Cocalzinho de Goiás
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Cocalzinho de Goiás is a small town and municipality in central Goiás state, Brazil. The population was 17,299 (2005 estimate) and the total area was 1,794 square kilometers.
- Population density: 8.92 inhab/km² (2003)
- Elevation: 1,152 meters
- Became a city: 1993
- Postal code: 72975-000
Location and Geography
Cocalzinho, as it is known by the inhabitants, is located in the micro-region of Entorno de Brasília, on highway BR-414, almost at the junction with highway BR-070. It is 132 kilometers from the state capital, Goiânia and is 127 km. from the national capital, Brasilia.
Municipal boundaries are with:
- North: Padre Bernardo and Vila Propício
- South: Corumbá de Goiás
- East: Santo Antônio do Descoberto and Águas Lindas de Goiás
- West: Pirenópolis
The elevation varies between 800 and 1,200 meters. Geographical relief is very irregular since the region is crossed by the Continental Divider of Waters, which separates the river basins of the Amazon and the Plata. Therefore there are numerous springs that grow until they form the major rivers of South America. For this reason it is called the Berço das Águas (the Cradle of Waters).
Major rivers are: Rio Verde, Oliveira Costa, Jacaré, Piqui, Taquaral, Corumbá, and Areias. There are many waterfalls and swimming spots. Nearby in neighboring Corumbá de Goiás there is a cavern called Gruta dos Ecos, with one of the largest subterranean lakes in South America.[1]
The municipality also contains Pico dos Pireneus, the highest point in the region, with an elevation of 1,385 meters.
Demographic and Political Data
- Population growth 1996/2000: 3.43.%
- Population in 1980: n/a
- Population in 1991: n/a
- Urban population in 2003: 6,074
- Rural population in 2003: 9,866
- Eligible voters in 2004: 10,350
- Mayor (Prefeito): Salomão Costa Araújo
- Vice-mayor (Vice-Prefeito): Valdomiro Pedro de Souza
- Councilmembers (Vereadores): 09
History and Economy
Cocalzinho began in 1960 with the arrival of a cement plant, Companhia de Cimento Portland Itaú, which closed down in 1996 putting five thousand families out of work. Since then the local population has either left for better opportunities or continued working in agriculture. Today the economy is based on agriculture, cattle raising, dairy industries and rock quarries. The area is rich in sand and decorative rock.
The name "Cocalzinho" comes from a stream called Cocá or Cocal, which has its source near the seat of the municipality.
When highway BR-414 is paved up to Niquelândia, Cocalzinho will benefit from tourism since there will be a tourist route from the Serra da Mesa lake to the Chapada dos Veadeiros national park.
Economic Indicators
- Gross Domestic Product in 2003: R$57.322 million
- GDP in 2002: R$48.994 million (97/246 municipalities in the state)
- GDP in 2002 by sectors: R$20.036 million (cattle raising and agriculture); R$6.236 million (industry); and R$21.599 (services)
- Industrial units: 19 (2005)
- Retail units: 94 (2005)
- Financial institutions: Banco Itaú S.A (2005)
- Dairy: Sírio Miguel Bisolo (2005)
Animal Raising in 2004
- Cattle: 82,000
- Poultry: 70,000
- Swine: 7,800
Main Agricultural Products in 2005
- Cotton: 1,385 hectares producing 3,460 tons
- Corn: 1,200 hectares producing 3,720 tons
- Soybeans: 3,000 hectares producing 7,800 tons
- Modest production of rice, bananas, sugarcane, lemons, manioc, and tomatoes.
Education and Health
- Literacy rate in 2000: 82.3%
- Schools: 20
- Classrooms: 115
- Teachers: 228
- Students: 5,249
- Infant mortality rate in 2000: 23.61 in 1,000 live births
- Hospitals: 01 with 27 beds
- Public health clinics (SUS): 04
Ranking on the United Nations Municipal Human Development Index
- Life expectancy: 69.093
- Adult literacy: 0.799
- School attendance: 0.741
- HDI-M: 0.703
- State ranking: 207 (out of 242 municipalities in 2000)
- National ranking: 2935 (out of 5507 in 2000 municipalities)
(All data is from 2000.)
For the complete list see [2]
