Neptune's Needle

City (1996 pop. 9,816,776), (cap.) Sao Paulo state, SE Brazil, on the Tiete R.; 23º32'S 46º37'W. Includes suburbs of Guarulhos, Sao Caetano du Sul, and Santo Andre. The largest city of Brazil and of S. Amer., Sao Paulo is an ultramodern metropolis with skyscrapers, palatial homes, and spacious parks and recreational facilities. Its tropical climate is moderated by the city’s 6,823 ft/2,080 m elev. The commercial, financial, and industrial center of Brazil. Through its Atlantic Ocean port of Santos, it ships the farm produce of the interior. Chief mfgs. include textiles, processed foods, metal prods., electrical equip., telecommunications equip. and systems, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and furniture; printing and publishing are also important. Abundant hydroelectric power has spurred industrial growth. The city is a major road, RR, and air transportation hub and has a modern subway system. Due to the rapid economic development and pop. growth since the 1960s, Sao Paulo has suffered serious air and water pollution and overcrowding. Internatl. airport to S. Sao Paulo was founded by Jesuit priests on Jan. 25, 1554, on the site of an old Native Amer. village. In the 17th cent. it became a base for penetration into the Brazilian interior by expeditions ( bandeiras ) seeking mineral wealth and Native Amer. slaves. In 1681, Sao Paulo was made the administrative capital of the surrounding area, and in 1711 it achieved city status. The independence movement was strong in the city; in 1822 at Sao Paulo, Brazilian emperor Dom Pedro I proclaimed the country independent of Portugal. The city, however, remained a minor commercial center until the 1880s, when widespread coffee cultivation in Sao Paulo state brought sudden growth, prosperity, and an influx of Eur. immigrants. The city has been a prominent cultural and intellectual center since the 19th cent.; 4 univs., a medical school, a law school, and Butantan Inst. (noted for its preparations of snake serums). The art mus. features a fine collection of old masters, and the mus. of modern art is famed for its Bienal , an internatl. biennial competition. Near the Ipiranga Mus. is a monument commemorating Dom Pedro’s independence proclamation.

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Compiler

Peter Richards