Caxias

This city in eastern Maranhão cut through by the Itapecuru River and known locally as "terra das águas cristalinas" — land of crystal-clear waters — Caxias sits at the centre of the Cocais region and serves as the administrative hub of the Leste Maranhense metropolitan area. Its built environment retains 19th- and early 20th-century Portuguese-style architecture, though parts of that heritage have been lost over time. The surrounding area is noted for a rich water table, dense vegetation, and a well-defined rainy season.

• Population156,973
• Nearest water1.3 km