The Farm Parahyba fueled with corn fields, river fish and game from the virgin forest to front-of-work Indians puris enslaved by aggregates Garcia, curibocas guainás Plateau of São Paulo.

Was this interregnum that Maria Pinheiro da Fonseca, his wife, kept on the farm colonial treasure brought hastily from Rio de Janeiro invaded by the French.

Garcia received land grants of nearly 40 miles along the road and over 13 wide, and a charter of the village to his farm that did not interest to use for attracting outsiders (the fight between São Paulo and Rio das Mortes in reinóis - War Emboabas - showed the competition that face).

However, he was destitute at age 20 when he discovered the backwater in Paraíba, since the father's entire fortune spent seven years wandering in the backcountry with the famous Flag of Esmeraldas, which gave in tourmalines.

There are great beauties in the city in its rugged in rural geography, and many green areas inviting for a leisurely day, many hotels in and outside urban centers, waterfalls, spas and many other attractions, including a shrine visited every year by pilgrims.

According to data from FEEMA (1990/91) in the Paraíba do Sul are found the following environmental issues: Semi-critical - soil erosion, vectors, risk of accidents and mining; In alertness - deficiency sewage systems, degradation of conservation areas, tree cover disability, poor living conditions, deforestation, pesticides and occupation of hillsides process.