Originally known as Aldeia de Nossa Senhora dos Anjos, Gravataí was founded on April 8, 1763 by settlers designated by the Portuguese to consolidate the crown presence in the region, led by Pedro Gonçalves Sandoval and João Lourenço Veloso.

In 1772, the São Pedro province governor José Marcelino de Figueiredo started to develop the town.

[2] According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the city has a total area of 463.5 km²[2] (192.2 square miles) divided into five separate districts (boroughs): Gravataí, Barro Vermelho, Ipiranga, Itacolomi and Morungava.

The main supply of drinking water is provided by the Gravataí River, formed at Banhado Grande and flowing west into the city towards the Guaíba estuary.

The council functions as a parliamentary or congressional style legislative body, proposing bills, holding votes (especially the municipal budget), and passing laws to help govern the city.

[16] Gravataí has three colleges and universities offering bachelor's and professional or master's degree programs: Universidade Luterana do Brasil, FACENSA, and Faculdade QI.

By land, Gravataí is practically midway between São Paulo and Buenos Aires, the two main economic centers of Mercosur.