Cariacica reflects Brazil's racial affiliation, bringing together Indigenous peoples, Black people, and European immigrants. According to its former inhabitants, the name derives from the expression "Cari-jaci-caá," used by the Indigenous people to identify the port where immigrants disembarked. It translates as "arrival of the white man."

Although the municipality of Cariacica was created by Decree No. 57 on November 25, 1890, its population only experienced significant growth in the 1940s. The municipality's rural character also began to undergo significant changes around this time, eventually becoming an urban municipality.

The city brings together urban and rural aspects in perfect harmony and sustainability. The urban center houses a large commercial area and approximately 96% of the population, but the rural region extends across a wide area and is marked by natural diversity, particularly at the foot of Mount Mochuara.

Cariacica Sede

Although the municipal seat is located 15.8 km from the capital, it is a historically rural town. Since the beginning of the last century, strictly agricultural activities have been replaced by activities supporting the marketing and transportation of goods, consequently locating them in regions close to VALE facilities. Approximately 96% of Cariacica's population is concentrated in urban areas, but 56% of its land is located in rural areas, where much of the city's environmental and tourist attractions are located, such as the imposing Mochuara, the symbol of the municipality.