Maré

Maré is the Portuguese term for tide, the regular rise and fall of the sea level along coastlines, driven primarily by the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun. In coastal regions of Portuguese-speaking countries, maré describes high tide (maré alta) and low tide (maré baixa) and influences activities such as navigation, fishing, and beach use. The word derives from Latin mare, meaning "sea."

Tides vary by location and are often semidiurnal, producing two high tides and two low tides each day, though some coastlines experience diurnal or mixed tides. The magnitude of the tides—tidal range—depends on factors such as coastline shape, ocean floor bathymetry, ocean depth, and weather patterns. The lunar cycle governs the changes: spring tides occur at full and new moons, with higher highs and lower lows, while neap tides occur at first and third quarters, with lower highs and higher lows.

Maré is also the name of a large favela complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known as Complexo da Maré. It comprises multiple adjacent communities in the North Zone of the city and is one of the largest such complexes in Brazil. The area has been the focus of social programs, urbanization efforts, and public security operations, alongside ongoing community initiatives aimed at improving housing, services, and quality of life.

In cultural usage, maré appears in Brazilian literature and music as a metaphor for change, flux, and the passage of time.