Palmas, Tocantins

Palmas is the capital and largest city of the state of Tocantins in Brazil.

It serves as a vital administrative and economic hub for the entire state. The city was founded in 1990 to serve as the capital for the newly formed state of Tocantins. This state was established under the 1988 constitution. The creation of Palmas was intended to develop a previously undeveloped part of the nation. By building a new capital, the government aimed to provide better job opportunities for people in the region.

The urban design of Palmas is very specific and intentional. Its road system and urban zoning are modeled after Brasília, which is the national capital of Brazil. A large, central avenue, similar to the Monumental Axis in Brasília, extends from north to south through the city. At the city center, there is a symmetrical park.

This planned layout includes widely spaced avenues. During construction, builders preserved many original trees to keep green areas intact. Many of these street trees are actually older than the city itself. Man-planted palms also line the main thoroughfare, Avenida JK.

The geography of the region is shaped by its location in the cerrado. The cerrado is a vast Brazilian area characterized by a hot, semi-humid climate. Palmas is situated in a "bow" valley of the Tocantins River. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It sits at a low elevation of 195 metres above sea level. This low elevation, combined with the river, increases humidity and can make hot days feel uncomfortable.

Climate patterns in Palmas follow distinct seasonal cycles. The city experiences a dry winter season from May through September. During this time, temperatures can climb into the high 30s degrees Celsius. The rainy season lasts from October to April. During these months, heavy rains and cloud cover help keep the city much cooler. The city receives about 1,300 mm of annual rainfall. Interestingly, because the city is located at 10S latitude, it celebrates Christmas and New Year during the summer. However, the summer months of December to February are actually the rainiest and coldest part of the year due to the heavy rain.

Water management has significantly changed the local landscape. In 2002, a dam was completed on the Tocantins River. This project created a large reservoir and provided the city with new beaches.

The project also included the construction of the Fernando Henrique Cardoso Bridge. This large bridge connects Palmas with the district of Luzimangues in Porto Nacional. It also provides a connection to the major highway, BR-153.

The economy of Palmas is driven largely by the service sector. It was designed to be the economic center of Tocantins. While agriculture exists, it is mostly based on small farms near the city and highways. Larger farms in the Buritirana district focus on raising livestock and growing soybeans.

The city's business landscape is mostly formal, consisting of limited partnerships and sole proprietorships. Micro firms are very common, making up over 80% of the 4,394 companies in the city. In 2007, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Palmas was estimated at $2.2 billion. This represented a 6% increase, which was much higher than the 3.5% growth seen in the rest of Brazil.

Palmas is also a center for education and regional influence. The Federal University of Tocantins is a major institution located in the city.

The city's economic influence extends to southeastern Pará, northeastern Mato Grosso, and southern Maranhão. For travel, the Palmas Airport connects the city to many other Brazilian cities.

Although the airport was planned for a population of one million, it is currently uncrowded. The city also serves as a gateway to Taquaruçu, a nearby village famous for its waterfalls and ecotourism. In 2015, Palmas showed its growing importance by hosting the World Indigenous Games.