[3] The city is the seat of the Government Region of Itapetininga, made up of twelve other municipalities: Alambari, Angatuba, Boituva, Campina do Monte Alegre, Capela do Alto, Cerquilho, Cesário Lange, Guareí, Quadra, São Miguel Arcanjo, Sarapuí and Tatuí, which together have more than 520 thousand inhabitants.

Itapetininga developed along with the "tropeirismo" (Trooping), as a resting point of the cattle dealers, who were mounting groups and villages for the landing, before they travel towards the South.

About 1760, a group of Portuguese, led by Domingos José Vieira, left the first nucleus (today, district of Porto) and formed another, in a high place and surrounded by two streams.

The town of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres de Itapetininga was officially created on November 5, 1770, when a solemn mass was celebrated by the vicar of the new parish, Priest Inácio of Araújo Ferreira.

Salvador de Oliveira Leme (-nicknamed Sarutayá )- has been included among the historical founders of the municipality, since he was the second captain-mor of Itapetininga (the first one was Domingos José Vieira).