Ribeirão Preto

關於Ribeirão Preto

Ribeirão Preto is a city and a metropolitan area located in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil.

Ribeirão Preto is the eighth-largest municipality in the state, with an area of 650.9 km2 (251.3 mi2). In 2021, the municipality proper had an estimated population of 720,216 and the wider metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,178,910. It is located 313 km (194 mi) from the city of São Paulo and 706 km (439 mi) from Brasília, the federal capital. Its mean altitude is 526.8 m (1,728 ft) high. The city's average temperature throughout the year is 23 °C (73 °F), and the original predominant vegetation is the Atlantic Forest.

The city of Ribeirão Preto originated around 1856 as an agricultural region. Coffee was a primary source of income until 1929, when it lost value when compared with the industrial sector. In the second half of the 20th century, investment in health, biotechnology, bioenergy, and information technology led to the city being declared a Technological Center in 2010. These activities have caused the city to have the 30th-largest gross national product (GNP) in Brazil.

The city is also an important cultural center. Mayor Luiz Roberto Jábali Park, Maurilio Biagi Park, Carlos Raya Park, Santa Tereza Reserve, and the Zoo are important natural conservation areas and tourist attractions. Pinguim Beerhouse, Theatro Pedro II, and projects such as Ribeirão Preto's Cinema Center are major sightseeing points, along with events such as the Agrishow Agricultural Fair, Ribeirão Rodeo Music, Joao Rock Music Festival, and the National Outdoor Book Fair.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.