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Salvador, Bahia

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Salvador is a major municipality and the capital city of the state of Bahia in Brazil.

Brazil Bahia Salvador location map
Brazil Bahia Salvador location map

It is located within the Zona da Mata in the Northeast Region of the country. The city is built on a roughly triangular peninsula. This landform separates the Atlantic Ocean to the east from the Bay of All Saints to the west.

Salvador BA
Salvador BA

The Bay of All Saints is the largest bay in Brazil. Because of its strategic location, Salvador has become a vital center for culture, economy, and administration. It is recognized internationally for its unique music, cuisine, and architecture.

The geography of the city created a unique urban layout. The city was built following an uneven topography. This resulted in the formation of two distinct levels: the Upper Town (Cidade Alta) and the Lower Town (Cidade Baixa). These two areas are separated by a steep escarpment, which is a long, steep slope or cliff.

Entardecer elevedor lacerda
Entardecer elevedor lacerda

Historically, the Upper Town served as the primary district for religion, administration, and residence. The Lower Town functioned as the commercial center, containing the port and various markets. To connect these two levels, Brazil's first elevator was constructed in 1873. This was a powerful hydraulic elevator designed to move people between the cliffs.

Salvador Brazil skyline
Salvador Brazil skyline

Salvador holds a significant place in the history of the Americas. It was founded in 1549 by Tomé de Sousa.

Tomé de sousa
Tomé de sousa

At that time, the Portuguese Empire was implementing the General Government of Brazil. As the first capital of Colonial Brazil, Salvador is one of the oldest European-founded cities in the region. The city's history includes many conflicts and shifts in power. In 1624, a Dutch fleet commanded by Piet Pieterszoon Hein captured and sacked the city.

Attack on San Salvador RMG BHC0268
Attack on San Salvador RMG BHC0268

However, a Luso-Spanish fleet successfully recaptured the city in 1625. The capital of the colony was eventually moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1763.

The cultural identity of Salvador is deeply shaped by its history and its people. The city is a major center of Afro-Brazilian culture due to strong African influences. This heritage is visible in many cultural aspects of daily life. In 1985, UNESCO declared the Historic Center of Salvador a World Heritage Site.

Solar Ferrão fachada 2008
Solar Ferrão fachada 2008

This area is famous for colonial architecture and monuments dating from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

Igreja de São Francisco Salvador 2019-6929
Igreja de São Francisco Salvador 2019-6929

Salvador is also a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, holding the unique title of "City of Music."

Today, Salvador is a massive urban center with a large population. As of 2020, the municipality had more than 2.4 million inhabitants.

Av Paralela no Imbuí
Av Paralela no Imbuí

It is the most populous municipality in the Northeast and the fifth most populous in all of Brazil. The wider metropolitan area, known as "Great Salvador," had an estimated 3,957,123 inhabitants in 2020.

Avtancredoneves23012011
Avtancredoneves23012011

This makes it the second most populous metropolitan area in the Northeast. Because of its size and importance, the IBGE classifies it as a regional metropolis. It is also recognized as a global city in the "Sufficiency" category by the Research Network of Globalization and World Cities.

The economy of Salvador is robust and serves as the economic heart of the state of Bahia. It is a significant port city, an administrative hub, and a major tourist destination. The metropolitan region holds the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among urban concentrations in the Northeast. In 2018, the city had the second-highest GDP among all municipalities in the Northeast. The city is also home to many important regional and international companies. These include names such as Novonor, Braskem, Neoenergy Coelba, and Suzano Papel e Celulose.

Salvador is also a major destination for international events and sports. The city has hosted significant political and educational gatherings, such as the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in 2010. It has also hosted major athletic competitions. These include the 1989 Copa América, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Arena Fonte Nova External View
Arena Fonte Nova External View

The city's Carnival is also world-famous. According to the Guinness World Records, it is the largest street party in the world.

Alexius Filhos de Gandhy Salvador Bahia
Alexius Filhos de Gandhy Salvador Bahia

From its historic monuments to its modern metro system, Salvador remains a vital part of the Brazilian landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (74)
File:Tomé_de_sousa.jpg
Tomé_de_sousa.jpg
File:Solar Ferrão fachada 2008.jpg
Solar Ferrão fachada 2008.jpg
Attack_on_San_Salvador_RMG_BHC0268.tiff
File:Salvador_Brasil_1875.jpg
Salvador_Brasil_1875.jpg
File:Campo Grande ssa.jpg
Campo Grande ssa.jpg
File:Brazil Bahia Salvador location map.svg
Brazil Bahia Salvador location map.svg
File:Skyline of Salvador, Brazil.jpg
Skyline of Salvador, Brazil.jpg
File:Ponta_de_Santo_Antônio.jpg
Ponta_de_Santo_Antônio.jpg
File:Av Paralela no Imbuí.jpg
Av Paralela no Imbuí.jpg
File:Catedral Basílica Salvador 2019-6527.jpg
Catedral Basílica Salvador 2019-6527.jpg
File:IURD Salvador.jpg
IURD Salvador.jpg
File:Casa de Oxumarê-13729.jpg
Casa de Oxumarê-13729.jpg

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