaining the name change.

Culture

Theater, music, and events

thumb|left|upright=1.0|alt=Headquarters of Lira Mateense|Headquarters of Lira Mateense

São Mateus was the first city in Espírito Santo to have a theater. The city has a history of various theater groups, including the Mateense Amateur Theater Group (GRUMATA), the Improvisando Arte Teatral Group (IMPROART), the Popular Theater Group, the Elenco Theater Academy, the Epic Theater Group, the Gêneses do Interlúdio Theater Company,

The city has an orchestra, also serving as a marching band, called Lira Mateense. Founded on September 21, 1909, it is, alongside the Espírito Santo State Symphony Orchestra, one of the state’s two main musical groups. It offers free music education to youths and adults and is currently led by conductor Datan Coelho. Several other popular music bands have gained state and national recognition, including the defunct Bandoasis and Black-Out Band, the former Pinzindim group, and the forró group Trio Chapahalls.

Regarding events, the National Theater Festival (FENATE) is traditionally held in July, featuring street theater performances and performing arts workshops. Performances take place at Mesquita Neto Square in Centro and Largo do Chafariz in the Port of São Mateus, where theater groups compete for the Anchieta Trophy. Other events include festivals for Saint Matthew in September and Saint Benedict in December, the city’s patron saints; the city’s anniversary, celebrated with national shows, agricultural exhibitions, and civic parades, held on September 21 but spanning several days; the Guriri Road Fest, a national motorcycle rally held in Guriri Island since 2003; the Summer Festival, featuring nationally known bands in Guriri; and New Year's Eve, with regional or national artists and fireworks, alongside other smaller events.

Tourist attractions

São Mateus is among Brazil’s oldest continuously inhabited cities Notable attractions include:

;Natural attractions

thumb|right|upright=1.0|alt=Guriri Beach|Guriri Beach

thumb|right|upright=1.0|alt=Cravo Waterfall|Cravo Waterfall

Guriri Beach: The municipality’s main beach, located from downtown. It features rough, warm waters forming natural pools at low tide. Four of the world’s seven sea turtle species nest in Guriri. The beach formed after an artificial bar was opened by Commander Reginaldo Gomes da Cunha, brother of the Baron of Aymorés, to drain the Suruaca Lagoon for livestock farming.
Urussuquara Beach: Located near the border with Linhares, characterized by restinga vegetation along the shore, fine yellowish sand in some areas, dunes, mangroves, a stretch of Atlantic Forest, and the mouth of the Barra Seca River. Its strong waves make it an ideal spot for surfing and snook fishing.
Waterfalls: Within the municipality, there are three waterfalls, all located along the São Mateus River: the Cachoeira do Inferno, situated at kilometer 47 of the São Mateus x Nova Venécia Highway, characterized as a rapid stretching over 1,000 meters in length, mistakenly named a waterfall. Its name is linked to the existence of a pool known as Caldeirão do Diabo (Devil’s Cauldron), responsible for the deaths of many swimmers; Its construction began in the early years of the 19th century at the request of the Jesuits, designed to exceed 300 meters in length. The funding for its construction came from a 1% tax on everything exported through the former Port.
Houses in the Port: The Houses in the Port of São Mateus are a group of buildings constructed along the banks of the São Mateus River, starting from the late 18th century. Originally, most of these mansions were built with stone masonry, with internal and side walls made of plaster. The construction of these buildings gave rise to a large cluster of houses around a square used for loading and unloading ships docking in São Mateus. With the opening of the first highways, starting in 1938, when the road connecting São Mateus to Linhares was inaugurated, the economic activities at the port began to decline. Ship transport waned, and the old port lost its major commercial houses, which relocated to the upper city. The abandoned mansions were then occupied by prostitutes, leading to architectural modifications in several of them. In 1968, following numerous crimes related to prostitution, the expulsion of prostitutes was ordered, and the mansions were designated as heritage sites by the State Culture Council in 1976.
Projeto TAMAR: The research base of TAMAR in Guriri was established in 1988, housing a visitor center that also serves as the Guriri Open Sea Turtle Museum. Key attractions include an aquarium, two turtle observation tanks, and an exhibition of life-sized replicas and silhouettes of the five sea turtle species. During the reproductive season in the summer, the release of hatchlings is organized in the late afternoons.

Cuisine

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The proximity of São Mateus to other states and the origins of the municipality’s settlers have contributed to a highly diverse cuisine, with a strong Bahian influence, characterized by heavily seasoned dishes, including vatapá, acarajé, mungunzá, caruru, quibebe, moqueca, and seafood from the region. Regarding moqueca, São Mateus offers both the Bahian moqueca, prepared with palm oil, coconut milk, and black pepper, and the traditional moqueca capixaba, which does not use these ingredients and may or may not be accompanied by shrimp sauce.

One of the most traditional delicacies in the municipality is the southern kingcroaker moqueca, a small freshwater fish. This moqueca is not sold in restaurants, being a privilege of the city’s traditional families. Additionally, the municipality consumes various freshwater and marine fish, including snook, hake, catfish, piau, stardrum, and hoplias. Shellfish and crustaceans, such as crabs and mussels, are also highly appreciated.

The Italian colonizers contributed to the popularity of pasta dishes, with the municipality widely consuming dishes such as spaghetti, agnolini, pizza, polenta, gnocchi, and pancakes, among others. Some families descended from Italian immigrants still maintain the tradition of preparing a homemade pasta known as tagliatelle. as its only active professional football club, having previously hosted the activities of the now-defunct Matheense Football Club. The Associação Atlética São Mateus was founded on December 13, 1963, and among its notable campaigns, it participated in the 2011 Brazilian Football Championship – Série D and the 1st Division of the Campeonato Capixaba, winning the championship in 2009 and 2011. Its stadium is the Manoel Moreira Sobrinho Stadium, better known as Sernamby Stadium, with a capacity of people. with the main ones being: the Copa do Café, which brings together teams from the districts of Nestor Gomes and Nova Verona; the Copa Litoral, which includes teams from the Barra Nova district; the Copa Cidade, which gathers teams from São Mateus neighborhoods; the Copa da Liga, which includes teams from the rural areas of the Seat district; the Corrida Rústica, held annually on September 21, the Enduro de Verão, an enduro motorcycle competition typically held between January and February, and the Jogos Estudantis Mateenses (JEM), a tournament among the municipality’s schools where students compete in various sports, including volleyball, beach volleyball, handball, futsal, beach soccer, basketball, and judo.

Holidays

In São Mateus, there are four municipal holidays and eight national holidays, in addition to optional holidays. According to the city hall, the municipal holidays are: Good Friday; Corpus Christi; the city’s anniversary and the day of Saint Matthew the Evangelist on September 21; and the day of Saint Benedict on December 27.

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