Salvador
Salvador is the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia. With 2.9 million people (2020), it is the largest city proper in the Northeast Region and the 4th-largest city proper in the country, after São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.
History[edit | edit source]
Founded by the Portuguese in 1549 as the first capital of Brazil, Salvador is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. A sharp escarpment divides its Lower Town (Cidade Baixa) from its Upper Town (Cidade Alta) by some 85 meters (279 ft). The Elevador Lacerda, Brazil's first elevator, has connected the two since 1873. The Pelourinho district of the upper town, still home to many examples of Portuguese colonial architecture and historical monuments, was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The city's cathedral is the see of the primate of Brazil and its Carnival celebration has been reckoned as the largest party in the world. Salvador was the first slave port in the Americas and the African influence of the slaves' descendants makes it a center of Afro-Brazilian (negro) culture. The city is noted for its cuisine, music, and architecture.
Geography[edit | edit source]
Salvador is located on a small, roughly triangular peninsula that separates the Bay of All Saints, the largest bay in Brazil, from the Atlantic Ocean. The bay is the part of the Atlantic Ocean where the fresh water of the Paraguaçu River flows out, after crossing the entire width of the state of Bahia from west to east. It has a tropical rainforest climate with a wet and dry season.
Economy[edit | edit source]
Salvador's economy is centered on services and industry. The city is also an important exporter of cacao, rubber, hide, and other goods.
Culture[edit | edit source]
Salvador is known for its strong Afro-Brazilian culture, seen in its music, cuisine, and traditions, which include the capoeira and the samba. The city's music scene ranges from Brazilian popular music to reggae to afoxé, a genre that's been described as a mix of Candomblé religious music, frevo, and other African music styles.
Education[edit | edit source]
The city is home to several universities, including the Federal University of Bahia, one of the oldest in Brazil.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- Official website (in Portuguese)
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
