Arraial do Cabo is an area in the state of Rio de Janeiro founded in the early 16th century by the explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who with the help of João de Bragaset up what would become the first trading post in Brazil - Over the years the area has seen its share of booms and setbacks from being an important area for the production of Brazilwood, to near extinction with the abolition of slavery in 1888. 

As with much of Brazil, the 20th century brought another boom with the development of an infrastructure including the Amaral Peixoto Highway, various railroads and the controversial Companhia Nacional de Álcalis, for which the 'Arraial do Cabo' documentary was made in 1959.

Original Portuguese traditions are kept alive in the region for both men and women - 'Canoe Siege Fishing' is a traditional fishing technique in which a lookout on land keeps an eye on the school of fish and alerts the men in the boats as to where to find them and then the men on the different boats surround and catch them.