Aracaju

Aracaju
Municipality
The Municipality of Aracaju

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): "Cajueiro dos Papagaios" ("Cashew tree of the Parrots")
Motto: "Cidade de Todos" ("City of Everybody")

Location of Aracaju in the State of Sergipe
Country  Brazil
Region Northeast
State Sergipe
Founded 1592
Incorporated (as capital) March 17. 1855
Government
 • Mayor João Alves Filho (DEM)
Area
 • Total 181.857 km2 (70.215 sq mi)
Elevation 4 m (13 ft)
Population (2013)
 • Total 614,577
 • Density 3,400/km2 (8,800/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-3 (UTC-3)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-2 (UTC-2)
Postal Code 49000-000
Area code(s) (+55) 79
Website Aracaju

Aracaju (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɾakaˈʒu]) is the capital of the State of Sergipe, Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country on the coast, about 350 km (217 mi) north of Salvador. According to the 2013 Census, the city has 614,577 inhabitants, which represents approximately 33% of the state population. Adding to the populations of the municipalities forming the Metropolitan area: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Santa Luzia Island and Saint Christopher, the number goes to 899 239 inhabitants.

The coast of Aracaju has many unspoiled beaches, such as the ones in Santa Luzia Island, and urban beaches, such as the most famous Atalaia. These coastal neighborhoods include playgrounds, squares, football fields, volleyball and basketball courts, residential buildings, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, banks and hotels although the most populated region is placed 13km away in downtown area.

Aracaju, one of the first cities to be planned in Brazil, was built with the intention of becoming the state capital. It was founded in 1855, as the capital of Sergipe.

Despite being the least populated northeastern capital, its location is an important strategic point while urban, economic, cultural and political center for Brazil.

It is noted as the capital with lower inequality in Brazilian Northeast, as the city with the healthiest lifestyles of the country, national example in consideration of bike paths in the projects of urban displacement and is considered the capital of the country with lowest smoking rate, according the National Health Ministry.

In line to be recognized as the Quality of Life metropolis is gaining prominence innovative urban displacement system called CashewBike. The project consists in using platforms scattered throughout the city, where you can rent bicycles to practice physical activity but also as any means of clean efficient transportation. In that case, provides an important integration to main bus chain terminals and near to the top colleges around the city.

The city has emerged as a good choice in low-cost tourism. Recognized as one of the safest capitals in the Northeast region and the lowest costs of living in the country, more recently has focused its tourism business in creating quality accommodation, such as world-renowned hostels. Through planned public transportation improvements were aimed at increasing the comfort and integration to the visitors users. In advance of seeking access facilities, bus lines have been performed and can be monitored in real time here

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup the city was selected as a training center for the Greek national football team.

History

Antiga Cadeia Publica in 1907

Although the first contact of the Portuguese in Sergipe was here, the first and most important city of that place which would be a province in the future was São Cristóvão (Saint Christopher), which became a city in 1590 as the fourth founded city in Brazil and was capital of Sergipe from 1823 to 1855. In the mid-19th century, there was a sudden need for a purpose-built harbor and administrative centers, and the core of modern Aracaju was constructed overnight, becoming the province capital in 1855, and after 1889 the state capital. In 1910, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Aracaju.

Unlike the other Brazilian capitals that were planned and built in the 19th century, Aracaju is known throughout the country for its modern look, several festivals, and pre-carnival feast. Oil wealth, sugar cane cultivation, and more recently tourism continue to stimulate its growing economy. Colonial towns, such as Laranjeiras and São Cristóvão, are only a short bus ride away (Adapted from The Rough Guide to Brazil (2000), UK).

Geography

Climate

The climate is hot and humid. The average annual temperature is 26 °C and average annual rainfall of 1695 mm.[1]

The warmest months Aracaju experiences are: January, February and March, with temperatures averaging 27°C,[2] while the average highs are 30°C[3] and the minimum is 24°C.[4] The coldest are July and August, with temperatures averaging 24°C,[2] with a mean maximum not exceeding 28°C,[3] and at night the temperature drops to 22°C.[4] But it may happen that the temperature gets warmer in winter and cooler in summer, as in 2002.

Aracaju experiences its wettest months between March and July, owing to the strong wind created by lower temperatures in the South and Southeast. During this period, the average amount of rainfall exceeds 200 mm per month. Between those months, the rainiest is May, where it rains about 334 mm. The driest months, between September and February, see the winds weakening and only really managing to bring light clouds. There is also less rain. The driest month is November, when it rains about 52 mm. The average rainfall between these months is approximately between 50 mm and 100 mm.[1]

Climate data for Aracaju (1961–1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.6
(85.3)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29.4
(84.9)		 28.5
(83.3)		 27.6
(81.7)		 27
(81)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.4
(81.3)		 28.2
(82.8)		 28.6
(83.5)		 29.1
(84.4)		 28.5
(83.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27
(81)		 27.1
(80.8)		 27.1
(80.8)		 26.7
(80.1)		 26
(79)		 25.1
(77.2)		 24.4
(75.9)		 24.4
(75.9)		 25
(77)		 25.9
(78.6)		 26.3
(79.3)		 26.6
(79.9)		 26
(79)
Average low °C (°F) 24.3
(75.7)		 24.2
(75.6)		 24.2
(75.6)		 23.6
(74.5)		 23.1
(73.6)		 22.3
(72.1)		 21.6
(70.9)		 21.6
(70.9)		 22.5
(72.5)		 23.3
(73.9)		 23.5
(74.3)		 23.8
(74.8)		 23.2
(73.8)
Record low °C (°F) 20.5
(68.9)		 19.7
(67.5)		 19.8
(67.6)		 20
(68)		 19
(66)		 17.8
(64)		 17.6
(63.7)		 14.6
(58.3)		 18
(64)		 19
(66)		 18
(64)		 16
(61)		 14.6
(58.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 77.9
(3.067)		 85.1
(3.35)		 175.7
(6.917)		 261.2
(10.283)		 333.8
(13.142)		 207.2
(8.157)		 174.7
(6.878)		 113.9
(4.484)		 91.4
(3.598)		 65.8
(2.591)		 52.3
(2.059)		 56.3
(2.217)		 1,695.2
(66.74)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 7 9 13 15 17 18 16 13 10 5 5 5 133
Average relative humidity (%) 78.1 76.6 78 79.6 77.6 77.3 78.2 78.2 78.1 78.7 78.8 79 78.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 264.1 224.3 234.1 210.6 205 176.7 200.7 221.9 218.5 250.6 262.9 251.6 2,721
Source: Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology (INMET).[5][2][3][4][1][6][7][8]

Vegetation

Sergipe river.

Aracaju lies in tropical forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, with minimum normal annual rainfall between 2,000 mm (about 78 inches or 2 meters) and 1,700 mm (about 67 inches). The soil can be poor because high rainfall tends to leach out soluble nutrients.

Economy

The economy is based on services and industry.

The GDP for the city was R$ 5,021,660,000 (2005).[9]

Education

Aracaju is the most important educational centre of the state.

Portuguese is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools, with English and Spanish which one of then also part of the official high school curriculum.

Educational institutions

Culture

Palácio Olímpio Campos, which building of the former Centre of Aracaju, decorated for Christmas.

Museum

Museu do Artesanato, Museu do Instituto Histórico e Geográfico de Sergipe, Museu do Homem Sergipano, Museu Memorial de Sergipe, Museu de Antropologia, Museu de Arte Bélica da Polícia Militar de Sergipe and Museu de Arte e História Rosa Faria, Museu da Gente Sergipana.

Library

Arquivo Público Estadual de Sergipe, Biblioteca da FANESE and Biblioteca Pública Epiphâneo Dórea.

Movies

Movie theaters in the Jardins Mall and Riomar Mall(Cinemark), and Shopping Premium.

Aracaju-Santa Maria Airport


Infrastructure

Airport

The city is served by the Santa Maria Airport. It began operating on 30 October 1952 with a single 1,200m runway, though it did not have an access road until 1958. In 1961, the runway was extended to 1,500m and a passenger terminal was built in 1962. Since February 1975 the airport is operated by Infraero. The runway was further extended to 2,200m in 1993 and the passenger terminal greatly enlarged in 1998.

Highways

Aracaju is connected to the major cities of Brazil by BR-235 and BR-101 federal highways.

Sister cities

Social problems

Main article: Crime in Brazil and Social issues in Brazil

Images

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Precipitação Acumulada Mensal e Anual (mm)" (in Portuguese). Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. 1961–1990. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Temperatura Média Compensada (°C)" (in Portuguese). Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. 1961–1990. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Temperatura Máxima (°C)" (in Portuguese). Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. 1961–1990. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Temperatura Mínima (°C)" (in Portuguese). Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. 1961–1990. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Temperatura Mínima Absoluta (ºC)". Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet). Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Número de Dias com Precipitação Maior ou Igual a 1 mm (dias)". Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Insolação Total (horas)". Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Umidade Relativa do Ar Média Compensada (%)". Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ GDP (PDF) (in Portuguese). Aracaju, Brazil: IBGE. 2005. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved 2007-07-18.

External links

Coordinates: 10°55′00″S 37°03′00″W / 10.9167°S 37.05°W