The current territory of the municipality, at the time of the arrival of the first Europeans, was inhabited by the Pitaguary, Jaçanaú, Mucunã, and Cágado indigenous groups.

In the year 1649, these Indians have received the visit of the Dutch, who mapped the farms of manioc and corn, as well as the ways indigenous people, during the expedition in search of the silver mines in the Sierra de Sao Tome and Principe.

These plots of cassava and maize were expanded during the time in which Mathias Beck administered the islands from its military base and administrative: the Fort Schoonenborch.

Maracanaú figured as part of Maranguape until, in 1875, he was faced with a major transformation, with the inauguration of the railway from Port Alberni and the train station.

In the 20th century, grew the settlement around four institutions: the metropolitan train - Extension Maranguape/Fortaleza, the Sanatorium of Azusa (today Municipal Hospital), the Colony Antônio Justo, and the Instituto Carneiro de Mendonça - Rehabilitation Center for Minors.

[citation needed] The city has 3 districts: Maracanaú (main), Pajuçara and Pitaguary besides Distrito Industrial.

The city benefits from the Ring Road of Fortaleza, which is part of the Metropolitan Arch, helping the urban mobility of those who travel to Pecém in the northwest direction, and eastward to the BR-116.

The complex has two business towers, a modern hotel with 121 apartments, the Fair Center Shopping, a Supermarket Lagoon, among other services.