Teresópolis

For the neighbourhood in Porto Alegre, Brazil, see Teresópolis, Rio Grande do Sul.

Coordinates: 22°24′43″S 42°57′57″W / 22.41194°S 42.96583°W

Teresópolis
Município de Teresópolis

View from Pedra do Sino

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): Terê
Motto: "Sub Digitum Dei"
(Latin for, "Under God's Finger")

Anthem:

Problems playing this file? See media help.

Location of Teresópolis in the state of Rio de Janeiro
Coordinates: 22°24′43″S 42°57′57″W / 22.41194°S 42.96583°W
Country Brazil
Region Southeast
State Rio de Janeiro
Founded 1891
Government
 • Mayor Arlei de Oliveira Rosa
Area
 • Total 770.6 km2 (297.5 sq mi)
Elevation 871 m (2,858 ft)
Population (2010)[1]
 • Total 163,746
 • Density 212.5/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-3 (UTC-3)
Website teresopolis.rj.gov.br

Teresópolis (Portuguese pronunciation: [teɾeˈzɔpolis]) is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in a mountainous region known as Região Serrana. The Serra dos Órgãos National Park lies partly within the city limits. The city is known as the home of the Brazilian national football team, since it hosts CBF's training ground at Granja Comary.[2]

History

Founding of Teresopolis by then Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Francisco Portela on July 6, 1890.

Before the arrival of the Portuguese to the area where Teresópolis lies today, in the 16th century, it was inhabited by Indians. In the following centuries, Portuguese started buying land there. The region was also occupied by a quilombo, formed by runaway slaves coming from sugar cane plantations near Rio de Janeiro.

In 1821, English citizen George March (born and raised in Portugal) established a farm there, which later became the most important settlement along the way between the court, in Rio de Janeiro, and the territory of Gerais (nowadays, the state of Minas Gerais), which led to the great improvement of agriculture and cattle raising.

The Brazilian imperial family was much impressed by the natural beauty and the climate of the region, which developed slowly so that in 1855 the settlement became a village that was named Freguesia de Santo Antonio de Paquequer.

The further development of the village was due to the traders that came from Minas Gerais in the way to Rio de Janeiro, and used the region as a resting stop. Finally, on July 6, 1891, the village became a municipality that was named Teresópolis, after empress Dona Teresa Cristina, wife of emperor Dom Pedro II.

Geography

According to the 2010 Brazilian Census, the city has a population of 163,746 within a land area of 770,6 km2. The Serra dos Órgãos National Park is in the vicinity. Its predominant vegetation belongs to the Atlantic Forest type. The city is surrounded by forests and by well-known summits or peaks, because of which the city is known as the national capital of mountaineering. The most famous peaks are:

Of these, Dedo de Deus ("God's finger") is the most famous.

Climate

Teresópolis features a Subtropical highland climate type Cwb, with relatively cold and dry winters and mild and wet summers. The annual average temperature is 16 °C/60.8 °F.

The official lowest temperature registered downtown is −4 °C. Teresópolis has one of the mildest climates in Brazil[3] and this is one reason why the area has been chosen as Brazilian Football Confederation's training headquarters, hosting the Brazil national football team, located in Granja Comary.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average High °C 26 27 24 23 21 19 18 20 21 20 22 25 21
Average Low °C 17 18 16 14 10 9 8 7 10 12 14 15 12
Precipitation mm 274.7 259.8 226.4 138.4 84.4 62.3 50.6 60.0 49.1 142.2 217.0 314.9 1,879.8

Tragedy

The uncontrolled growth of Teresópolis and other cities of the mountainous region near Rio de Janeiro led to the construction of a great number of houses in mountainous terrain or on the banks of rivers. This fact, together with a 24-hour rainfall that exceeded what was expected for the entire month, caused a series of floods and mudslides in January 2011. A number of 382 people died and thousands lost their houses in the event, which is considered the worst weather-related tragedy in Brazilian history. .[4][5]

Gallery

Sister cities

Teresópolis' sister cities are:

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ http://www.teresopolison.com/cbf.php
  3. ↑ "Os encantos de Teresópolis". Geórgia Honório. 365 dias viajando. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  4. ↑ Stuart Grudgings (January 12, 2011). "UPDATE 5-At least 257 died as rains pummeled this Brazilian region". Reuters. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  5. ↑ Tom Phillips (January 14, 2011). "Brazil Landslides Death Toll Rises". The Guardian. Retrieved January 14, 2011.

External links

Official

Tourism