Presidente Dutra, Maranhão, Northeast Region, Brazil

🇧🇷 Presidente Dutra is a municipality in the state of Maranhão, located in the Northeast region of Brazil. It covers a total area of about 1,167 square kilometers.

History The municipality was established on December 22, 1948, following a separation from the municipality of Colinas. It was named in honor of the 16th President of Brazil, Eurico Gaspar Dutra, who governed Brazil from 1946 to 1951.

Geography Presidente Dutra is located in the central part of Maranhão and lies within the Meio-Norte region, a transition zone between the Amazon rainforest and the semi-arid sertão. The climate is tropical with a wet season typically from January to June and a dry season from July to December.

Economy The municipality's economy is primarily based on commerce, agriculture (especially subsistence farming), livestock, and public services. Presidente Dutra also serves as a commercial hub for neighboring smaller towns. The estimated municipal GDP in 2021 was approximately R$ 230 million, with the service sector accounting for most of it.

Health and Infrastructure Presidente Dutra is home to the "Hospital Regional de Presidente Dutra", a key public hospital offering advanced medical care to residents of central Maranhão. It is managed by the state government and is a reference point for healthcare services in the region.

Human Development Index As per the 2010 Human Development Atlas, Presidente Dutra had a Municipal Human Development Index (IDH-M) of 0.657, which is considered medium. The index reflects the town's moderate performance in education, income, and life expectancy indicators.

Demographics According to the 2022 census, Presidente Dutra has a population of over 50,000 people. The municipality has a balanced gender distribution and a youthful age profile. The majority of residents identify as pardo (mixed race), consistent with broader demographic trends in the Northeast region of Brazil.

Culture

The local culture features annual celebrations such as the "Festas Juninas" (June Festivals), Christmas parades, and the "Vaquejada" (rodeo-style cattle festival). These events include traditional food, music genres like forró, and religious festivities honoring Catholic saints, especially Saint John the Baptist.