Porto Alegre

INTRO
One of the largest cities in Brazil and the capital of the Rio Grande do Sul state, Porto Alegre is the most significant port city and one of the best tourist destinations in the area. With its historical heritage and outstanding nature, it welcomes you for an unforgettable stay and a unique taste of the Brazilian culture.

City Profile
City: Porto Alegre
Country: Brazil
Area: 496.8 km2
Population: 1,440,939
Districts: 78
Mayor: José Fogaça
Language: Portuguese

LOCATION
Because of its location on the junction of five rivers, officially referred to as Guaiba Lake, Porto Alegre is the most important port city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This geographical position on the eastern end of the lake enables continuous transportation link between its port and Buenos Aires. Apart from that, the city is easily accessible through its modern international airport.

TIME TO VISIT
In terms of the weather, Porto Alegre is mostly enjoyable during the spring as the temperatures vary between 12 and 28 degrees Celsius and the precipitation is less than the other seasons'. Summers are usually very muggy because of the high humidity but the temperatures are not too extreme- rarely exceeding 32 degrees Celsius. The period from November till February is marked by several traditional Brazilian celebrations including the famous book fair, which makes it a good time for a vacation. Winters are mild with no snowfall and temperatures ranging around 5 degrees C.

POPULATION
According to the most recent estimates, there are more than four million people living in Porto Alegre Metropolitan Area. The majority of the city's population has European descent, predominantly Italian, German and Portuguese. The rest of the residents have Asian or African ancestors. The official language in the city is Portuguese but, just as in any other major Brazilian city, English and Spanish are a part of the educational system and thus are spoken mainly by the younger generations. Porto Alegre is one of the most diverse cities in Latin America as it welcomes immigrants from various parts of the world, including people from Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, etc.

DISTRICTS
Geographically, the city of Porto Alegre is divided into 78 official bairros or neighbourhoods. The district which is of greatest interest for the tourists, however, is the downtown area.

Downtown Porto Alegre is the old part of the city and is like an open door architectural museum displaying beautiful historic buildings dating from the most prosperous times of the city. Walking around this historic centre, one will encounter Porto Alegre City Hall, the Central Public Market, Post and Telegraph Offices and many others.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Porto Alegre is like a living museum with many historic buildings and beautiful park areas. Whenever you come to the city, make sure to visit the following places:

Farroupilha Park is the largest park and the best recreational area in the city. It contains a mini zoo, an amusement park for the children, many paths for cycling or walking, a soccer field and over 45 monuments. Every Sunday the park hosts a flea market, Brique da Redençao, making it the best day for a visit.
Piratini Palace is a national monument and the seat of the government of Rio Grande do Sul. The building was constructed in 1909 and the design is a mix of neoclassic and baroque architectural style. The inside decorations include paintings by a talented Italian artist.
Museum of Art of Rio Grande do Sul building is not only a national historic landmark but it also has the largest collection of paintings in the state. The building itself was designed by a German architect in neoclassical style while the interior fascinates with the major works of many local, national and world-famous artists.
Central Public Market is another historic landmark of Brazil which underwent a serious renovation in the recent years. The market is a concentration area of various goods and products and a perfect place for lunch or coffee break.
Porto Alegre City Hall is also known as the Palace of the Azorians. Again ornamented in neoclassical style, the building was chosen a national historic landmark in 1979. A gift from the Spanish stands across the hall in commemoration of the Farroupilha Revolution in 1935.
Casa de Cultura Mário Quintana, or the Cultural Centre building, was built in the beginning of the century in neoclassical style by the same German architect who designed the Museum of Art. Today, it is one of the biggest cultural centres in Latin America and provides a beautiful view over the city from its top Majestic Cafe.

AIRPORT
Both domestic and international flights arrive at the city's nearby airport every day.

Salgado Filho International Airport is located only 6 km away from the centre of Porto Alegre. The cheapest way to reach downtown is to take the metro that connects it to the airport. Buses also run from the city to the airport for reasonable prices but might get a little crowded during the rush hours. If you are in a hurry, however, a taxi ride to the city should cost R20.
More info at: http://www.infraero.gov.br/usa/aero_prev_home.php?ai=226

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Travelling around Porto Alegre is not difficult:

Public buses in Porto Alegre are quite reliable and convenient as they go almost anywhere in the city.
Metro is the other cheap way of getting from one district in the city to the other for only 75 centavos.
Taxis are available and metred but the taxi drivers might try to overcharge if they have the chance. Besides that, taking a cab is not that expensive and rather fast way of getting around the city.
Renting cars is possible as many car rental companies offer good prices on various vehicles.

HISTORY
The earliest settlement of Porto Alegre dates back to the middle of the 18th century when the area was predominantly inhabited by the Azorians and was known under the name of "Porto dos Casais", meaning "Port of the Couples". The official foundation of the city, however, took place in 1809. It has always been an important port due to its strategic location on the shores of Guaiba Lake. Because of its living friendly conditions, Porto Alegre has attracted many immigrants from all over the world and thus today, it is the economic, cultural and industrial centre of Southern Brazil.

CITY LINKS

Tolics, A Daily Newspaper in Portuguese: http://www.topix.com/br/porto-alegre
Porto Alegre Official Website: http://www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/
Porto Alegre Visitors and Convention Website: http://www.poaconvention.com.br/english/index.php?content=perfil_beneficio

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul: www.ufrgs.br
The Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul: www.pucrs.br
Universidade SEBRAE de Negocios: http://www.usen.com.br/
Faculdade Porto-Alegrense de Educaçao: http://www1.fapa.com.br/php/home.php