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Aracaju
Sergipe river
Flag Seal
Motto: Pax et Labore
Location of Aracaju
Coordinates: 10°55′S 37°′W / -10.917, Expression error: Unexpected < operator
Country	Brazil
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 350km 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Climate 2.2 Vegetation 3 Curiosity 4 Economy 5 Education 5.1 Colleges and Universities 6 Culture 6.1 Carnival 7 Infrastructure 7.1 National Airport 7.2 Highways 8 Sister cities 9 External links

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).

Climate chart for Aracaju
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
39   30 24	44   30 24	53   30 24	119   30 24	151   29 23	153   28 22	120   27 22	81   27 22	50   28 23	39   28 23	36   29 24	29   29 24
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: MSN Weather

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.

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.

Vehicles: 136,979 (jun./2006); Daily newspapers: 3 (jul./2006); Established: 03/17/1855.

The economy is based on services, industry and tourism.

The GDP for the city was R$ 4,190,570,000 (2004).^[1]

The per capita income for the city was R$ 8,519 (2004).^[2]

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.

• Federal University of Sergipe (UFS);
• Tiradentes University (Unit);
• São Luís College;
• Sociedade de Ensino Superior de Sergipe;
• and many others.

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.

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.

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

• Salvador, Brazil

• Pictures of the city

• Aracaju is at coordinates 10°55′00″S 37°03′00″W / -10.9167, -37.05Coordinates: 10°55′00″S 37°03′00″W / -10.9167, -37.05

v • d • e Capitals of Brazilian states
Brasília Federal Capital (DF)
North	Belém (PA) · Boa Vista (RR) · Macapá (AP) · Manaus (AM) · Palmas (TO) · Porto Velho (RO) · Rio Branco (AC)
Northeast	Aracaju (SE) · Fortaleza (CE) · João Pessoa (PB) · Maceió (AL) · Natal (RN) · Recife (PE) · Salvador (BA) · São Luís (MA) · Teresina (PI)
Center-West	Campo Grande (MS) · Cuiabá (MT) · Goiânia (GO)
Southeast	Belo Horizonte (MG) · Rio de Janeiro (RJ) · São Paulo (SP) · Vitória (ES)
South	Curitiba (PR) · Florianópolis (SC) · Porto Alegre (RS)