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SAO PAULO
Sao Paulo
São Paulo ( pron. ; Portuguese for Saint Paul) is the capital of the state of São Paulo in the South East of Brazil. It is located at
The city (limits) has an area of 1,523.0 square kilometres (588.0 sq. miles) and a population of just over 11 million (2006 IBGE estimate), which makes it the most populous in the Southern Hemisphere. Because São Paulo is sprawling like Los Angeles, it has two definitions for its metropolitan area. By its CSA (Combined Statistical Area) type definition of metropolitan area, it is the second largest city with 29 million inhabitants (Complexo Metropolitano Expandido),. The more narrowly defined Greater São Paulo metropolitan area, which doesn't include Campinas, Baixada Santista and many other nearby areas (Região Metropolitana de São Paulo) has around 19.7 million inhabitants (2006), making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the world.
People from the city of São Paulo are known as paulistanos, while paulista designates anyone from the whole of São Paulo state, including the paulistanos. The city's Latin motto is Non ducor, duco, which translates as "I am not led, I lead". A famous nickname for the city is "Sampa".
São Paulo is also known for its smog, the sheer size of its helicopter fleet, unreliable weather, and multitude of skyscrapers, holding the 7th position in the skyline ranking.
History
Jesuit missionaries José de Anchieta and Manuel da Nóbrega founded the village of São Paulo de Piratininga on January 25, 1554. Along with their entourage, they established a mission named Colégio de São Paulo de Piratininga aimed at converting the Tupi-Guarani Native Brazilians to the Catholic religion. Located just beyond the Serra do Mar cliffs, overlooking the port city of Santos, and close to River Tietê, the new settlement became the natural entrance from the South East coast to the vast and fertile plateau to the West that would eventually become the State of São Paulo.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, groups of explorers who called themselves the Bandeirantes traversed forests and new territories within the Latin American continent searching for gold, diamonds and other riches. The Bandeirantes are regarded as being responsible for a great deal of the Brazilian territorial expansion beyond the Tordesilhas Line and for the discovery of many mines of precious metals and stones. There are several monuments in honor of their contribution to the city, including the Monumento das Bandeiras, one of the landmarks of São Paulo.
São Paulo officially became a city in 1711. In the 19th century, it experienced a flourishing economic prosperity, brought about chiefly through coffee exports, which were shipped abroad from the port of neighbouring city Santos. After 1881, waves of immigrants from Italy, Japan and many other countries emigrated to São Paulo in order to work at the enormous coffee plantations established in the State making it the only Brazilian state capital which Portuguese descendants are not the majority. At the beginning of the 20th century, the coffee cycle had already plummeted due to,...
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Hotels in Sao Paulo
 | Etoile George V Jardins  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | José Maria Lisboa, 1000 |  |
| The Etoile George V Jardins is a 5-star hotel which provides large, well-equipped suites in downtown São Paulo, only a few blocks from 9 de Julho and Paulista avenues.
Each suite has a complete kitchen, a spacious living room with siting and dining areas, a balcony and a bathroom with bathtub. Free internet access is also included.
In the morning, the Jorge Restaurant invites you to savor a varied breakfast buffet. At other times, the restaurant serves national and international dishes.
As a guest of the Etoile George V Jardins, you can also enjoy the outdoor pool, use the computers from the business center, work out in the gym, and relax in the saunas. ... more | | |
 | Novotel Sao Paulo Morumbi  |
Score 8.5 from 16 reviews | | Rua Ministro Nelson Hungria, 450 | |
| The 4-star Novotel Sao Paulo Morumbi is located a few blocks away from the Centro Empresarial Nacoes Unidas, the US-American Consulate and the Morumbi Shopping Mall.
Novotel Sao Paulo Morumbi features an outdoor pool, a gym and a children's playground.
Buffet breakfast is served every morning and the restaurant offers international cuisine for lunch and dinner. A bar is also available on site.
All the rooms of the Novotel Morumbi are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, minibar, safety deposit box.
Next to the hotel, the Marginal Pinheiros provides easy access to other areas of the city. ... more | | |
 | Golden Tulip Paulista Plaza |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Alameda Santos, 85, Jardins | |
| Among the hotel’s wide range of amenities are a gym, a sauna, and adult and child swimming pools. We also offer a number of meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 280 people.
Our helipad has been approved by the DAC (the Brazilian Department of Aeronautics). ... more | | |
 | Tulip Inn Interative  |
Score 7.925 from 25 reviews | | José Maria Lisboa, 555 | |
| The 3-star Tulip Inn Interative Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation in the elegant Jardins district, a few blocks from Paulista Avenue and Oscar Freire Street.
The rooms are fitted with cable TV, air conditioning, minibar, work desk and other amenities. The suites feature a Jaccuzi as well.
The common facilities include meeting rooms, a parking lot, bar and a restaurant serving international specialties. ... more | | |
 | Caesar Park São Paulo Faria Lima |
Score 9.25 from 2 reviews | | Rua das Olimpiadas, 205 | |
| The 4-star Caesar Park São Paulo Faria Lima has an attractive location for the business travelers who want to stay in Vila OlÃmpia, an arising business neighborhood of São Paulo.
In addition to spacious, well-equipped rooms and suites, the hotel offers a business center, several rooms for events and wireless LAN in all areas.
Staying at Caesar Park São Paulo Faria Lima, you will also have access to Reebok, the largest health club in South America.
Guests are welcome to enjoy a varied breakfast and French specialties at lunch and dinner times in the elegant Galani Restaurant.
Make sure you also drop by the casual Lobby Bar to try the Brazilian coffee and cold drinks from the morning until the evening. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in Sao Paulo |
Sacred Art Museum
The Sacred Art Museum near the Tiradentes subway stop is claimed to be the best on the subject in Brazil.
| type: | Churches and Cathedrals |
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2 hours |
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In the city tour, you are invited to accomplish a historical and tourist recognition of the city of Fortaleza! The Portuguese people were the first non-native settlers of Ceara, that in dispute with Dutchmen around the Fort of Schooneborch, originated the small village that would officially become the city of Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao, on April 13th, 1726. On this tour, you will visit the ancient and the young Fortaleza, which is today the fifth Brazilian capital with a population of approximately 2,200,000. The locals have worked together to maintain the beauty of the capital, and has kept its historical buildings and attractions, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Central Market, the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum, the Martyrs Square, the Center of Tourism and the Statue of Iracema in stunning conditions. The Beach of Meireles with its famous crafts fair, the beach that shelters the Rafts Harbor of Mucuripe and the famous beach 'Praia do Futuro' are also extremely popular attractions around Fortaleza. Other extraordinary monuments such as the Museum of Ceara and Jose de Alencar Theater are also found in the historical city of Fortaleza!
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Jeep Tour of Rio de Janeiro |
4 hours |
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Enter the Tijuca Rain Forest on a open jeep where it is possible to see the contrast of a tropical forest in the middle of a big city. Pass by the 'Cachoeira dos macacos' (monkey's waterfall). At 'Vista Chinesa' (Chinese view) where you can take pictures, you will hear the history of the reforestation process of the forest and the importance of the 'Mata Atlantica' (Atlantic Forrest). You will also pass by the 'Mesa do Imperador' (Emperor's table), Cascatinha (Taunay's waterfall), and Capela Mayrink (Mayrink Chapel).
This tour involves trekking of approximately 1 hour through an easy trail, where the botanical aspect is developed, and you will have straight contact with the local nature ecosystem. During this tour you will be able to see different types of tropical fruits, trees, monkeys and other animals, as well as various kinds of birds and butterflies.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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Sao Paulo Museum of Art
Locally known as MASP (Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo) it’s a must-see with a fine collection of Portinaris and one of the largest compilations of impressionist paintings in the world.
On Sundays, in the space below the main building, there is an open fair of antiquities and gadgets where you can find old stamps, masks, clothes and a large variety of crafts.
| type: | Hotspots |
| address: | Avenida Paulista, 1578 |
| tel: | (55)(11) 3251 5644 |
| url: | masp.uol.com.br |
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