Niterói developed alongside Rio de Janeiro city, and like siblings they competed for favor, finance and support from their fathers and rule-makers.

In the past Niterói acted as ruling capital of the province, but from 1974, when the States of Guanabara and Rio de Janeiro were merged, Niterói's title of capital was revoked. These sister cities have profoundly shaped one another's history, and their mutually formative influence is represented by the magnificent infrastructure and design of the Rio-Niterói bridge, which acts as a cord uniting the population, culture and recreations of both cities.