at a glance

jacarepaguá, sometimes referred to as jpa, is a neighborhood that comprises a wide area of the zone oeste (west zone) of rio de janeiro, and it is arguably one of the most important districts of the city - the name jacarepaguá comes from an indigenous word which means 'shallow pond of the yacares', with the yacare being a native type of crocodile. 

historically it was such a large neighborhood, that as of 1981 it was sub-divided into three independent neighborhoods, giving birth to barra da tijuca and recreio dos bandeirantes - in 1993 more neighborhoods were created on the territory previously part of jacarepaguá, including anil, curicica, city of god, freguesia jacarepaguá, gardênia azul, pechincha, praça seca, tanque, and taquara.