S達o Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, and along with Tokyo, Seoul, Mexico City and New York City is among the five largest metropolitan regions of the world. The city is the capital of the State of S達o Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state. It is also the richest city of Brazil. The name means Saint Paul in Portuguese. S達o Paulo exerts strong regional influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment.
The city has many renowned landmarks. The Immigrant's Hostel greeted millions of immigrants as they came to Brazil in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Paulista Avenue, in Downtown, is the most important financial center of the country and South America. The city is home to the S達o Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA). S達o Paulo has been home to several of the tallest buildings in Brazil, including the Mirante do Vale Building.
With an estimated population of 11,105,249 residents within an area of 1,523 square kilometres (588 sq mi), S達o Paulo is the most populous city in the Southern hemisphere.
The city also lies at the center of the heavily urbanized S達o Paulo metropolitan area, which, with an estimated 21,616,060 people in 2008 over 7,944 square kilometres (3,067.2 sq mi), is the largest metropolitan area in the nation. Depending on which definition is used, the S達o Paulo metropolitan area is ranked as either the first or second most populous in the Americas, just behind Mexico City.
People from the city of S達o Paulo are known as paulistanos, while paulistas designates anyone from the whole of S達o Paulo state, including the paulistanos. The city's Latin motto is Non ducor, duco, which translates as "I am not led, I lead". A famous nickname for the city is "Sampa". S達o Paulo is also known for its unreliable weather, the sheer size of its helicopter fleet, architecture and multitude of skyscrapers. The S達o Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport operates many domestic and international flights. |
