Ribeirão Preto - Ribeirão Prêto 7.48

Ribeirão Preto is a municipality in the northeastern region of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. Because of its strong agrobusiness-based economy and year-round sunny weather, it is known as Brazilian California. Ribeirão Preto can be reached via the Doctor Leite Lopes Airport, its own rail terminal, the Cândido Portinari Highway and the Anhanguera Highway.According to the 2010 Census, Ribeirão Preto was the eighth largest municipality in the state at 650.9 km², with an estimated population of 666,323 in 2015. It is situated 313km from the city of São Paulo and 706km from Brasília, the federal capital. Its mean altitude is 546.8m high. The city’s average temperature throughout the year is 23 °C (73F) and the predominant original vegetation is the Atlantic forest.The city was originated around 1856 in an agricultural region. Coffee was a primary source of income until 1929, when it lost value compared with the industrial sector. In the second half of the 20th century, investment in areas such as health, biotechnology, bioenergy and information technology led to the city being declared a Technological Center in 2010. These activities have caused the city to have the 30th biggest GNP in Brazil.In addition to its economic importance, the city is also an important cultural center. The Prefeito Luiz Roberto Jábali Park, the Maurilio Biagi Park and the Zoo Garden are important preservation areas, while the Pinguim Choperia, the Dom Pedro Theatre and projects as the Ribeirão Preto’s Cinema Center are relevant sightseeing points, along with such cultural events as the Agrishow and the National Book Fair.