São José do Rio Preto

Not to be confused with São José do Vale do Rio Preto in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

São José do Rio Preto
Municipality
Municipality of São José do Rio Preto
From top, and left to right: Downtown area; Paulo Moura Theater; Public Library; Diocese of São José do Rio Preto; Parque da Represa.
Flag Seal
Location in São Paulo
Coordinates: 20°48′29″S 49°22′52″W
Country	Brazil
Region	Southeast
State	São Paulo
Mesoregion	São José do Rio Preto[1]
Founded	March 19, 1852
Government
• Mayor	Fábio Candido (PL)
Area
• Municipality	431.30 km^2 (166.53 sq mi)
• Urban	12,479 km^2 (4,818 sq mi)
Elevation	489 m (1,604 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Municipality	480,439
• Density	1,112.27/km^2 (2,880.8/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC-3)
Postal Code	15000-000
Area code	+55 17
HDI	0.797 – high[2]
Website	riopreto.sp.gov.br

São José do Rio Preto (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ʒuˈzɛ du ʁiw ˈpɾetu]) 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]

São José do Rio Preto is the principal city of the Mesoregion of São José do Rio Preto, which has a population of 1,569,220. In 2020, the Microregion of São José do Rio Preto had a population of 763,534.^[4]

The city celebrates its anniversary on the same day as Saint Joseph's Day.^[5]

History

São José do Rio Preto in 1909.

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]

Toponym

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]

Geography

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]

Climate

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)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	32.1 (89.8)	32.6 (90.7)	32.3 (90.1)	31.5 (88.7)	27.9 (82.2)	27.2 (81.0)	27.8 (82.0)	30.6 (87.1)	31.9 (89.4)	33.1 (91.6)	32.8 (91.0)	32.6 (90.7)	31.0 (87.9)
Daily mean °C (°F)	26.8 (80.2)	27.2 (81.0)	26.8 (80.2)	25.6 (78.1)	22.0 (71.6)	21.0 (69.8)	21.1 (70.0)	23.3 (73.9)	25.1 (77.2)	26.6 (79.9)	26.7 (80.1)	26.9 (80.4)	24.9 (76.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21.6 (70.9)	21.7 (71.1)	21.3 (70.3)	19.8 (67.6)	16.0 (60.8)	14.7 (58.5)	14.4 (57.9)	16.1 (61.0)	18.4 (65.1)	20.2 (68.4)	20.6 (69.1)	21.2 (70.2)	18.8 (65.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	336.0 (13.23)	209.9 (8.26)	164.0 (6.46)	65.7 (2.59)	60.7 (2.39)	28.0 (1.10)	17.2 (0.68)	23.5 (0.93)	56.6 (2.23)	94.2 (3.71)	139.5 (5.49)	216.5 (8.52)	1,411.8 (55.59)
Source: Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorológicas[12][13][14][15]

Neighborhoods

• North: Ipiguá and Onda Verde
• South: Cedral and Bady Bassitt
• East: Guapiaçu
• West: Mirassol

Districts

• South side: Engenheiro Schmitt
• Extreme North side: Talhado

Economy

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]

Demographics

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]

Religion

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]

According to the 2010 census, the city's population consists of the following religious affiliations: Roman Catholics (58.7%), Brazilian Protestants (23.79%), Spiritists (6.81%), individuals with no religious affiliation (5.57%), Jehovah's Witnesses (1.47%), Atheists (0.38%), members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (0.18%), Buddhists (0.18%), practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé (0.17%), Eastern Orthodox Christians (0.07%), and Jews (0.03%).^[22]

Public Security

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]

Indicators

• Total Population: 469,173 (2021)
• Number of Households: 137,233 (2010)^[25]
• Area (2020): 431.31 square kilometers (166.53 square miles)
• Urban Area: 117.43 square kilometers (45.34 square miles)
• Population Density (2020): 946.53 people per square kilometer (2,451.5 people/sq mi)
• Urbanization Rate: 93.9% (2010)
• Sex Ratio (Males to Females): 92.58 (2012)
• Birth Rate: 12.63 per 1,000 inhabitants (2011)
• Infant Mortality Rate: 7.11 per 1,000 births (2011)
• Literacy Rate: 96.8% (2010)^[26]
• Number of Vehicles: 405,608 (2020)^[27]

Culture

Music

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]

Literature

The São Jose do Rio Preto Public Library (Dr. Fernando Costa) currently houses approximately 46,000 volumes. It was officially inaugurated in 1943.^[29]

Theater

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]

Parque da Represa

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]

Infrastructure

City Hall.

Healthcare

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]

Education

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

Transportation

Bus

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]

Rail

Rumo Logística currently operates the freight transport services in São José do Rio Preto.^[39]

Air

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.

Roads

• SP-310 (Washington Luís - State highway) - São Paulo (450 km; 280 mi)
• BR-153 (Transbrasiliana - Federal highway) - Brasília (700 km; 430 mi)
• SP-425 (Assis Chateaubriand - State highway) - Presidente Prudente (267 km; 166 mi)
• SP-427 (Délcio Custódio da Silva - State highway) - Mirassolândia (25 km; 16 mi)

Media

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]

Sports

The city is the home of two football clubs, namely América Futebol Clube and Rio Preto Esporte Clube.

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]

International relations

São José do Rio Preto has established twinning relationships with:

• Nantong, Jiangsu – China

Notable People

• Rogério Galloro (born 1970) - former Director-General of the Federal Police of Brazil

References

1. "Cities and States - São José do Rio Preto". Retrieved 28 August 2023.
2. "Ranking IDHM 2010" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
3. "Nature and economic progress on the Northwest region of São Paulo (1910-1920)".
4. "Censo 2010 of the IBGE". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
5. "Aniversário de Rio Preto será comemorado com shows, seminário e exposições". Groupo Notica. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
6. "The advance in Kaingang lands of São Paulo's West" (in Portuguese). Portal Kaingang. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
7. "History on the Prefecture's Official Site" (in Portuguese). Riopreto.sp.gov.br. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
8. "Toponymy and Origins". illuminatelocks.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
9. "História da Diocese de São José do Rio Preto_ANTIGA". Diocese de São José do Rio Preto/SP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 18 July 2022.
10. "Iboruna, 158 years" (in Portuguese). Diarioweb. 21 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
11. "Economic Conjuncture of the City, 2010". Conjuntura econômica de São José do Rio Preto - 2010 (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 June 2011.
12. "Temperatura Máxima Mensal". Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorológicas. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
13. "Temperatura Mínima Mensal" (in Portuguese). Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorológicas. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
14. "Temperatura Média Mensal" (in Portuguese). Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorológicas. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
15. "Chuva Mensal" (in Portuguese). Centro Integrado de Informações Agrometeorológicas. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
16. "Municipal Profile at SEADE" (in Portuguese). Fundação SEADE. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
17. "Gross Domestic Product 2019" (PDF) (in Portuguese). IBGE.gov.br. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
18. "São José do Rio Preto", Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre (in Portuguese), 15 July 2022, retrieved 15 July 2022
19. Schneider, Ronald M. (22 February 2018). Brazil: Culture And Politics In A New Industrial Powerhouse. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-97057-3.
20. "Ranking". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
21. "História de S. José do Rio Preto".
22. "Censo 2010 - Lista municípios e religiões". 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
23. Santos, Marco Antonio dos. "Rio Preto tem ano mais violento desde 2002". Diário da Região (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
24. Carvalho, Rone (27 January 2021). "Número de homicídios aumenta, enquanto casos de roubos e furtos caem em Rio Preto". Diário da Região (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 20 August 2022.
25. "2010 IBGE Census - SIDRA - Tables 3152 and 3157". IBGE.gov.br. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
26. "Municipal Social Indicators IBGE 2010 - São Paulo state". 2010 Census of the IBGE. IBGE.gov.br. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
27. "IBGE - 2020" (in Portuguese). Denatran.gov.br. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
28. "Lei Ordinária 13690 2020 de São José do Rio Preto SP". leismunicipais.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
29. "[Coluna da Mi Machado] Bibliotecas do Brasil - São José do Rio Preto/SP - Minha Vida Literária". www.minhavidaliteraria.com.br. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
30. "Prefeitura de São José do Rio Preto".
31. "Represa municipal".
32. "Conjuntura Econômica de São José do Rio Preto". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
33. ".:: Hospital de Base - São José do Rio Preto ::". 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
34. DLNews. "Viva Rio Preto: HB e Famerp estão entre os muitos motivos para celebrar seus 168 anos | DLNews". dlnews.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
35. CardioPedBrasil®. "CardioPedBrasil® | CardioPedBrasil - Centro do Coração da Criança - Hospital da Criança e Maternidade de São José do Rio Preto/ SP ganha selo internacional de qualidade". www.cardiopedbrasil.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
36. "São José do Rio Preto Educa" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 31 July 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
37. "Conjuntura Econômica" (PDF) (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
38. "Enade - Rio Preto". Retrieved 15 June 2011.
39. "Rumo inaugura maior posto de abastecimento de trens em Araraquara (SP)". Cargo News (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 October 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
40. Fern, Por; Geronazzo, o (23 June 2020). "Rede Vida comemora 25 anos de serviço à evangelização com identidade católica". Jornal O São Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
41. "Creation of Telesp - April 12, 1973". www.imprensaoficial.com.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
42. "Our History - Telefônica RI". Telefônica. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
43. "Capacidade dos estádios da A-2" (in Portuguese). Futebol Interior. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
44. "Rio Preto Weilers". Salão Oval (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
45. Fernandes, Henrique (18 July 2019). "Rio Preto Weilers se consolida como melhor do Estado de São Paulo". Gazeta de Rio Preto (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
46. "CAD - Clube Amigos dos Deficientes". 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2022.

External links

• (in Portuguese) City Hall's Official Site