Guaporé | |
|---|---|
| The Municipality of Guaporé | |
_-_Bandeira.png) Flag _-_Brasao.png) Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: Capital of hospitality | |
 Location in Rio Grande do Sul | |
  Guaporé Location in Brazil | |
| Coordinates:28°50′45″S51°53′24″W / 28.84583°S 51.89000°W /-28.84583; -51.89000 | |
| Country |  Brazil |
| Region | South |
| State |  Rio Grande do Sul |
| Founded | 11 December 1903 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Paulo Mazutti (PP)(2013–2016) |
| Area | |
• Total | 297.661 km2 (114.928 sq mi) |
| IBGE/2002[1] | |
| Elevation | 478 m (1,568 ft) |
| Population (2020[2]) | |
• Total | 25,968 |
| • Density | 76.63/km2 (198.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (BRT) |
| Postal Code | 99200-000 |
| Area code | +55 54 |
| Website | www |
Guaporé is a Brazilian municipality located in the state ofRio Grande do Sul. It is the state's greatestjewelry andlingerie producer, ranking second in the country. The city was mainly colonized byItalian immigrants in the 19th century and still retains their traditions. The name comes from theGuaraní language and its meaning is disputed, most likely beingDesert Valley.
The immigrant settlement that would eventually give birth to the city began in the early 19th century in the area that is the present-day municipality ofMuçum, a smaller number ofGerman cattle herders also established themselves in the area now known asSão Valentim do Sul, both towns that used to be part of Guaporé.[3]
In 1892 the colony of Guaporé was established, on area belonging to the cities ofLajeado andPasso Fundo. The colony's manager, Eng. José Montauri de Aguiar Leitão, designated to Eng. Vespasiano Corrêa the task of zoning and dividing the town's area in some 5000 shares of 0.25 to 0.30 km2. Soon after, settlers from the first Italian colonies in the state (mainlyCaxias do Sul,Bento Gonçalves andVeranópolis) came to the newly formed town and, in 1896, the colony had already reached 7,000 inhabitants.[3]
In 1897 the Santo AntônioParish was created, under thePorto AlegreDiocese, being an important step the formation of a city in local culture. By 1900 the population had grown to 13,727. This success led to the formal establishment, on 11 December 1903, of the Municipality of Guaporé, with Eng. Vespasiano Rodrigues Corrêa as the first mayor, inaugurated on 1 January 1904.[3]
By 1910, Guaporé had around 30,000 inhabitants, even more than today, with 1,020 living in the town center, which had over 170 buildings, a town square, telegraph, post office and church. Agriculture was the most important economical activity, the main crops being rice, beans, corn, soy, orange and vines. Furthermore, 82 businesses and a few industries were established by the time, producingaguardente, wine, cheese andlard.
Through the years, several districts emancipated from Guaporé, significantly reducing the city's area and population. Today, several municipalities make up what was once Guaporé, the largest beingCasca (emancipated in 1954),Muçum (1959),Serafina Corrêa (1960) andDois Lajeados (1987), among many others.
Upon their arrival, throughout the 19th century, the immigrants were devoid of anything of value and had to rely on their strong will and bold spirits to build a new life on a new land. With over a century gone by, the memory of these origins is still felt in the religious strength and willingness to work of the community. The religious passion is clearly seen in the numerous chapels on rural areas and the Central Church, built inNeogothic style between 1943 and 1950. The city also has a 13 m (43 ft) Christ statue placed on a 7 m (23 ft) pedestal on the city's tallest mountain.
In 1907, with the arrival of the Pasqualli family to the city, the industry that would become an economical backbone had its humble beginnings as they applied their goldsmith knowledge to become the first jewellers established in Guaporé.
Over a hundred years after its foundation, Guaporé has set itself as an important commercial, industrial, cultural and touristic centre for dozens of cities in the region.
Guaporé is located on theSerra Gaúcha a mountainous area of the north-eastern Rio Grande do Sul. The city center is at an altitude of 478 m (1,568 ft) above sea level, although some peaks reach the 700 m (2,300 ft) mark. It is situated between the highlands of thePlanalto and lowlands of theDepressão Central and is composed ofIgneous rock formed in the end of theMesozoic Era. It is in an area ofBasaltic Rock, that lay's upon layers ofArenite andGranite. The rivers Carreiro and Guaporé flow on the eastern and western borders of the city, respectively.
Due to its location, Guaporé is subject to aHumid subtropical climate, summers are cool and winters are moderately cold, with common occurrence offrost and occasionalsnowfall.
Below are some available figures on the city's economy and life.
In addition to the Italian majority, there is significant presence ofGerman andPolish descendants, as well as other European nationalities. Despite generations of foreign influence, those of Italian descent still maintain several traditions including the use of theTalian dialect, itself derived from theVenetian language, an Italian dialect. Furthermore, the cold winters gave rise to the tradition of gathering family and friends around wood-burning-stoves (used for heating and cooking) to eatpine nuts, chat and play cards. Typical Italian cousine is very common and served in any occasion. Hunting and fishing, once important sources of sustenance, have now become usual pastime sports.
TheGaucho culture has also found its way into peoples lives over time. Nowadays the tradition of drinkingchimarrão is very widespread, and public celebrations of theRagamuffin War are held every year in the central square, usually on the week leading up to the state holiday of September 20.
The city has always attracted tourists from many places and for many different reasons, be it shopping tourism, racing enthusiasts, railway fans, religious people or even those simply attracted by the small town charm.
Main tourist attractions include:
Many locations are available to the population for practising sports and other leisure activities.Football fields are spread throughout the city and many locals have some sort of countryside retreat for the weekends. Other sport and leisure options include:
