Aracaju
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Aracaju | |||
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| Motto: Pax et Labore | |||
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| Country |  Brazil |
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| Region | Northeast | ||
| State | Sergipe | ||
| Founded | 1592 | ||
| Incorporated (as capital) | March 17, 1855 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Edvaldo Nogueira (PC do B) | ||
| Elevation | 4.0 m (13 ft) | ||
| Population (2006) | |||
| - Total | 505,286 | ||
| - Density | 2,903.9/km² (7,521.1/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) | ||
| HDI (2000) | 0.794 – medium | ||
| Website: Aracaju, Sergipe | |||
Aracaju is the capital of the State of Sergipe, Brazil. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, about 350 km (217 mi) north of Salvador. It has a population around 505,286 inhabitants, which represents approximately 33% of the state population. The coast of Aracaju has many unspoiled beaches, such as the ones in Santa Luzia Island, and urban beaches, such as the Atalaia. These coastal neighborhoods include playgrounds, squares, open-to-the-public football, volleyball, and basketball fields, residential buildings, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, banks and hotels.
The new Aracaju International Airport connects Aracaju with many Brazilian cities and also operates some international flights from Montevideo, Uruguay.
The city is home to the Federal University of Sergipe.
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[edit] History
Although the Portuguese founded a colony here in 1592, the capital of the infant state of Sergipe was moved to nearby São Cristóvão (Saint Christopher). Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, there was a sudden vogue for purpose-built administrative centres (similar to the urge that led to the construction of Brasilia a century later), and the core of modern Aracaju was thrown up overnight, becoming the state capital again in 1855. In 1910, the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Aracajú.
Unlike the other Brazilian state capitals planned and built in the nineteenth century, Aracaju is known throughout the country for its modern looks, some festivals and carnival, and is known to have some good beaches, among other attractions. Though most tourists rush to Rio to visit its celebrated beaches, a local secret and national treasure is the Northeast and among the many jewels lies Aracaju. Oil wealth, sugar cane, and tourism continues to stimulate its growing economy, renovations, and continues to allow the city to shine in its splendor as the capital of Sergipe. Colonial towns of Laranjeiras and São Cristóvão are only a short bus ride away (Adapted from The Rough Guide to Brazil (2000), UK).
[edit] Geography
[edit] Climate
| Climate chart for Aracaju | |||||||||||
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| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
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39
30
24
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44
30
24
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53
30
24
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119
30
24
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151
29
23
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153
28
22
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120
27
22
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81
27
22
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50
28
23
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39
28
23
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36
29
24
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29
29
24
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| temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: MSN Weather |
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Imperial conversion
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Aracaju has a typical tropical climate, with warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity all throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and pleasant trade winds blowing from the ocean. January is the warmest month, with mean maxima of 32°C (89.6°F) and minima of 22°C (71.6°F) and more sun; July experiences the coolest temperatures, with mean maxima of 27°C (80.6°F) and minima of 17°C (62.6°F) and more rain.
[edit] Vegetation
Aracaju has a Tropical forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, with minimum normal annual rainfall between 2,000 mm (about 78 inches or 2 meters) and 1700 mm (about 67 inches). The soil can be poor because high rainfall tends to leach out soluble nutrients. There are several common characteristics of tropical rainforest trees. Tropical rainforest species frequently possess one or more attributes not commonly seen in trees of higher latitudes or trees in drier conditions on the same latitude.
[edit] Economy
The economy is based on services, industry and tourism.
The GDP for the city was R$ 5,021,660,000 (2005).[1]
The per capita income for the city was R$ 10,071 (2005).[2]
[edit] Education
Portuguese is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. But English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum.
[edit] Educational institutions
- Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS) (Federal University of Sergipe);
- Universidade Tiradentes (Unit) (Tiradentes University);
- Faculdade São Luís (FSL) (São Luís College);
- Sociedade de Ensino Superior de Sergipe;
- and many others.
[edit] Culture
[edit] 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.
[edit] Library
Arquivo Público Estadual de Sergipe, Biblioteca da FANESE and Biblioteca Pública Epiphâneo Dórea.
[edit] Movies
Movie theaters in the Rio Mar Mall and Empresa Cinematográfica Ipatinga Ltda.
[edit] Infrastructure
[edit] International Airport
international Airport of Aracaju. It inaugurated in 30 of October of 1952 with a trail of landing and take-off of 1200 uetros, the airport did not have an estradade of access until 1958, on the occasion of his fact operating efficiency was employed. In 1961, to present trail suffered his first enlargement, passing it have 1500 meters and a terminal of passengers was built in 1962. In the epoch of Sergipe capital counted on the most modern airport of the northeast region of Brazil. In February 1975 the airport passes it to be administered by the Infraero.
[edit] Highways
Aracaju is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-235 and BR-101 federal highways.
[edit] Sister cities
[edit] References
- ^ (2005) GDP (PDF) (in Portuguese), Aracaju, Brazil: IBGE. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
- ^ (2005) per capita income (PDF) (in Portuguese), Aracaju, Brazil: IBGE. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
[edit] External links
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- Aracaju is at coordinates Coordinates:
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