Articles of category "Porto Alegre"

Situated on the eastern bank of the Rio Guaiba and marking the place where five rivers converge into the Lagoa dos Patos, Porto Alegre is the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul and one of the biggest cities in Brazil. Established in 1755 with the purpose to guard against the Spanish encroachment, it wasn't until the late 1860s that the city became the country's leading commercial center south of Sao Paulo. Today Porto Alegre, cosmopolitan in every sense of the word, is ranked with the most visited Brazilian cities.

One of Brazil's largest cities and the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul State, Porto Alegre is situated at the conjunction of five rivers, the Guaiba Lake among them. Despite the fact that its origins date back to the 1700s, the city was established in 1809. Currently Porto Alegre is recognized as the most important industrial center in southern part of the country, as well as a major city for Mercosul. It is also home to several renowned Brazilian institutions of higher learning, cultural attractions and historic landmarks.