Itu

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For other uses, see Itu (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 23°15′51″S 47°17′57″W / 23.26417°S 47.29917°W / -23.26417; -47.29917

Map
Coat of Arms Flag
Statistics
State: São Paulo
Meso-region: Metropolitana Paulista
Microrregions: Sorocaba
Anniversary: February 2
Location: 23° 15' 51" S 47° 17' 57" W
Area: 641.68 km²
Population: 157.384 (2009)
Population density: 243.9/km²
Elevation: 583 m
Postal code: 13300-xxx
Area/distance code: (00)55-11
Climate: Subtropical
Name of inhabitants or denomym: Ituano
Website: www.itu.sp.gov.br
Population Statistics
Urban: 123,942
Rural: 11,424
Other
Literacy rate: 92.53%
Distance from the state capital: 88 km

Itu is an old and historic municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2009 was 157,384[1] and the area is 641.68 km². The elevation is 583 m. This place name comes from the Tupi language, meaning big waterfall. Itu is linked with the highway numbered the SP-75 and are flowed with two rivers, Tietê and Jundiaí. Itu has five hospitals, eleven bank agencies and one shopping center, the Plaza Shopping Itu.

Itu was founded by the Portuguese in 1610 by Domingos Fernandes. It became a parish in 1653. In 1657, it was elevated to a town and municipality. It became a part of Brazil in 1822. It became a city in 1843.

Itu was the birthplace of the Brazilian Republic and has a renowned museum.

Itu became a famous town after "Simplicio" a well known Brazilian comedian, born in Itu, was made Tourism Secretary and to increase tourism promoted it as the "capital of large things". For example, the town square holds a giant 4mt high yellow phone-booth "orelhão". The Itu popsicle is about 30 cm (1 foot) tall. And a giant Christmas tree.

With the increase in domestic tourism the infrastructure soon developed to attract foreign visitors as well as international meetings, seminars and congress events. In 1999 and 2003 the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement held their international delegation session in Itu bringing people from over 80 countries to the city at each event.

Geography

Its climate is subtropical, temperatures varies from 16° and 22°. The summer is warm and dry, and the winters are moderately cold and dry.

It is located between the crystalline plateau and sedimentary areas.

Population history

Year   Population Change Density
2001   135,366   - 211.51/km²
2004 149,758 14,392 / 10.63%   234.0/km²
2009 157,384 7,626 / 0.51% 245.9/km²

Demographics

According to the 2000 IBGE Census, the population was 136,366, of which 123,942 are urban and 11,424 are rural. Its life expectancy for the city was 71.53 years. The literacy rate was at 92.53%.

Transportation

Images

  • Itu's main parochial church.

  • Giant traffic signal. Itu is known as the capital of "large things"

  • Energy Museum

  • Giant public pay phone. Itu is known as the capital of "large things"

  • Itu celebrated its 400th birthday in 2010.

  • Igreja de Cristo (Church of Christ)

See also

  • Primo Schincariol

References

  1. ↑ Estimativas das populações residentes, em 1º de julho de 2009, segundo os Municípios, IBGE

External links

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