Campos do Jordão

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Município da Estância Climática de Campos do Jordão
The city's gate
Flag Seal
Nickname: Suíça Brasileira (Brazilian Switzerland)
Location of Campos do Jordão
Country	Brazil
Region	Southeast
State	São Paulo
Founded	April 29, 1874
Government
- Mayor	João Paulo Ismael (PMDB)
Area
- Total	289.512 km² (111.8 sq mi)
Elevation	1,628 m (5,341 ft)
Population (2006)
- Total	49,512
- Density	171/km² (442.9/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC-3)
- Summer (DST)	UTC-2 (UTC-2)
Postal Code	12460-000
HDI (2000)	0.820 – high
Website: Campos do Jordão, São Paulo

Panoramic view of the city, from the Mirante do Morro do Elefante, May 2002. Photo by Renato M.E. Sabbatini

A shopping mall with the typical Swiss-inspired style common in the city. May 2002. Photo by Renato M.E. Sabbatini

The gate lets people know they'll enter the city

Coordinates: 22°44′22″S, 45°35′29″W Campos do Jordão is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2003 was 47,903 and the area is 290.27 km². The elevation is 1,628 m.

The city's economy is based mainly in tourism; due to its location at high elevation (on the Mantiqueira mountains) and European-looking architecture. Buildings are mostly German, Swiss or Italian inspired. Economic classes A and B build their winter country houses there and July (the winter season vacations) sees an enormous influx of visitors (more than quadrupling the city's population), due in part to the winter festival of classical music. Its attractions throughout the year include German and Swiss food restaurants, bars and a cable car. There are many pousadas (inns) and chalets.

There are numerous outdoor activities for winter residents and tourists. These include hiking, mountain climbing, treetop cable swings (arborismo), horseback riding, ATV riding, and motorbike riding. The mountain ranges provide unique panoramic views and much of the area is still undeveloped. Also, in order to cater to the large number of visitors, several bars, lounges, discos and clubs will open up during the winter months.

The state governor has also his winter residence there, the Boa Vista Castle.

The city, due to its elevation, is relatively cold for Brazilian standards. In summer, maximum temperatures average 21°C and minimum temperatures average 12°C. In winter, maximum temperatures average 15°C and minimum temperatures average 3°C. Temperatures drop below zero sometimes in winter (lowest recorded: -7.3°C), but snow is extremely rare. The winter is normally the dry season and the colder weather allows for warm fireplaces and winter foods such as fondue, soups and hot chocolate.

Despite of the high income of many visitors, Campos do Jordão has not a very high HDI, (0.820 in 2004), because the owners of houses in the best neighbourhoods are not regular inhabitants; these houses are used only during the holidays. The city can be reached from São Paulo mainly by road through the Rodovia Floriano Rodrigues Pinheiro. There is also a picturesque railroad from Pindamonhangaba, used mostly by tourists. At the end of the main road going through Campos do Jordao, there is a state park called Horto Florestal.

[edit] External links

• (Portuguese) Mapa de Campos do Jordão
• (Portuguese) Campos do Jordão
• (Portuguese) www.guiadecamposdojordao.com.br
• (Portuguese) www.buscacamposdojordao.com.br
• (Portuguese) www.suicabrasileira.com
• (Portuguese) Campos do Jordão TV
• (Portuguese) Turismo em Campos do Jordão