Guarulhos

Guarulhos is a major municipality in Brazil. It is located within the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. Specifically, it sits northeast of the state capital, São Paulo. The city is a massive urban center. It is the second most populous city in the state of São Paulo. Nationally, it is the 13th most populous city in Brazil. Interestingly, it is the most populous city in the country that is not a state capital. As of 2024, the population reached 1,345,364 people.

The city serves as a vital hub for international travel. It is home to the São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). This facility is the largest airport in South America. It also serves as the primary airport for the city of São Paulo. The airport is officially known as the International Airport of São Paulo–Guarulhos Governor André Franco Montoro. Because of this, the city is a gateway to the continent.

Guarulhos has a deep history rooted in the 16th century. A Jesuit priest named Manuel de Paiva founded the settlement on December 8, 1560. He originally named the location Nossa Senhora da Conceição. In its early years, the area was a strategic military location. It helped defend the boundaries of the São Paulo de Piratininga Village. The settlement was surrounded by the Tietê and Cabuçu de Cima rivers. This position was important for protecting against the Tamoios, an indigenous tribe. The name "Guarulhos" likely comes from the Guaramomis or Maramomis people. In the Tupi language, this name means "Eaters" or "big-bellied people."

The city's identity changed through several legal milestones. In 1880, it separated from São Paulo. At that time, it was named Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Guarulhos. The modern name, Guarulhos, was officially adopted on November 6, 1906. The early 20th century brought significant technological growth. The arrival of the railway and electricity changed the landscape. New industries, telephone networks, and passenger transport services soon followed. These developments laid the foundation for a modern urban economy.

Industrialization drove a massive population boom in the mid-20th century. During the 1940s, many different sectors began to grow. These included metallurgy, plastics, food, rubber, footwear, and vehicles. The city even produced clocks and leather goods. There are currently around 2,000 industrial establishments in the municipality. This economic surge caused the population to rise rapidly. In 1950, there were only 35,000 residents. By 1980, that number had climbed to 532,726. Between 2000 and 2006, the population grew three times as fast as the rest of São Paulo State.

Guarulhos is also a center of economic strength. As of 2021, it ranked 10th in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among all Brazilian cities. Within the state of São Paulo, it ranks second. The GDP per capita for the municipality was R$55,084.22 in 2021. This wealth is supported by a highly active workforce. The city is also recognized as the tenth largest suburb in the world.

Despite its urban density, the city contains important natural protections. It includes part of the Cantareira State Park, which was created in 1962. This park is essential because it protects a large part of the water supply for metropolitan São Paulo. The city also contains part of the Mananciais do Rio Paraíba do Sul Environmental Protection Area. This area was established in 1982 to protect the sources of the Paraíba do Sul river. The climate is classified as a Humid Subtropical Climate, or "Cfa." This means there are relatively high temperatures and rain is spread evenly throughout the year.

Transportation networks connect the city to the rest of Brazil. The Rodovia Presidente Dutra is the main highway serving the area. It connects São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. For rail travel, Line 13–Jade of the commuter rail system connects the international airport to Engenheiro Goulart. Looking toward the future, construction is set to begin on Line 19–Sky Blue. This will be the first line of the São Paulo Metro to serve Guarulhos. These connections ensure the city remains a central node in the region's infrastructure.