São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro

Coordinates: 22°49′37″S 43°03′14″W / 22.82694°S 43.05389°W / -22.82694; -43.05389
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São Gonçalo
Município do São Gonçalo
Municipality of São Gonçalo
Flag of São Gonçalo
Official seal of São Gonçalo
Nickname: 
Manchester Fluminense
Localization in Rio de Janeiro
Localization in Rio de Janeiro
São Gonçalo is located in Brazil
São Gonçalo
São Gonçalo
Localization in Brazil
Coordinates: 22°49′37″S 43°03′14″W / 22.82694°S 43.05389°W / -22.82694; -43.05389
CountryBrazil
RegionSoutheast
StateRio de Janeiro
City EstablishedSeptember 22, 1890
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • BodyPrefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro
 • MayorNeilton Mulin (PR (2013–2016))
Area
 • Total249.142 km2 (96.194 sq mi)
Elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total1,016,128
 • Density4,078.51/km2 (10,563.3/sq mi)
Demonymgoncalense
Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−2 (BRST)
Area code+55 21

São Gonçalo (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ɡõˈsalu]) is a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its population (as of 2009) is 1,010,212 inhabitants,[1] and it is the second most populous city in the state after the capital, Rio de Janeiro.

Statistics[change | change source]

Its population was 1,010,212 in 2009.[1] The total area of the city is 249 square kilometres (96 square miles).[2] It is the second most populous city in the state after Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the state.

Geography[change | change source]

Climate[change | change source]

São Gonçalo has a tropical Atlantic climate, with rainy summers and relatively dry winters. The city has different temperatures at different times of the year. They can be up to 40 °C (104 °F) in summer and 10 °C (50 °F) during winter. Generally, the temperature is between the maximum of 25 to 35 °C (77 to 95 °F) and minimum 14 to 24 °C (57 to 75 °F). But for most part of the year, i.e. from May to October, the temperature is milder because the climate is drier and less hot.

Demographics[change | change source]

Pop. growth
Year Population
1991 779,832
1996 831,467
2000 891,119
2007 960,631
2012 1,016,128

São Gonçalo has a high population growth rate. 1,016,128 people live in the city, up from 960,631 in 2007. According to the 2012 census, the racial makeup of São Gonçalo includes: Whites (22.7%), Brown (54.1%), Black or African (20.2%), two or more races (3%) and Asian (0.02%). The non-Brazilian population was 3.5% (Paraguayan 2%, Bolivian 1%, Chinese 0.5%), which is a high number compared to other cities in Brazil. The same census said that São Gonçalo has a large amount of poverty. 31.5% of the population was officially living in poverty in 2012, down from 81% in 1990. People considered "Class A" were only 4.7% of the population.

Education[change | change source]

The Rio de Janeiro State Teachers' Training College (FFP-UERJ) stands out in the city. It is the largest teachers' college in Rio de Janeiro state. Its students are mostly residents from Sao Goncalo, but many come from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Itaboraí, and cities of the Baixada Fluminense region, among others. For many years, students from this campus have asked for a bus route to the Saint Mary UERJ Maracanã.

Health[change | change source]

São Gonçalo has the following hospitals: Hospital Estadual Alberto Torres; Eye Hospital Niteroi; Hospital Luiz Palmier; Hospital Adam Pereira Nunes; Barone Hospital de Medeiros; Silveira Hospital Infantil Darcy Vargas, Hospital Pads, Hospital Santa Maria.

Garbage collection crisis[change | change source]

São Gonçalo has poor garbage collection services. Garbage sometimes collects on the streets for this reason. In December 2008, waste collectors went on strike, which made the problem even worse.[3] In January 2011, garbage collection stopped for more than a week in some parts of the city.[4]

Notable residents[change | change source]

Zélio Fernandino de Moraes, founder of the Umbanda Branca religious sect, was born in São Gonçalo.

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "IBGE | Portal do IBGE | IBGE".
  2. IBGEefault.php
  3. "Greve de garis espalha mais de 800 toneladas de lixo pelas ruas de São Gonçalo". Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  4. "Moradores de São Gonçalo ainda sofrem com falta de coleta de lixo". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2015-06-23.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to São Gonçalo at Wikimedia Commons