Curitiba

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Curitiba
Fountain of Memory, Downtown of Curitiba
Fountain of Memory, Downtown of Curitiba
Flag of Curitiba
Flag		 Official seal of Curitiba
Seal
Nickname: Ctba
Motto: 'A cidade sorriso' (The smiley city)
Location of Curitiba
Location of Curitiba
Country Flag of Brazil Brazil
Region South
State Paraná
Founded 29 March 1693
Incorporated 1842
Government
 - Mayor Carlos Alberto Richa (PSDB)
Area
 - City 430.9 km² (166.4 sq mi)
 - Metro 15,416.9 km² (5,952.5 sq mi)
Elevation 934.6 m (3,066.3 ft)
Population (2006)[1]
 - City 1,788,559
 - Density 4,159.4/km² (10,748.5/sq mi)
 - Metro 3,261,168
 - Metro Density 210.9/km² (546.2/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-3 (UTC-3)
 - Summer (DST) UTC-2 (UTC-2)
HDI (2000) 0.856 – high
Website: Curitiba, Paraná

Curitiba (pron. IPA: [kuɾi'tʃibɐ]) is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. In 2005 its population was approximately 1,788,559 people (biggest city in Southern Brazil). Its metropolitan area comprises 26 municipalities[2] with a total population of over 3.5 million (2006 IBGE estimate).[1] Curitiba is the most important city of Southern Brazil, being a cultural, political and economic center. Curitiba's main airport Afonso Pena International Airport is one of the most modern Brazilian terminals and the most important airport in Southern Brazil 2007 and will be the region's transportation hub according to Minister Nelson Jobim.

The city is on a plateau 932 m (3107 ft) above sea level. It is 105 km (65 miles) west of the sea port of Paranaguá, at 25°25′47″S, 49°16′19″W, .

People from Curitiba are known as Curitibanos.

One theory about the name "Curitiba" comes from the Tupi words kurí tyba, "much pine," due to the large number of Brazilian Pines (Araucaria angustifolia), in the region prior to its foundation. The Portuguese who founded a village in 1693 gave it the name of "Vila da Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais" (Our Lady of the Light in the Pine Forest). The name was changed to "Curitiba" in 1721. Curitiba officially became a town in 1842. Growth was based on the cattle trade, being half way between cattle breeding country to the South and markets to the North.

Waves of European immigrants started arriving after 1850, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians. The Universidade Federal do Paraná (Federal University of Paraná), the first in Brazil, was established in Curitiba in 1913, the same year in which electric streetcars were first deployed.

Contents

Climate chart for Curitiba
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
155
 
27
18
 
 
139
 
27
18
 
 
105
 
26
17
 
 
62
 
24
15
 
 
78
 
21
11
 
 
64
 
20
10
 
 
89
 
19
9
 
 
65
 
21
10
 
 
132
 
21
12
 
 
115
 
23
14
 
 
85
 
24
15
 
 
93
 
26
16
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm
source: MSN Weather

Located in Southern Brazil, Curitiba is a somewhat humid city in Subtropical zone. It is located in a plateau (around 900 m) and the flat terrain with flooded areas contribute to its mild and damp winter, with average temperatures of 13°C (57°F) in the coldest month, falling slightly below 0°C (32°F), on the coldest days. During summer, the average temperature is around 21°C (70°F), but gets above 32°C (90°F) on hot days. It received snowfall in 1928 and 1975.

In fact, of Brazil's twenty-six state capitals, Curitiba is the coldest due to altitude, despite being 600 km north of Porto Alegre, the southernmost state capital in Brazil, but located at sea level.

Curitiba's inhabitants claim that its weather is unpredictable. Heat waves during winter and cold waves during summer are not uncommon, and even within a single day there can be great variation, a typical feature of subtropical climate. A local saying says that "Curitiba is a city in which the four seasons are clearly defined, and it has all four every day." Several factors contribute to the climate's variable nature:

  • The flat terrain surrounded by mountains in a rough circle with radius 40 km help block the winds, allowing the morning mist to cover the city on cold mornings.
Yellow Ipê in Curitiba.
Yellow Ipê in Curitiba.
  • The flatness of the terrain hinders quick water drainage after rains, providing then a good source of water vapor for the atmosphere.
  • Cold fronts come often from Antarctica and Argentina all year long, bringing tropical storms in summer and lots of cold winds in winter. They can be very quick, with no more than one day between the start of the southern winds and the start of rain.
  • Curitiba's weather is also influenced by the dry air masses that dominate Brazil's midwest most of the year, bringing dry and hot weather, sometimes even in winter.

Public Transport in Curitiba.
Public Transport in Curitiba.
Garden in Curitiba.
Garden in Curitiba.
November 15 Street, one of the major streets of Curitiba, transformed in a pedestrian-exclusive street in 1972.
November 15 Street, one of the major streets of Curitiba, transformed in a pedestrian-exclusive street in 1972.

Curitiba has a master planned transportation system, which includes lanes on major streets devoted to a bus rapid transit system. The buses are long, split into three sections (bi-articulated), and stop at designated elevated tubes, complete with disabled access. There is only one price no matter how far you travel and you pay at the bus stop. The system, used by 85% of Curitiba's population, is the source of inspiration for the TransMilenio in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as the Orange Line of Los Angeles, California, and for a future transportation system in Panama City, Panama. The city has also paid careful attention to preserving and caring for its green areas, boasting 54 m² of green space per inhabitant.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Alfred Agache, cofounder of the French Society for Urban Studies, was hired to produce the first city plan. It emphasised a star of boulevards, with public amenities downtown, an industrial district and sanitation. It was followed when possible, but was too expensive to complete.

By the 1960s, Curitiba's population had ballooned to 430,000, and some residents feared that the growth in population threatened to drastically change the character of the city. In 1964, Mayor Ivo Arzua solicited proposals for urban design. Architect Jaime Lerner, who later became mayor, led a team from the Universidade Federal do Paraná that suggested strict controls on urban sprawl, a reduction of traffic in the downtown area, preservation of Curitiba's Historic Sector, and a convenient and affordable public transit system. This plan, known as the Curitiba Master Plan, was adopted in 1968. Lerner closed XV de Novembro St. to vehicles, because it had very high pedestrian traffic. The plan had a new road design to minimise traffic: the Trinary Road System. This uses two one-way streets moving in opposite directions which surround a smaller, two-lane street where the express buses have their exclusive lane. Five of these roads form a star that converges to the city centre. Land farther from these roads is zoned for lower density developments, to reduce traffic away from the main roads. A number of areas subject to floods were condemned and became parks.

Today, Curitiba is considered one of the best examples of urban planning world-wide[3]. In June 1996, the chairman of the Habitat II summit of mayors and urban planners in Istanbul praised Curitiba as "the most innovative city in the world."

In the 1980s, the RIT (Rede Integrada de Transporte, Integrated Transport Network) was created, allowing transit between any points in the city by paying just one fare. At the same time, the city began a project called the "Faróis de Saber" (Lighthouses of Knowledge). These Lighthouses are free educational centers which include libraries, Internet access, and other cultural resources. Job training, social welfare and educational programs are coordinated, and often supply labor to improve the city's amenities or services, as well as education and income.

Polish house, in a park in Curitiba.
Polish house, in a park in Curitiba.
Brazilians of Ukrainian descent celebrating Easter in Curitiba.
Brazilians of Ukrainian descent celebrating Easter in Curitiba.
The Curitiba Botanical Garden.
The Curitiba Botanical Garden.

According to the IBGE of 2007, there were 3,230,000 people residing in Curitiba Metropolitan Area. The population density was 4.159,4 inh./km². The last PNAD (National Research for Sample of Domiciles) census revealed the following numbers: 2,503,250 million White people (77.5%), 584 thousand Pardo people (18.1%), 93 thousand Black people (2.9%), 45 thousand Asian or Amerindian people (1.4%).[4]

The majority of the Whites of the city are of Italian, Polish, Ukrainian and Portuguese descent. The Pardos are a mixture of Europeans with the Blacks and/or Amerindians, varying from light to dark complexion. The Blacks are of African descent. The Asians are mostly Japanese and the Amerindians are the indigenous inhabitants.

Source:PNAD.

As most of Southern Brazil's population, Curitiba is mostly inhabited by Brazilians of European descent. The first Europeans to arrive in the region were of Portuguese origin, during the 17th century. They intermarried with the native people and with the African slaves.[5] In the 19th century, the influx of immigrants from Europe increased. In 1828, the first German immigrants settled in Paraná. However, large numbers of immigrants from Germany only arrived in Curitiba during the 1870's, most of them coming from Santa Catarina or Volga Germans from Russia.[6] Immigrants from Poland first arrived in 1871, settling in rural areas close to Curitiba. They largely influenced the agriculture of the region. Curitiba has the second largest Polish diaspora in the world, second only to Chicago.[7] Italian immigrants started arriving in Brazil in 1875 and in Curitiba in 1878. They came mostly from the Veneto and Trento regions, in Northern Italy and settled mostly in the Santa Felicidade neighborhood, still today the center of the large Italian community of Curitiba.[8] Large numbers of Ukrainian immigrants settled in Curitiba, mostly between 1895 and 1897, when 20 thousands arrived. They were peasants from Galicia, who immigrated to Brazil to become small farmers. Nowadays there are 300 thousand Ukrainian-Brazilians living in Paraná.[9][10] Japanese immigrants starting arriving in the region in 1915. Most Japanese settled in the state of São Paulo, but many settled in Northern Paraná, cities such as Maringá and Londrina. Curitiba also received significant numbers of immigrants from Japan. Nowadays, there are about 40 thousand Japanese-Brazilians living in the city.[11] Other immigrants, such as Arabs from Lebanon and Syria, Russians and other Eastern Europeans also settled in Curitiba.

The GDP for the city was R$ 19,109,744,000 (2004).[12]

The per capita income for the city was R$ 11,065 (2004).[13]

Vehicles: 957,830 (jun./2006); Daily newspapers: 6 (jul./2006); Established: 03/29/1693.

Centro Politécnico, a campus of UFPR where the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering are located.
Centro Politécnico, a campus of UFPR where the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering are located.

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 Paraná (UFPR);
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR);
  • Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP);
  • Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR);

  • Centro Universitário Positivo (UnicenP);
  • Centro Universitário Franciscano do Paraná (UNIFAE);
  • Faculdade de Tecnologia (FATEC).
  • and many others.

24 Horas Street.
24 Horas Street.
Botanical Garden of Curitiba.
Botanical Garden of Curitiba.
German church in Curitiba.
German church in Curitiba.
Bus Stop in Curitiba.
Bus Stop in Curitiba.
Bus in Curitiba.
Bus in Curitiba.
Japan Square in Curitiba.
Japan Square in Curitiba.
Ópera de Arame.
Ópera de Arame.
Portugal Park.
Portugal Park.

24 Horas Street

The Street that never sleeps is the synthesis of a city which also never sleeps. It is 120 meters long and 12 meters wide. It is composed by 32 arches in metallic tubular structure, trademark of the modern curitibana architecture. There are 34 shops that are open eternally, from the daybreak sandwich to the bank withdrawal; from the pharmacy to the florist; from books to milk for the children. Great meeting point for tourists and curitibanos seeking leisure, pastimes, night life and good eating options. At 24 Horas street it also possible to have free Internet access, day and night. The user just has to schedule a time. It is located between Visconde de Nácar and Visconde do Rio Branco Streets – Centre. It's closed for remodeling at the present time.

Botanic Gardens

Curitiba’s trademark, created to resemble French gardens, rolls out its flower carpet to the visitors right at the entrance. The greenhouse, with a metallic structure, has botanic species that are national reference, and also a water fountain.

The native forest is filled with paths for walking. The Botanic Museum attracts researchers from all over the world. There is a space for exhibitions, library and a theatre.

German Woods

The wood has various features to celebrate and promote the German traditions. There are 38 thousand square meters of native forest, which was part of the old farm from the Schaffer family. The replica of an old wooden church, built in 1933 at the Seminário neighbourhood, with neo-gothich decorative elements, shelters a concert hall called Bach’s Oratorium.

Other attractions are the John and Mary path, which tells the Grimm brothers tale, a children’s library, the Philosophers Tower, a wooden observatory allowing a panoramic view of the city and the Ocean Ridge, and the German Poetry Square, with a reproduction of the Casa Mila façade, a German building from the beginning of the last century, originally located in the city centre. It's closed for remodeling at the present time.

Italian Woods

A place for the typical parties of the Italian community in the district, such as the Grape Party, the Wine Party and the 4 Giorni in Italy. It has structure for food and drinkstalls, space for shows and folkloric presentations and a polenta pot.

Japan Square

Homage to the sons of the “Rising Sun”, who settled there dedicating themselves to agriculture. Scattered around the square are 30 cherry trees sent from Japan by the Nipponese empire and artificial lakes Japanese style. In 1993 the Japanese Portal, the Culture House and the Tea House were built.

Tingüi Park

Part of the biggest linear environmental park in the Country, established at the Barigüi river margins, it reminds us of the indians who used to live there, with the statue of Tindiqüera Chieftain. The Ukrainian Memorial is also there, homage to the immigrants, in a replica of an orthodox church, originally built in inland Paraná State, hosting a pêssankas and icons exhibition.

Ópera de Arame

It is one of the emblematic symbols of Curitiba, with tubular structure and transparent ceiling, of great beauty. Inaugurated in 1992, it caters for all types of shows, between lakes, typical vegetation and cascades, on a unique landscape. The Opera is part of the Pedreiras Park, together with the Paulo Leminski Cultural Space, where the Passion of Christ was enacted, and hosted many other big events since 1989, and can receive, in open air, 10 thousand people seating or 50 thousand standing.

Portugal Wood

Homage to the Portuguese-Brazilian bonds, this space is highlighted by a track following a small brook, where one can see drawn on tiles excerpts from famous Portuguese language poets, as well as a tribute to the great Portuguese navigators and their discoveries.

Main article: Rede Integrada de Transporte
Bus route plan for RIT (Rede Integrada de Transporte).
Bus route plan for RIT (Rede Integrada de Transporte).
A bus stop in the city.
A bus stop in the city.

Curitiba has a very simple and practical transportation system. Public transportation consists entirely of buses. There are several different types of bus, each with a different function.

Moving around in a car can be difficult in and around the city centre because of the many one-way streets and frequent traffic jams. This makes the public transportation system more attractive if one wants to go there. The trinary system allows quick access to the city centre for car drivers. Some avenues are spacious and laid out in a grid, and apart from some points around the city centre, Munhoz da Rocha Street and Batel Avenue, traffic jams aren't thus severe.

Recently, the city installed around 200 traffic radars, causing much discontent among drivers in general. This technology uses sensors under the pavement which trigger a digital camera if the car is above speed limit. The picture, including the date and time it was taken, is sent to the driver's home, as a speeding ticket. The system can send these tickets to drivers anywhere in Brazil.

The speed limit is usually 60 km/h on avenues, but can be 40 km/h in dangerous places or where many pedestrians cross the street.

Afonso Pena International Airport in Curitiba Metropolitan Area
Afonso Pena International Airport in Curitiba Metropolitan Area

Afonso Pena International Airport is Curitiba's main airport. It is located in the nearby city of São José dos Pinhais and all commercial flights operate from this airport. It is integrated into Curitiba's transportation system, with rapid buses and executive buses connecting the airport to the city.

Small aircraft may also use the Bacacheri airport, which today hosts a flight school and a national airbase.

Bus in Curitiba.
Bus in Curitiba.

Curitiba is connected to the main cities of Brazil by the BR-116, BR-376/101, BR-277, BR-476 and BR-153 highways.

Couto Pereira.
Couto Pereira.

Curitiba provides visitors and residents with various sport activities. There are several soccer clubs based in Curitiba, such as:

Stadiums

Curitiba is one of the 18 remaining candidates to host games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil.

Curitiba is going to be the first city in Brazil to have an IMAX cinema. It will be in the Palladium Shopping Center which will be the biggest mall in southern Brazil.

The Sister Cities of Curitiba are:

Museu Oscar Niemeyer (Oscar Niemeyer Museum)
Museu Oscar Niemeyer (Oscar Niemeyer Museum)
Universidade Federal do Paraná (Federal University of Paraná)
Universidade Federal do Paraná (Federal University of Paraná)
Botanical Garden of Curitiba
Botanical Garden of Curitiba

Curitiba is mostly known for some of its famous places:


Mixed martial arts
Auto racing
Alpinism
Basketball
Beach Volleyball

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

  • IPPUC - Instituto de Pesquisa e Planejamento Urbano de Curitiba

  1. ^ a b Região Metropolitana (Portuguese). Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba. Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ Irazabal, Clara Elena. "Curitiba and Portland: Architecture, City Making, and Urban Governance in the Era of Globalization," page112. UMI Microform: 2002.
  4. ^ (2007) Síntese de Indicadores Sociais 2007 (PDF) (in Portuguese), Curitiba, Brazil: IBGE. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. 
  5. ^ http://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/pmc/curitiba/index.asp?noframe=sim&conteudo=imigra/index.html
  6. ^ http://www.expoente.com.br/professores/kalinke/trabalhos/Hp-Alemaes/historia/Hist%C3%B3ria%20da%20imigra%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Alem%C3%A3.html
  7. ^ http://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/pmc/curitiba/index.asp?noframe=sim&conteudo=imigra/index.html
  8. ^ http://www.curitiba-parana.net/italianos.htm
  9. ^ http://www.curitiba-parana.net/parques/memorial-ucraniano.htm
  10. ^ http://www3.pr.gov.br/e-parana/pg_etnias.php
  11. ^ http://www.curitiba-parana.net/japao.htm
  12. ^ (2004) GDP (PDF) (in Portuguese), Curitiba, Brazil: IBGE. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. 
  13. ^ (2004) per capita income (PDF) (in Portuguese), Curitiba, Brazil: IBGE. ISBN 85-240-3919-1. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. 


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