Paraíba do Sul () is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 44,518 (2020) and its area is 581 km². History Paraíba do Sul is the pioneer municipality of Serra Fluminense, disseminator of civilization in what was called the 18th century backlands of Paraiba. The city was born near a backwater discovered in Paraíba do Sul River in 1681 by Garcia Rodrigues Paes son of Fernão Dias Paes Leme. The 20 years boy knew that in the rare backwater flowing river was directly north the city of Rio de Janeiro, sea port turn meant that the gem mines discovered by his father, late that same year. In Lisbon in 1682, had the disappointment of them only know tourmalines, but promised Pedro II the most direct route there may be between the mines and the March The king promised him lands and privileges, provided that discovered gold and precious stones. In 1683, Garcia opened backwater on the farm origin of the city, fifteen years later, discovered gold, the construction workforce of the Way that historians call the New. 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. In 1698 to 1700 opened the stretch of the Paraíba to Rio de Janeiro, and even 1704 which hit the Mantiqueira Mountains. Then, in the current region Barbacena, the New Way joined the Elder, who came from São Paulo. In 1709 to 1711 Garcia was in Lisbon fighting for John V fulfilled the promises of the parent by the opening of the New Way. 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). The Paes Leme family, his descendants retained the farm and leased to the revolutionary creation of the village head-to-county in 1833. Guard-Mor General of Mines lifetime since 1702, when he died in the Paraíba March 7 of 1738 Garcia Rodrigues Paes was the greatest