Number of municipalities: 19
Total area: 3,242.9 km2.
Population: 570,000 inhabitants.
Participation in State GDP: 4.03%
Economic base: Largely agriculture, predominantly production of sugar cane and its derivatives. There is also significant farming activity (banana, vegetables, yam, and cassava, among others), transformation industry, commerce, services and tourism.
Unique Characteristics: Home to the Pharmaceuticals Cluster of Pernambuco, which confers and new dynamism to the region, especially in the service sector (real estate, leisure, education etc.). The non- metallic minerals, foodstuffs, paper, and cellulose industries are also important to the local economy. There is potential for touristic development due to the large number and diversity of natural attractions, folkloric and cultural manifestations, handcrafts and, above all, the legacy of old sugar mills, chapels, churches, and mansions.
