the two rivers institute for criminals was built near abraão in 1940, but was demolished in 1993 - since the 1970s, much of the area around abraão has become protected land including the ilha grande state park.

tourism is the major economic resource of the area and vila do abraão is home to many of the festivities that occur on ilha grande to the day - every january, the festa de são sebastião, saint sebastian - the catholic saint against plague, famine and war and  patron saint of abraão, livens up every corner of ilha grande.

the island starts the first day of the festival at sunrise on january 20th, to the sounds of fireworks and music and, after the initial mass of the festival, a traditional catholic procession begins the festivities through the streets and along the waterfront of the cove.