what began in the sixteenth century as a settlement evolved into the parish of santo antônio de cassarabu (saint anthony of cassarabu), and later grew into the village of santo antônio de sá - this was just the beginning of its almost constant evolution which, by the mid nineteenth century, became the village of santana and, eventually santana de macacu and by the turn of the twentieth century, came to be called santana de japuíba.   

finally, in 1923, it was deemed the new city of cachoeiras de macacu as it is known today - this small farming settlement quickly rose to a major agricultural municipality thanks to the fertility of its soil.

cassava, corn and sugarcane are among the many products produced in abundance in cachoeiras de macacu - in the last century, however, agricultural activity has declined while other tourist-based businesses have gained momentum.