Porto Alegre

This article is about Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. You may be looking for Portalegre, Alentejo, Portugal.

File:Downtown (and port) of Porto Alegre.jpg

Downtown Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre, one of the largest cities in Brazil, is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul State. Population: 1,416,000 (2004). Metropolitan area: 3,500,000, the 4th largest of Brazil and about the 10th in South America. The city's geographical coordinates are 30°01′59″S 51°13′48″W / 30.03306°S 51.23000°W / -30.03306; -51.23000.

Geography, History and Culture

A Diagram showing the populational evolution of Porto Alegre since 1800

The city is located at the conjunction of five rivers, among them Guaíba Lake (popularly known as a river). Although its origins date from the mid-1700s, when immigrants from the Azores settled in the area, the city was officially established in 1809.

Before this, Porto Alegre was the port of Viamão on the shore of Guaíba Lake. Its ancient name was Porto dos Casais, and it was initially settled by Azorians. Many families of settlers also came from Rio Grande, a military fortress at that time, and today the most important port of Rio Grande do Sul state.

Currently Porto Alegre hosted the called event Globaltech, Fair of sciences and technology; that it congregates institutions of all Latin America.

There are more than 70 neighborhoods and 2/3 of the population is concentrated in the Zona Norte (Northern Zone), where most of the economic activity, including the city center, is located.

Porto Alegre is the most important industrial center in southern Brazil, and a key city for Mercosul. It also is a center for gaúcho (the popular name for natives of the State) history and culture, famous for its churrasco (grilled meat) and chimarrão (a strong tea prepared from erva mate). Several important Brazilian universities, such as UFRGS and PUCRS are located there.

Since 1999, the largest road work ever in the city, the Terceira Perimetral (Third Perimetral) has been under construction throughout the city. The Terceira Perimetral is 12 km long, connecting the North and the South of the city. There is talk that the work may be finished by 2007.

Because of its strategic position (Porto Alegre is the southernmost metropolis in Brazil) the city is an important stopping point for travellers and international businessmen in the south of South America, especially from the countries of Mercosul.

Porto Alegre is also one of the wealthiest cities in Latin America, and one of the most diverse. It has harbored immigrants from all over the world, the largest numbers coming from Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland. The Arabian, Jewish and Afro-Brazilian population is quite significant as well.

Climate

The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters and wet all year. The average temperature in January is 24,5°C (78ºF) and in July 14,3°C (58ºF), with record temperatures being 40,7°C in 1943 and -4,0°C in 1918. Snowfall is very rare, having been observed in the late 19th century, 1910, 1984 and 2000. Thunderstorms are very common.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Max °C/°F

30/86

28/82

25/77

22/72

19/66

20/68

22/72

24/75

27/81

29/84

24/75

Min °C/°F

20/68

21/70

19/66

16/61

13/56

11/52

13/56

15/59

17/63

19/66

21/69

Precipitation

99/3.9

109/4.3

104/4.1

86/3.4

94/3.7

132/5.2

122/4.8

140/5.5

114/4.5

104/4.1

102/4.0

1346/53.0

Sources: Weatherbase and The Weather Channel

Politics

In comparison with the rest of Brazil the city has been a considerable convergence zone for left-wing parties. This has led to the city being the location of the annual World Social Forum since 2001. Participation in each of the first three forums, which were held exclusively in Porto Alegre, has been estimated as more than one hundred thousand people.

Worker's Party (PT), the most influential left-wing party in Brazil since the 1980's, established a solid electoral base in Porto Alegre, having won the election for mayor four times, holding office in the city hall from January 1989 to December 2004. This was a major breakthrough for the party being the first major city they had won control of. The administration of the city was held up by the party in its electoral propaganda around the country's major cities as being a popular success. The party's administration policies included experiments in participatory budgeting that have been held up as a pioneer model by many in the Left across the world (despite the fact that similar management experiences have been implemented long ago in townships across the United Sates.) They have also been criticised, on the other hand, for "not being able to overcome the contradictions of capitalism." [1]

The popularity of the Workers' party declined in 2004 and in the mayoral elections their candidate was defeated by José Fogaça, from the Socialist People's Party (PPS). Fogaça governs with a coalition that includes five of the six largest parties in the State (only PT being in the opposition), ranging from centre-left (PDT) to right-wing (PP).