São José do Rio Preto (Portuguese pronunciation:[sɐ̃wʒuˈzɛduʁiwˈpɾetu]) is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is located in the northwestern region of the state, approximately 440 km (270 mi) from the city of São Paulo and 700 km (430 mi) from Brasília. With a population of 469,173 inhabitants as of the 2021 census, it is the 11th largest city in São Paulo and the 36th largest in Brazil.
The city was founded in 1852 and has a rich history closely tied to commercial activities, service provision, and agriculture.[3]
Prior to the 19th century, the region of São José do Rio Preto was inhabited by the Kaingang indigenous population. Over time, their numbers gradually declined as a result of migration, exploratory expeditions known as "bandeiras" and intermixing with other groups.[6]
The city was established on March 19, 1852, by João Bernardino de Seixas Ribeiro, an immigrant from Minas Gerais. The local farmer, Luiz Antônio da Silveira, generously contributed a portion of his land to establish the new city as a tribute to the patron saint, Saint Joseph.[7]
São José do Rio Preto was officially founded in 1894, and the territory ceased to be a part of Jaboticabal. The railway reached the city in 1912 following the expansions of the Araraquarense Railway (Estrada de Ferro Araraquara). Upon completion, the railway played a crucial role in the development of São José do Rio Preto. The city served as a commercial hub for the region's inhabitants, as well as a center for the storage and transportation of goods between the region and the city of São Paulo.[7]
The name São José do Rio Preto, is derived from the combination of the words『São José』and "Rio Preto", which translates literally as "Saint Joseph of the Black River".[8] São José, refers to Saint Joseph, who is the city's patron saint, and Rio Preto, translates to "black river", which is the appellation given to the local river that runs through the city.[9]
Between 1906 and 1944, the city was known by the toponym Rio Preto. In 1944, a proposal was made to change the name to Iboruna, signifying "Black River" in the Tupi language, but this proposal did not materialize.[10]
São José do Rio Preto is located in northwest of the state of São Paulo in a region between the rivers Grande, Paraná and Tietê. The ecological makeup of the region blends elements of the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) with remnants of the Atlantic Forest. In terms of topography, the area is characterized by gently rolling terrain, with an average elevation of 489 m (1,604 ft).[11]
The climate in São José do Rio Preto is classified as tropical (Aw), characterized by hot and rainy summers, as well as mild and dry winters.
The average annual temperature is around 23 °C (73 °F). The city typically receives an average annual precipitation ranging from 1,300 to 1,500 mm (51 to 59 in). In 2008, the recorded rainfall reached 1,593 mm (62.7 in).[11]
Climate data for São José do Rio Preto (1994–2010)
The service sector is the main economy of São José do Rio Preto representing 84,53% of the total income and followed by the industry (15,19%).[16]
In 2020, the gross value of São José do Rio Preto's economy reached R$18.7 billion reais, making it the 53rd largest economy in Brazil.[17] Over the years, the city has diversified and emerged as a regional hub, hosting medical centers, educational institutions, parks, concert venues, and shopping centers.
The industrial complex in São José do Rio Preto comprises three industrial districts and thirteen mini-districts, with the primary employers being small and medium-sized businesses, totaling 75 companies.[18] Agriculture and livestock make up a negligible portion of the GDP, accounting for less than 1%. The primary agricultural products in the region include sugarcane, rubber, oranges, and maize.[19]
According to the Brazilian Human Development Index (HDI), São José do Rio Preto was classified as having a high level of development in 2010, with a value of 0.797. This ranking places it at the 50th position out of 5,565 municipalities in Brazil, and 27th out of 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo.[20]
The city is home to the Diocese of São José do Rio Preto, a local heritage site situated at the same location where the first chapel was built in 1852. The cathedral serves as the epicenter of the city and houses various artworks, including a sculpture of Saint Joseph dating back to the 19th century.[21]
In 2018, São José do Rio Preto experienced its highest number of homicides in 16 years, with 45 recorded murders compared to 47 in 2002.[23] The following year, in 2019, the number of homicides decreased to 24 but then increased to 30 in the subsequent year. On the other hand, the number of robberies saw a slight decrease in 2020, with 968 reported cases compared to 1,258 in the previous year.[24]
The Symphony Orchestra of São José do Rio Preto (Orquestra sinfônica de São José do Rio Preto is a non-profit organization founded in 1942 and holds the distinction of being the oldest orchestra in the city. It has also been recognized as a historical heritage.[28]
The São Jose do Rio Preto Public Library (Dr. Fernando Costa) currently houses approximately 46,000 volumes. It was officially inaugurated in 1943.[29]
The city is host to several local concert venues, including the Primitivist Art Museum (MAP), Naif - Art Museum, the Public Archive, the Municipal Theater (Humberto Sinibaldi Neto), and the Municipal Theater: Paulo Moura, among others.
Additionally, São José do Rio Preto is known for hosting cultural events such as the International Theater Festival (FIT) and the Book Biennial (Bienal do Livro).[30]
The São José do Rio Preto Urban Linear Park is located in the western part of the city. It was established in 1955 with the aim of enhancing the water supply and conserving the natural environment along the banks of the Black River. In 2011, new trails and a bike path were added, spanning the entire length of the park. Presently, the park boasts over 10,000 native species of local fauna, as well as kiosks and free outdoor gym equipment.[31]
São José do Rio Preto is host to eight general medical hospitals, comprising one public, four private, and three philanthropic institutions. In 2009, the city accommodated a total of 157 medical facilities, including 124 private hospitals with a combined capacity of 1,611 beds, and 33 public hospitals with a total capacity of 28 beds.[32]
Hospital de Base (Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto) is recognized as the second largest teaching hospital in Brazil. As of 2010, it employed a workforce of 860 physicians and 4,100 staff members, providing medical care to approximately 3,500 inpatients per month across its 708 beds.[33][34] Serving a population of around 1.5 million residents in 101 municipalities, the hospital has gained renown for its successful transplant procedures, having conducted 292 transplants in 2010. Additionally, catering specifically to the healthcare needs of children, the Hospital da Criança e Maternidade (HCM) was established in 2013 and is located within the FAMERP campus, standing as the largest pediatric hospital in Brazil with 255 beds.[35]
In 2018, primary schools in São José do Rio Preto reported a total enrollment of 48,200 students, while secondary schools recorded 15,335 enrollments. The year 2017 witnessed a total of 27,352 enrollments in higher education institutions.[36][37]
The city is supported by a network of 36 public schools and 51 private schools, providing education from preschool to secondary levels. Furthermore, the municipality operates 153 public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools.[11]
São José do Rio Preto is also home to two public universities: IBILCE (specializing in biosciences, languages, and exact sciences), and FATEC (which offers programs in technology). Additionally, the city houses a significant number of for-profit educational institutions.[38]
In São José do Rio Preto there are also several faculties, university centers and private universities, among them, the Centro Universitário do Norte de São Paulo - UNORTE, which is one of the most traditional in the city, founded in 1972, it is authorized by the Ministry of Education to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in all areas of knowledge, both on-site and at a distance. private universities
There are 2 companies operating the public transit system in the municipality with 230 buses on 80 different routes: Circular Santa Luzia, and Itamarati.[11]
São José do Rio Preto Airport provides commercial flights operated by three airlines, connecting to various destinations including São Paulo, Campinas, Guarulhos, Cuiabá, and Porto Seguro.
Three daily newspapers are circulated in São José do Rio Preto: Diário da Região and Bom Dia.
São José do Rio Preto serves as the headquarters for Rede Vida, a Brazilian broadcast television network. Rede Vida offers a diverse range of programming, catering to various interests and demographics. Its content includes Catholic-oriented shows such as TV masses, novenas, and rosaries, as well as news programs, variety shows, sports coverage, and more. The channel reaches audiences throughout Brazil via its affiliates and satellite services, covering a significant portion of the country.[40]
In telecommunications, the city was served by Telecomunicações de São Paulo.[41] In July 1998, this company was acquired by Telefónica, which adopted the Vivo brand in 2012. The company is currently an operator of cell phones, fixed lines, internet (fiber optics/4G) and television (satellite and cable).[42]
América Futebol Clube typically plays their matches at the Teixeirão Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 32,000 people.[43]
Rio Preto Esporte Clube competes at the Anisio Haddad Stadium (Rio Pretão) with a capacity of 17,000.
São José do Rio Preto is also the base of the Rio Preto Weilers, an American football team. Established in 2010 by a group of passionate enthusiasts, their aim was to promote the sport in the city and other regions of Brazil.
The Weilers participate in the Liga BFA - Elite, and have already secured two national titles and one state title.[44][45] Moreover, the team actively supports alternative sports groups for individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair basketball, and swimming. These groups consist of members from the philanthropic organization Clube Amigos dos Deficientes (Friends of the Disabled Club), who also compete at the national level.[46]
