The municipality of Vera Cruz has a population of is 43,716 (2020 estimate) and covers an area of 297.537 square kilometres (114.880 sq mi).

[2][3] The island of Itaparica was home to a large population of Tupinambá peoples prior to the arrival of the Portugues.

[2] Portuguese settlements in Vera Cruz were established soon after the arrival of Tomé de Sousa, Brazil's first governor-general, in 1549.

It was called the Vila do Senhor da Vera Cruz, and featured Brazil's first hydraulic works, a dam to provide drinking water.

All lack federal, state, or municipal protection, with the exception of the Chapel of Saint Antony of Velásquez.