Ibotirama

The area was once inhabited by Tupi-Guarani Indians who had their fishing camp here. In the eighteenth century settlers began to arrive to start cattle ranching. A settlement was formed to supply muleteers and cattle drivers and fishermen began to settle to take advantage of the vast fishing in the river. In 1911 the village was elevated to the district of Piratinga and in 1931 it became a vila with the name of Jardinópolis. In 1943 the name was changed to Ibotirama. It was only in 1958 that it became a city.

Economic growth occured when the important Brasília-Salvador highway was built, making Ibotirama an obligatory stopover for travelers and truck drivers on the long and tiring journey.