Olímpia

Olímpia is a municipality in the northern part of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The population, measured in 2010 by the IBGE, is 50,024 inhabitants.[1] The city has an area of 802.6 km2 (309.9 sq mi).

Olímpia
Municipality
The Municipality of
Olímpia
Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Folklore's National Capital, The Lady Girl City
Location of Olímpia
Coordinates: 20°44′14″S 48°54′53″W
Country Brazil
RegionSoutheast
State São Paulo
MesoregionSão José do Rio Preto
Government
 • MayorEugênio José Zuliani
Area
 • Total802.6 km2 (309.9 sq mi)
Elevation
506 m (1,660 ft)
Population
 (2010/IBGE)
 • Total50,024
 • Density62.32/km2 (161.4/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-3 (UTC-3)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-2 (UTC-2)
Postal Code
15400-000
Area code(s)+55 17
WebsiteOlímpia's Prefecture

Olímpia is not named after the ancient town in Greece (see Olympia, Greece), but from Maria Olímpia Rodrigues Vieira, daughter of the politician Dr. Antônio Olímpio Rodrigues Vieira, one of those responsible for the founding of the city.

The city belongs to the Microregion of São José do Rio Preto.

History

The mineiro Antônio Joaquim dos Santos established a farm on the region in the 19th century. He named the farm, "Sertão dos Olhos-d'Água" (Eyes of Water Backwoods). The engineer Robert John Reid arrived, to demarcate lands of the farm. In March 1903, parts of the farm gave birth to the village of "São João Batista dos Olhos d'Água".

On December 18, 1906, the town was elevated to district of Barretos, receiving the name of "Vila Olímpia", after Maria Olímpia Rodrigues Vieira, daughter of the politician Dr. Antônio Olímpio Rodrigues Vieira, one of those responsible for the city creation.

In 1907 the first cinema theater was built in Vila Olímpia, the Cine São João, by Miguel Haidar and Guilherme Costa. In 1910, Cap. Narciso Bertolino founded the first school in town. A cemetery named São José was first opened in 1914.

The municipality of Olímpia was established in December 7, 1917, with the emancipation from Barretos.[2]

Economy

The economy of the city has the Tertiary sector as basis. 65.5% of Olímpia's GDP comes from the Commerce and Services, 26% from Industry and 8.2% from the Primary sector.[3]

Culture

Olímpia is known as Brazil's Folklore Capital, due to the "Festival Nacional do Folclore", an annual festival, and the Museum of Folklore. The city has a park of thermal waters, the "Parque Aquático Thermas dos Laranjais".[4]

Transportation
  • SP-322 - Rodovia Armando de Salles Oliveira
  • SP-425 - Rodovia Assis Chateaubriand

References
  1. "2010 Census of the IBGE - Population - Table 2.1.20" (PDF). IBGE.gov.br. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  2. "History of the City" (in Portuguese). Olimpia.sp.gov.br. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. "Municipal Profile at SEADE" (in Portuguese). Fundação SEADE. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  4. ""The City" on Olímpia's Prefecture Site" (in Portuguese). Olimpia.sp.gov.br. Retrieved 9 July 2011.


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