Goiania                                                                   (  air views of the city  )

 

  Population: 1003477 inhabitants (1996)

    One of the most modern cities in the country, the capital of the state of Goias was planned on 1933 by the urbanist Aiílio Correia Lima, became the state's capital on 1937 and was oficially inaugurated on 1942. Goiania is placed in the country's central plateau, on the limit between "cerrado" and tropical forest, by the banks of the Meia Ponte river, affluent of the right bank of the Paranaíba, at 764m altitude. Is 207km away from Brasilia.   
    With tropical weather, Goiania average temperature between 20 and 22o C and thermal amplitude bellow 5o C. The rains concentrate on the summer months and vary between 1.500 and 2.000mm each year. The city is dynamic, well arborized, with long avenues, squares and gardens. Because it is a planned city Goiania presents ordenate growth, of the radiocentric type: a central square from wich start streets and diagonal avenues involved, on the south side, by circular avenues. At the north side, where the industrial sector is, the sketch is straight. At the central zone we find the administrative center, with the major public and commercial buildings. The south side represents the residential area, where predominate houses and bold architecture buildings. The city's relief, very plain, allows the free growth, within the urban plan coordinates.   
    Goiania has got one of the country's most modern stadiums, the Serra Dourada, a Internacional Raceway and a Culture and Conventions Center with two auditoriums.   

History. The state's first capital was the old Vila Boa de Goias, latter city of Goias, until the begining of the XX century, known today as Goias Velho. The agricultural valorization of the forest areas and the necessity of decentralize the development made appear the idea of a new capital, with a modern sketch. The chosen place, plain and near the agricultural lands, was part of the town of Campinas, where were placed the Criméia, Vaca Brava and Botafogo farms. The fast growth was because of the political-administrative role, to the co-related services and the intense commerce, mostly after the building of Brasilia. In less than half-a-century from the inauguration date, Goiania's population multiplied by one thousand, one of the most high levels of growth amongst the big cities of the country.
   

Touristic Atractions

Cora Coralina Market – Happens on saturdays at the traditional Rua do Lazer. Has the name of one of the most important poets and sweetmakers of the state. More specific to the sweet sellers. At the place different types of sweets and foods are sold.

Ecological Park of Goiania – Ulisses Guimarães – It's area is 3.153,51 hectares, and in it's extension is possible to find diverse fruit and noble trees. The vegetation of the place is caracterized by closed forest formations,with trees over 30 meters high. Was created on 1992 and is 18 km away from Goiania, by the GO-060. The place should turn into one of the most important forests of "cerrado" in the country. It has many hiking trails and will have a big dam wich will be responsible by Goiania's water supply.

Agricultural Exposition Park – Famous for being the place of one of the most tradicional agricultural festivals. In the place also happen rodeos and millionaire auctions, as well as "sertaneja" music concerts with the most known of this musical style.

Shopping Centers – The Flamboyant, Bougainville and Goiania Shopping Centers, where there are lots of department stores, famous trademarks shops, food squares, cinema theaters and child fun places.

Feira da Lua (Moon's Market) – Happening on saturday nights at the famous Tamandare Square, the place has got the most different types of food and natural products. Counts with 930 expositors of the sectors of food, curios, mystic products and children's fun.

Sweet, Honey and Nature Market – Happens every sunday afternoon ant the Praca do Sol(Sun's Square). Like the two other tradicional markets in town, it's full of food, natural drinks and curios. Meeting place for youngsters, the place is ideal to make friendships and chat a lot. A total of 252 expositors work on it.

Mutirama Park – A center of children's fun surrounded by green areas and playgrounds. Has got electronic toys and food square.

Horto Florestal – With an area of 98.800 m², covered by vegetation, has got the city Zoo, where lots of animals can be visited. In the area there is space fo sport activities, like jogging track, sand fields, and the Lago das Rosas(Roses' Lake).