Founded in 1947 as a planned urban area, Maringa is now the third largest city in the Brazilian State of Paraná. Situated in the southern Brazilian and crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn, the region of Maringá is influenced by several macro-climatic factors caused by migration of air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and from the Tropical zone. Due to its planning Maringá has a very high rate of concentration of green area per capita with 90 acres of native forest on 17 preserved area found within its urban boundaries.

Sitting right on the Tropic of Capricorn Maringa is a regional centre for commerce, services, agro-industries, and universities. Agriculture still is a fundamental for for Maringá, although its importance has declined in recent years. Farming is diversified, and besides coffee, today are produced corn, wheat, cotton, ramie, beans, peanuts, rice, sugar cane, and especially soybeans. Industries that are on the rise include  metal-mechanics, agribusiness, textile and food companies.

In 2010 Maringa won the prize of  The Most Innovative City in Brazil  and is ranked amongst the 10 best fiscal municipal managements in the country. It has also been awarded the Social Innovation Initiative prize by CEFAL for the cooperation between public and private sectors in fighting corruption and promoting the efficient use of public funds.