Imperatriz is the largest commercial crossing point, energy and economic
center of Maranhao and the second largest populational, economical,
political and cultural center in the state and has a strategic position
not only useful to the state but also for the whole north of Brazil.
Imperatriz is a cross between the production of soy of Balsas, in
southern Maranhao, timber extraction on the border with Para state, with
steel produced and processed in Acailandia in and family farming in the
rest of the state, with emphasis on rice production as well as future
potential of power generation and pulp with the implementation of
hydroelectric of Estreito, hydroelectric of Serra Quebrada and the
Suzano Pulp and Paper factory. Besides these capabilities, the city is a
center for mining, mainly in the reserve of Ciriaco, a neighboring
region. To provide logistical support to all these activities,
Imperatriz is a local wholesale and retail center for goods from the
south of Maranhao, north of Tocantins, and east of Para. For
transportation, Imperatriz has the Belem-Brasilia highway, the Tocantins
River, and the North-South and the Carajas Railroads. In addition, the
main lines of electricity transmission for Maranhao and other states
pass near the city.
Today, by virtue of its performance in the
sectors of trade and services, Imperatriz holds the position of second
largest economic, political, cultural and population center of the state
and the main region that binds the southwest of Maranhao, northern of
Tocantins and the southern of Para. The history and development of
Imperatriz gave it several titles including the "Gateway of the Amazon"
and "Capital of Energy
