ARACAJU

'Aracaju' is the capital city of the Sergipe State in Brazil. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, about 350km north of Salvador. It has a population around 505.286 inhabitants, which represents approximately 33% of the state population.

Contents

History

Geography

Climate

Vegetation

Curiosity

Economy

Education

Colleges and universities

Culture

Carnival

Infrastructure

National Airport

Highways

Sister cities

External links

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.

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 stimulated 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).

Geography

Climate

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 and minima of 22°C and more sun; July experiences the coolest temperatures, with mean maxima of 27°C and minima of 17°C and more rain.

Vegetation

Aracaju has a Tropical forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting 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.

Curiosity

Vehicles: 136.979 (jun./2006);
Daily newspapers: 3 (jul./2006);
Foundation day: 17/03/1855.

Economy

The internal product brute of Aracaju was of R$ 3,114 billion, to price of current market. The economy is based on services, industry and tourism.

Education

Portuguese language is the official language of schools. But English language and Spanish language are part of the official high school curriculum.

Colleges and universities

Aracaju has a:

★ Federal University of Sergipe (UFS);

★ Tiradentes University (Unit);

★ São Luís College;

★ Sociedade de Ensino Superior de Sergipe.

Culture

Carnival

The four-day period before Lent leading up to Ash Wednesday is carnival time in Brazil. Rich and poor alike forget their cares as they party in the streets.

Infrastructure

National Airport

'Aracaju Airport'. 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 to 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.

Highways

Aracaju is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-235 and BR-101 federal highways.

Sister cities

★ Salvador, Brazil

External links

★ Pictures of the city