Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of population. It’s also Brazil’s largest city and leading commercial, financial, and industrial center.

It lies in southeastern Brazil, about 240 miles (386 kilometers) west of Rio de Janeiro.

Wide avenues and unusually designed skyscrapers give the city a modern appearance. Few of Sao Paulo’s buildings are even 100 years old, though a chapel that was built in 1554 and a few old churches still stand.

Sao Paulo has a number of parks, the largest of which is the beautifully landscaped Ibirapuera Park. The nearby Santo Amaro lake region is a popular recreation area. Sports events are held at Morumbi and Pacaembu stadiums.

The People of Sao Paulo are called “Paulistanos”. Most of them have ancestors who emigrated from Germany, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Portugal, Spain, or Syria. Paulistanos speak a variety of languages, but most of them also speak Portuguese, Brazil’s official language. They have the reputation of being the most energetic, hard-working people in Brazil.