Neves Beach

the municipality of marataízes (36,494 inhabitants; 135 sq. km) is located in coastal southern espírito santo, 130 km of vitória.

marataízes was created by law no. 4,619 of 14 january 1992, seceding from tapemirim, and inaugurated on 10 january 1997. the municipality is named for a tupi-guarani word meaning "water running to the sea", probably referring to the numerous lagunas connected to the ocean. local legends relate the name of the municipality to the death of a beloved woman named Ísis ("mataram Ísis", "isis is dead"), or to the beach offered to tais by his father ("mar ta's", "tais' sea"). yet another legend says that the african slaves of bantu origin spoke marata and venerated goddess isis. marataízes is the birth place of domingos martins (1781-1817), the hero of the pernambuco revolution (see the municipality of domingos martins).

the municipal flag of marataízes was designed in 2006 after a public contest held between 19 june and 25 august 2006, prescribed by decree no. 506 of 1 february 2006. the flag was officially unveiled on 16 october 2006. the flag was designed by marataízes-born renan do nascimento barboza (b. 1990). the designer used the colors of the municipal coat of arms, blue, black, yellow and white. blue symbolizes the sky and the sea, serenity and highness. for the municipality, blue symbolizes the sea and its resources and fishes, as well as river itapemirim, of economical and historical significance. black symbolized life in ancient greece. for the municipality, black symbolizes progress through tourism and oil industry. yellow symbolizes gold and the soil, power and god's kindness. for the municipality, yellow symbolizes its natural resources, such as pine apples and sugar cane. white symbolizes peace, calm and kindness. for the municipality, white represents the tranquility of the beaches and the villages of the inner municipality.

the coat of arms of marataízes was designed in september 1997 by the heraldist paulo sérgio lettieri martins, on the base of ideas supplied by iracy do nascimento and silva and irandy a. de faria. the portuguese shape of the shield recalls the portuguese origin of brazil. the stars represent the regional pioneers, domingos de freitas bueno caxangá and pedro de silveira, respectively. the landscape elements placed in the border of the shield (commonly used in the brazilian heraldry) highlight the natural resources of the municipality and tourism; a boat stands for the canoeing festival and the wavy stripes stand for the lagunas; the feather headgear stands for the natives, especially the goytacazes (once dominant in the region); the golden anchor is the heraldic symbol of trust, firmness and devotion to god; the crown represents the national hero domingos martins.