Caxias do Sul
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Municipality of Caxias do Sul | |
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| Location in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil | |
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| Basic Information | |
| Nicknames: | "Pearl of the Colonies" "Capital of the Mountains" |
| Country: | Brazil |
| State: | Rio Grande do Sul |
| Area: | 1,625.97 km² |
| Population (2006): | 412.053 |
| Density: | 250,7/km² |
| GDP (2004): - per capita |
R$ 8.117.442.000,00 R$ 20.485,00 |
| HDI (2000) | 0.857 — high |
| Economic Distribution (2004): | Industry: 61,93% Services: 33,22% Agriculture: 4,82% |
| Elevation: | 760 - 800 m |
| Life expectancy (2005): | 74,11 years |
| Area code: | 54 |
| Time zone : | UTC-3 |
| Website : | www.caxias.rs.gov.br |
| Government | |
| Administration Type: | Municipality |
| Mayor: | José Ivo Sartori |
Caxias do Sul is a city in Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil, situated in the state's moutainous Serra Gaúcha region. It was established by Italian immigrants on June 20, 1890. Today it is the second largest city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The demonym of the citizens of Caxias do Sul is caxiense.
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[edit] History
The history of Caxias do Sul starts before the Italians, when the region was being roamed by cattlemen and occupied by Indians. Back then, the region was called ‘Indians Field’. The Italian immigrants’ occupation, mostly farmers from the Veneto region (Italy), started taking place in 1875 in Nova Milano. Hence, they were in search of a better place to live. They also met people Lombardy, Trento, and other places. Although they had gotten some governmental support, such as tools, supplies, and seeds, everything had to be reimbursed.
Two years later, the colonial headquarters of the Indians’ Field was given the name Caxias Colony. The town was created on the 20th of July 1890 and acknowledged in the same year, on the 24th of August. Many economic cycles marked the evolvement of the city throughout that century. The first one is connected to the most peculiar aspect of its cultural identity: the growth of vines and the production of wine for own consumption at first, and later on, for commercialization.
On June first, 1910 Caxias do Sul was elevated to the category of city. On the same day, the first train arrived connecting the region to the state capital. Although the immigrants were farmers, many of them used to perform other activities. They settled down, urbanized the region, and started a fast paced process of industrialization.
In the countryside, subsistence agriculture concentrates on the cultivation of grapes, wheat, and corn. Home manufactories start to emerge and the overproduction was commercialized. In the beginning, grape and wheat. As time went by, along with the human process the home manufacture became diverse. Then, Caxias do Sul evolved from small home workshops to today’s big factories known internationally.
The University of Caxias do Sul was founded in 1976, a systematical center for culture.
Nowadays, Caxias do Sul is the main city of the most diversified region in the country, due to its industrious colonists, vast vineyards, wineries, varied industrial park, and a rich and dynamic market. Those attributes grant this land a greater dimension, the reason why Caxias do Sul, “the capital of the mountains”, “pearl of the colonies”, “hive of work”, is considered the center of the of the Italian mark in southern Brazil per se.
Along with the immigrants, other ethnic groups shared this path. Miscegenation and acculturation took place. Songs and language, customs and traditions have approached. The Italian cultural heritage and the beautiful southern tradition live together. Barbecue (churrasco) and wine, polenta (porridge made of cornmeal) and roasted spring chicken (galeto), and pasta to the sound of beautiful lyrics translated from the faraway Italy and other local productions, provide hues, sounds, and special flavors to this metropolis’ typical cookery. It’s the southern abundance combined with the so special Italian flavoring.
[edit] Population growth
The following table shows the development of the number of inhabitants according to census data of IBGE.
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[edit] Climate
The city is located in the mountains of the Serra Gaucha, 760 m (about 2000 feet) above sea level. Its climate is subtropical. The average annual temperature is 16°C, with 21°C in January and 11° in July. Frosts are common in the winter, and there is on average one snowy day per year. Its record temperature extremes are -12°C and 37°C.
[edit] Economy
In Caxias do Sul, several small, medium, large and multinational companies were founded. The city is recognized as an Entrepreneurial-Exporting Hub in the country. Some of these companies are: Marcopolo (buses and truck frames, present in six countries), it is present in its own manufacturing companies in Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and in South African, in addition to the technology that will be transferred to China. One of the largest manufacturers of bus bodies in the world, it has recently also begun to operate in the segment of LCV (Light Commercial Vehicles), parts and components, and plastic products. It also has over 10,000 employees and a commercial and after-sales network spread over the 5 continents; Randon S.A. - Implementos e Participações is a mixed holding company, leader of a group of seven companies that employ a workforce of 6,6 thousand employees. They operate in the sectors of road equipment / railway wagons / specialty vehicles/ auto parts/ automotive systems, and services; Agrale S/A which owns 4 industrial plants, being the only Brazilian company with 100% national capital making vehicles, tractors and diesel engines; Tramontina silverware company based in Carlos Barbosa with plants throughout Brazil; Grendene, a manufacturer of shoes based in neighboring Farroupilha; Todeschini, a manufacturer of furniture based in nearby Bento Gonçalves, the wine capital of Brazil; Florense based in Flores da Cunha, (furniture, tailor-made kitchen cabinets) among others and several textile factories and wineries. The per capita income in Caxias do Sul is one of the highest in Brazil according to IBGE.
[edit] Politics
As of January 2006, the mayor is José Ivo Sartori, of the PMDB party. He succeeds former mayor Pepe Vargas, of the PT party, who served two consecutive terms.
[edit] Soccer Teams
Caxias do Sul is home to the S.E.R. Caxias and Juventude soccer clubs. In general, Juventude is viewed as the team of the wealthy fan while the S.E.R. Caxias team is an underdog team favored by the working class. Even though both teams have recently claimed the Campeonato Gaúcho, Juventude has had greater luck at national level, since the team has been in the first division of the Campeonato Brasileiro for over ten years, while Caxias, as of 2006, plays in the third division. Juventude also has the third biggest population of fans in the state, just behind the two major teams of the state capital city, Porto Alegre.O Juventude não devia ter perdido para aqueles coloradinhos.......
[edit] Tourism
The city has many tourist attractions to offer its visitors: museums, churches, culture, music and all types of leisure activities. Beautiful nature can be found in the city and the surroundings. Parks provide good places to hang out with friends and the family while the mountains give you incredibly beautifu views. Some of the buildings in the city and outskirts were built many years ago by italians when they first came here.
The city also hosts the popular National Grape and Wine Festival,which celebrates the italian heritage. It's one of the most famous events in the country and it's called Festa da Uva. Lots of merrymaking, wine drinking, grapes and beautiful people animate the month of February, every two years (on even-numbered years).Visitors taste cheese, grapes and various Brazilian wines. Visitors interested in the regions wine can also visit the Château Lacave Castle, a 6th Century-style medieval structure that currently functions as a winery. Caxias do Sul is also one of the four settlements along the beautiful Caminhos da Colônia scenic tourist route in the Serra Gaúcha.
[edit] Gallery
 The tallest building in the city and also in the state called Parque do Sol |
 The main square located in citie´s downtown is called Dante Alighieri |
 Getúlio Vargas Park is the largest urban park in the city |
 The City Hall of Caxias do Sul |
 New neighbourhood at Iguatemi´s area |
 Iguatemi Mall brought a lot of development and new oportunities to the city. Nowadays, he has been sorrounded by new neighbourhoods in the part of the city that is growing up faster |
 The main street which provides the entrance to University of Caxias do Sul. It is well known for being one of the most beautiful places in the city |
 Families playing at the university on the weekend |
 The Chamber of Councilors |
 Panoramic view of the city |
 A soccer field at the university and behind the outskirts of the city on the hills |
 Residential area at Nossa senhora de Lourdes neighbourhood |
[edit] External Links
- City Hall of Caxias do Sul
- Street Map of Caxias do Sul
- Local Newspaper "O Pioneiro" (The Pioneer)
- The University of Caxias do Sul
- Juventude Soccer Club
- S.E.R. Caxias Soccer Club
- Caxias Bus Station and Schedules
- Caxias do Sul Tourist Guide
- Official Festa da Uva Site(The Grape Festival)
- Chateau Lacave Castle
