Limeira is part of the São Paulo metropolitan complex, which is the largest in the southern hemisphere, with an estimated population of around 30 million people.

According to local folklore, pioneers would often seek respite at a guesthouse situated approximately 150 km from São Paulo, near the Tatuibi River.

[citation needed] According to the legend, in 1781, a caravan traveling to the wilderness of Araraquara made a stop in Limeira and set up camp near a stream called Córrego do Bexiga, which is now the location of the Market Model.

Among the members of the caravan was a Franciscan friar named João das Mercês, who carried a variety of lime orange known as "picuá de limas," believed to possess healing properties for fevers.

He died during the night, and the following day, he was buried at the same site along with his untouched Picuá de Lima limes that no one dared to consume due to the perceived risk of poisoning.

[6] The founding of Limeira took place on cleared land situated along the path known as the "Picadão de Cuiabá", an important historical route that played a crucial role in trade and the provision of resources to mines in Mato Grosso.

[7] During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, landowners and farmers from "Cidade da Constituição" (Piracicaba), Itu, Porto Feliz, and Atibaia identified the region as having fertile land for agriculture.

According to the 1822 census, the population of the Town of Piracicaba, including the regions of Morro Azul and Tatuibi (both part of Limeira), consisted of 951 free people and 546 slaves.

[citation needed] Upon the completion of the new road in 1826 and the subsequent formalization of the settlement project known as the Freguesia de Nossa Senhora das Dores do Tatuibi in 1830, the municipality of Limeira took shape.

[citation needed] In 1840, Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro, owner of Ibicaba Mill, introduced a partnership system by bringing eighty Portuguese individuals to work on his lands.

It encompasses structures such as the main house, slave quarters, terraces, and dams, which contribute to the city's collection of historic farms.

The city benefits from its strategic positioning along major road and rail networks, connecting São Paulo state to Minas Gerais and the Midwest region of Brazil.

Limeira is situated near the Tietê-Paraná Waterway, a significant water route that links it to the southern states of Brazil and the Mercosur countries.

Morro Azul is a notable landmark in the Limeira region, standing at an elevation of 831 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in the area.

[citation needed] This prominent feature has served as a reliable reference point for pioneers and travelers, guiding them through the vast territories of the region.

Between 1907 and 1922, Limeira witnessed the emergence of significant industries, including Chapéus Prada (1907), Café Kühl (1920), and Indústria de Papel Santa Cruz (1922).

These companies catered to both domestic and international markets, including the United States and Europe, contributing to Limeira's reputation as "The City of Orange".

Additionally, the automotive sector gained prominence in Limeira after World War II, with the establishment of companies like 'Freios Varga' (now TRW) in 1945 and 'Rodas Fumagalli' in 1946.

In more recent years, Limeira has become a preferred destination for Japanese and Korean automotive companies, including Yacchyio do Brasil, Stanley, Mando, DAS, and Faurecia.

In terms of public services, Limeira is home to several regional organizations and government agencies, as well as private institutions like CIESP, SENAI, SESI, and SENAC.

Limeira has also developed into a prominent center for plant and seedling commerce, particularly in the Geada area along the Limeira-Piracicaba Road (located at kilometer 120).