Rio Claro, São Paulo

Município de Rio Claro
Area
 • Total 1,498,008 km2 (578,384.1 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Total 186,299
 • Density 124.36/km2 (322.1/sq mi)

Rio Claro is a city in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2005 was 195,131 and the area is 521 km². The elevation is 613 m. It was incorporated as the village of São João Batista do Ribeirão Claro in 1827, and this incorporation is celebrated every year on June 24 as a municipal holiday.

The name was changed later to Rio Claro. Starting in the 19th century, Rio Claro attracted large numbers of immigrants from European countries, especially from Germany, Switzerland and Italy, but also from Spain, Portugal, some Eastern European countries, and a substantial community of Christian Arabs from the then Ottoman Empire (mostly Syrian and Lebanese).

Japanese immigrants arrived later. There is also a large population of Afro-Brazilians.

Rio Claro used to play a very important role in the railway system of São Paulo state. Rio Claro hosts one public university, UNESP, offering courses in Geology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Physical Education, Ecology, Biology and Pedagogy (teacher training).

Contents

Facts

Sports

The city's two football (soccer) clubs are Rio Claro Futebol Clube, founded in 1909, and Associação Esportiva Velo Clube, founded in 1910.

Anthem of Rio Claro

Lyrics: Profª Celeste Calil
Music: Profª Lígia do C. Polastri

I
Salve, Salve Rio Claro Querida
Linda terra de céu sempre azul
Quem te vê uma vez, não te olvida
Pois te embala o Cruzeiro do Sul!

II
O nascer no teu seio de ouro,
É trazer no feliz coração,
O teu nome, sublime tesouro,
Protegido por meigo São João!

Estribilho
Rioclarenses, bem alto cantemos
Este hino, com todo fervor,
Pois a terra maior pertencemos
Em carinho, energia e valor!

III
O teu solo tão fértil, encerra
Mil riquezas, fartura sem par,
Teu comércio engrandece esta terra,
Tua indústria operosa é exemplar!

IV
E a instrução que é estrela potente
A brilhar no teu céu cor de anil
Faz do jovem, valor consciente
Na defesa do nosso Brasil!

Estribilho
Rioclarenses, bem alto cantemos...

External links