the island community is made up of about 380 residents, of varied origins (blacks, whites, descendants of carijó indians), some of which are living there since 1943 when the escola técnica darcy vargas fishing school was created there under president getúlio vargas. 

marambaia is part of the three municipalities of rio de janeiro, itaguaí, and mangaratiba - with its highest point being the scenic pico da marambaia, at 647 meters.

along the marambaia, on the side farther from the city of rio de janeiro, there is a portion of beach that belongs to the municipality of itaguaí.