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Recife

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Recife is a large and busy city in Brazil.

Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map
Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map

It sits on the Atlantic coast in the northeast part of South America. This city is the capital of the state of Pernambuco.

Recife, Brasil
Recife, Brasil

It is the largest urban area in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. In 2022, the metro population was 3,726,974 people. The city is built on three islands named Recife, Santo Antônio, and Boa Vista.

Recife, Brasil
Recife, Brasil

The Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers flow through the city before reaching the ocean. Because of these rivers and many small islands, people call it the "Venice of Brazil." There are more than 50 bridges that link the different parts together.

The way the city looks is shaped by its water and its name. The name Recife comes from the stone reefs found offshore. These reefs are not coral, but are actually very hard, ancient beaches.

Praia de Boa Viagem , Pernambuco
Praia de Boa Viagem , Pernambuco

The weather is tropical and stays warm or hot all year. It is very humid, but ocean winds help keep it pleasant. June is the wettest month with much rain.

Recife, Brasil
Recife, Brasil

November is the driest and sunniest month of the year. Visitors often go to the beaches, like the famous Porto de Galinhas to the south.

Praia de Boa Viagem , Pernambuco
Praia de Boa Viagem , Pernambuco

However, some waters are dangerous because of shark attacks.

Signs warning of shark attacks at Boa Viagem Beach in Recife, Brazil
Signs warning of shark attacks at Boa Viagem Beach in Recife, Brazil

Recife has a very old history that began in the 1500s. It was founded around 1537 during the early days of Portuguese colonization.

AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad
AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad

At first, it was a small place with fishing shacks and warehouses. It served as a main harbor for the production of sugar cane. In the 17th century, the Dutch West India Company took control.

Flag of New Holland
Flag of New Holland

They called the city Mauritsstad while it was the capital of New Holland. The Portuguese later recaptured the city in 1654 after two battles.

AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad
AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad

Today, Recife is a major center for many different types of work. It is a huge hub for business and industry in the Northeast. One special area is called Porto Digital, which started in July 2000.

Prefeitura do Recife(2)
Prefeitura do Recife(2)

This area has over 90 companies and many high-tech jobs. They make software that is sent to places like the United States and China. The city is also Brazil's second largest medical hub.

Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco 2
Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco 2

Many people travel from other states to use the modern hospitals there. The city also has many businesses, with over 85,000 in the metro area.

Many people visit Recife to see its famous culture and sites. It is a very important place for tourism in Brazil. The city is home to the Federal University of Pernambuco.

Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco 2
Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco 2

This is the largest university in the state. People also come to see the historic city of Olinda nearby.

Frevo dancers - Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil(4)
Frevo dancers - Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil(4)

Recife and Natal are the only cities with direct flights to the Fernando de Noronha islands.

Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map
Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map

The city also hosted big sports events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Rivaldo
Rivaldo
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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:Flag of New Holland.svg
Flag of New Holland.svg
File:Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg
Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal,...
File:Flag of Empire of Brazil (1870-1889).svg
Flag of Empire of Brazil (1870-1889).svg
File:AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad.jpg
AMH-6921-KB Map of Recife and Mauritsstad.jpg
File:Recife, Brasil.jpg
Recife, Brasil.jpg
File:Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map.svg
Brazil Pernambuco Recife location map.svg
File:Recife, the Brazilian capital of social inequality color version.jpg
Recife, the Brazilian capital of social...
File:Prefeitura do Recife(2).jpg
Prefeitura do Recife(2).jpg
File:Frevo dancers - Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil(4).jpg
Frevo dancers - Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil(4).jpg
File:Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco 2.jpg
Faculdade de Direito da Universidade...
File:RPAs de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.svg
RPAs de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.svg
File:Calçadão e ciclovia da Praia de Boa Viagem - Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.jpg
Calçadão e ciclovia da Praia de Boa...

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