after his death, many of the slaves remained on the island as free men and women and built a village, since the law that abolished slavery took effect in 1888, one year before joaquim josé's passing in 1889. 

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.