Porto Alegre, state Rio Grande do Sul

Порту Алегре, Рио Гранде ду Сул См. Фото-галерею

Rio Grande do Sul has 4 macro regions: the region known as Half South has as main activities cattle and sheep breeding, and agriculture, specially rice fields; the region known as Colonial Northwest produces mainly milk, fruits, corn and soy bean, as well food industries and services; the Colonial Region is directed to industrial production (like Marcopolo and Tramontina) and services; and the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, directed to the production of shoes (around Novo Hamburgo) and to petrochemical industries, as well as services.

Someone who was born or lives in Rio Grande do Sul is known as “gaucho”. The origins of gauchos is a mix of people from many parts of the world: native indians and immigrants from countries like Portugal, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Ucrania, as well as jewish people from all over around. From this mix it was originated a rich and peculiar culture. Among the more characteristic manifestation of "gaucha culture" we have the habit of drinking “chimarrão” (a hot drink made of a native and bitter herb); to eat “churrasco”, a kind of barbecue.

The city of Porto Alegre is located in the east part of the state, at the margins of Guaiba River and Lagoa dos Patos - the bigger lake (of non salty water) in the world. Its Metropolitan Region has 23 cities, and around 3,5 millions of inhabitants.

The city history begins in the XVIII century, when it was built at the Guaiba River margins a small dock, in order to make possible the communication with Viamão, far away 15 km and the main village of the region at that time. From this function came the name of Viamão Port. When 60 couples from the portuguese Açores Island settled in the area the name was changed to Couples Port. In 1773 the village was chosen to locate the province government, that until that moment was in Viamão. In 1809 the village becomes the city of Porto Alegre, that means Happy Port.

Around the year of 1820, the French biologist August Saint-Hilaire passed by the city, recording some characteristics existing at that time, including many that are a mark of the city until these days. The Matriz Garden, from where he saw the magnificent views at west, north and south, until today is a reference in the city and in the state. Around this Garden are locates the Catholic Cathedral, the State Parliament, the Governors Palace, the Justice Court.

People in the state has a tradition of political opposition. The Workers Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) is governing Porto Alegre since 1993 and the state since 1999 year.

Porto Alegre always had an active participation in the national scenario. It is the Brazilian capital with the highest level of education - 20% of family leaders have an university degree. There are two important universities in Porto Alegre - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and the Catholic University (PUCRS). UFRGS is among the three main universities of the country, mainly regarding it courses at post-graduation level. In the Metropolitan Region there are two important universities - ULBRA and UNISINOS, and many university centers.

Among the main business located in Porto Alegre we have Gerdau, Ipiranga, Zaffari and RBS. Since last year, General Motors (GM) is operating in Gravataí - located in the Metropolitan Region. Also in this Region, but in Triunfo, there is a Petrochemical Pole, in Alvorada Dell Computers is establishing a plant. In the health sector, there two hospitals considered among the best in Latin America (Santa Casa and HPCA). Commerce is a very important economic activity, vith many malls (like Rua da Praia and Shopping Iguatemi).