Vacaria
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| Vacaria | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country |  Brazil |
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| Region | South | ||
| State | Rio Grande do Sul | ||
| Founded | October 22, 1850 | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 2,123.674 km² (820 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 971 m (3,186 ft) | ||
| Population (2006) | |||
| - Total | 62,261 | ||
| - Density | 29.3/km² (75.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) | ||
| HDI (2000) | 0.805 – high | ||
| Website: Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul | |||
Vacaria is a Brazilian city in the northeast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is located at a latitude of 28º 30' 44" South and a longitude of 50º 56' 02" west, with an altitude of 971 meters. Its population in 2004 was estimated to be 60,756 inhabitants. The total area of the city is 2105.6 km².
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[edit] History
It was the Jesuit missionaries that, in the 16th century, started the colonization of the area by spreading the livestock brought from the reductions to the extensive wilderness known as "Baqueria de los Piñales". During more than a century, disputes with the Guarani indians marked the history of the region, before it was consolidated as an official trail connecting the Plata region to Brazil. In the 19th century the fields of Vacaria were once more the stage of great battles, this time between the imperial soldiers and the republican revolutionists (War of the Farrapos).
[edit] Economy
Its economy is based on cattle raising, agriculture, transportation, flower growing and fruit growing. Vacaria is the largest producer of apples in Rio Grande do Sul and 2nd in the country and is considered the introductory location of wild fruits such as mulberry, bilberry, strawberry and raspberry. The per capita income was estimated by the IBGE in 2003 to be R$ 9.213,91
[edit] Attractions
Venue of the International Crioulo Rodeo (Rodeio Crioulo Internacional), one of the most important demonstrations of the gaucho culture, the city has also other attractions, such as the Fazenda do Socorro and the beautiful stone-built Cathedral of Our Lady of the Olive Tree.
On top of the natural attractions such as the beautiful sceneries like the valley of the Pelotas River or the Parque das Cachoeiras, Vacaria has other interesting cultural attractions, like the city museum, the Atelier Livre, the public market, the center of craftwork and the Casa do Povo, the only work of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer in Rio Grande do Sul. Vacaria is also known for the production of cheese such as the Italian cheese Grana Padano.
[edit] Climate
The climate is subtropical with mild summers, having an average high 77°F and an average low of 69°F. In the winter, colder because of the altitude, the average high temperature of about 61°F and an average low of 45°F. During winter the temperature commonly goes below freezing but rarely does it snow. The city holds the record of snow fall in Brazil with 2m height on August 7, 1879. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 14°F.
