The municipality is named in honor of Rodrigo de Souza Coutinho, Count of Linhares, who was a minister in the Brazilian government in the first two decades of the 19th century.

The main freshwater lagoons in the region are: Japaranã-Mirim, Palmas, Durão, Palminhas, Aguiá, Monsarás, Limão, Feia, Combóios, Piabanha, Óleo, Pau Grosso, Terra Alta and Patrão.

[citation needed] There is an official nudist beach called Barra Seca 60 km to the east of Linhares.

The municipality contains part of the 785 hectares (1,940 acres) Comboios Biological Reserve, a fully protected area.

[7] Linhares is served by Antônio Edson de Azevedo Lima Airport.