Sao Paulo Research

Continuing my South American trip research, the following information about Sao Paulo cames from the World Book Encyclopedia.
Sao Paulo is Brazil's largest city and one of the world's largest as well in terms of population.  (10,434,252; met. area pop. 17,878,703)

In 1554, Jesuit missionaries from Portugal founded Sao Paulo as an American Indian mission. "It remained a small town until the mid-1800's, when it became the commerical center of Brazil's booming coffee industry." (page 117) Investments were made in other industries. "Today, the city and its surrounding area account for about half of Brazil's total industrial output."

Two rivers flow through the city; the Tiete and Pinheiros rivers.

The center of the business distric is called "The Triangle" which dates back to the 1500's "when three mission buildings that stood in the area were connected by paths that formed the shape of a triangle."

(all above from page 117)

Sao Paulo has several parks, the largest of which is "Ibirapuera Park" which houses a monument to the "bandeirantes" (pioneers) of Sao Paulo.

Because of the rapid population growth, many homes have neither running water nor appropriate sewer systems.  "Other problems include air pollution, overcrowding, and traffic congestion". (page 118) Improvement projects and construction of commercial and recreational facilities outside the central part of the city have been created in an attempt to improve these conditions.

People of Sao Paulo are called "Paulistanos" and are reflected by a heritage rooted in Germany, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Portugal, Spain or Syria. Some African and some American Indian ancestry can also be found. 

The city has more jobs and higher wages than other areas of Brazil. Poverty is still a major issue. "More than half the families have a monthly income of less than $150.  Many of these families live in slum areas called "corticos"

Most of the city's people are Roman Catholic although Protestants and followers of African religions can also be found.

The University of Sao Paulo is the largest university in Brazil. Sao Paulo's Municipal Library is one of the largest libraries in South America.

The Butantan Institute has become famous for its development of snakebite serums.

(all of the above from page 118)

There are also several multinational companies who have headquarters in Sao Paulo.