Curitiba...
Ecological Capital of Brazil
Botanical Garden - © Christian Knepper/Embratur
Curitiba is unique.
It was founded in 1693 on the shade of Parana pines.
In fact, "Kur ity ba" is a Guarani name that means pine-kernels.
It's the capital of the State of Parana, Brazil, and one of the preferred places for European immigrants: Italians, Poles, Germans, Ukrainians, etc. who settled down in 19th. century.
This can be appreciated in the variety of its cuisine, the particular way of speaking Portuguese and the number of monuments and public places dedicated to them.
A genuine mixture of cultures.
The well-being of the citizen is the main preoccupation of the city, whose urban expansion is planned so as to avoid stress for its inhabitants.
Through a thoughtful city planning - that started with a Master Plan in 1965 - this is a superb example of integration between environmentally-friendly policies, public transport, social programs, waste management (recycling programs), expansion of green areas, etc...
- It has Brazil's first environmental university: UNILIVRE - Universidade Livre do Meio Ambiente (Open University of the Environment).
The concept of free university means that knowledge should not be made available only for university students, but be made available for all - It carries out projects relating to sustainable economy, conservation of the ecosystem and environmental education
- It has 90 miles of bike paths, 26 parks and lots of trees
- It also has 52 square meters of green space per inhabitant, far more than the 16 square meters that United Nations recommends
- Lighthouses of Knowledge; free educational centers scattered around the city where job training, social welfare and educational programs are coordinated
- An Integrated Transport Network - allowing transit between any points in the city by paying just one fare.
There are several kinds of buses, each serving a particular purpose and fixed itinerary...
- Express buses
- Inter-Neighborhood buses
- Direct lines
- Feeding lines
- Around downtown
- Conventional buses
- Interhospitals
- Tourism lineIn 1974, a road hierarchy was created and five structural transport corridors were completed by 1982. The growth of the city was structured along these corridors.
Major Jaime Lener is considered to be the main artifice of this planning. He was elected for three alternate terms with an approval rate of 92% - Jardim Botanico (Botanical Garden)
- Museu Oscar Niemeyer (Museum)
- Opera de Arame
- "Stone City" at Vila Velha State Park
- Santa Felicidade district (Italian quarters)
- Barigüi Park
- Barreirinha Park
- Passouna Park
- Japan Square
- São Cristovão
- Portugal Wood
- Jerusalem Fountain
- Arab Memorial
- Pope's Wood
- German Wood
- Capão da Imbuia Wood
- Tropeiros Park
- Reinhard Maack Wood
- Sâo Francisco Ruins
- Parana Federal University
Curitiba: Opera de Arame - © Christian Knepper/Embratur
Downtown Curitiba is built around praça (square) Garibaldi and Tiradentes.
Between Rua (street) Visconde de Nacar and Visconde do Rio Branco you'll find Rua 24 Horas (24 hours street).
It's a meeting point for tourists and locals, the place for late shopping and for those seeking leisure, night life and good restaurants.
In addition, it also provides free internet access for everybody, just by making an appointment.
The list of things to do and visit is HUGE.
Here are only some of them...
Curitiba is a model in addressing universal problems for cities.
Its creative approach is envied worldwide and Majors from just about every corner on the Planet had come here to learn there.
It's also the place where we have found the word democracy applied to the full extent.
Admirable.
If you are a city dweller, you have found paradise...
Curitiba:Tangua Park- © Christian Knepper/Embratur
How to Get There:
Alfonso Pena International Airport is located around 18 km. from Curitiba, in the town of São Jose dos Pinhais. See airports in Brazil for more info on this.
By Road:
The city is crossed by many federal highways:BR-116, BR-277, BR-153, BR-376/101
Coming from São Paulo use BR-116 South.
From Florianópolis use BR-101.
From Porto Alegre use BR-116 North.
Where to Stay:
From budget to luxury, there are plenty of options.
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