SAO PAULO
Originally a mission station set up in 1554 by Jesuit
priests on the banks of the Rio Tiete, the city of Sao
Paulo is today an awesome megalopolis, the industrial
and commercial powerhouse of Brazil. The city grew
wealthy on coffee cultivation in the mid-19th century,
thanks to the rich soil of the region, and the
plantation owners took up residence in the bustling
regional centre. Gradually the coffee barons diversified
their interests and invested some of their wealth in
local industry, resulting in a demand for labour and a
resultant surge in immigrant population. Today 16-million
proud 'Paulistanos' live in the congested, chaotic and
cosmopolitan city centre and its sprawling surrounds.
Lacking in natural attractions, the city’s leisure
pursuits are mainly cultural, and there are some
impressive public buildings to delight sight-seers. |