Welcome to Sao Luisđ˛, the captivating capital city and largest city of Maranhao, the Brazilian state!
From its rich cultural heritage to its attractive cityscape, it offers fascinating facts for you to discover!
This article will offer some wonderful facts about Sao Luis that will leave you completely amazed.
Letâs begin this wonderful journey!
Fascinating Sao Luis Facts
Sao Luis: It is the 15th-largest city in Brazil
Did you know this interesting fact about Sao Luis? No?? Let me explain.
It is the largest and also the capital city of Maranhao, a state in Brazil. It is located on Ilha de Sao Marcos or Saint Louisâ Island in Saint Marks Bay, an extension of the Atlantic Ocean đ.
Sao Luis has the second-largest maritime extension within the states of Brazil. The beautiful Sao Luis is ranked as the 15th-largest city in Brazil, with an area of 319 square miles. Also, it has a population of 1108,975 people.
Sao Luis: The only Brazilian state capital founded by France
Sao Luis is the only state capital in Brazil that is founded by France. Also, Sao Luis is one of the three state capitals of Brazil that is situated on islands.
The cityâs historic center, which dates from the 17th century, has its original street plan preserved.
Daniel de La Touche: Was absent from the foundation ceremony
According to the book of Claude dâAbbeville, History of the Mission of the Capuchin Fathers on the Island of Maranhao, Sao Luisâ official founder Daniel de La Touche, was not present at the foundation ceremony.
The ceremony took place on September 8, 1612. Though Daniel was a Protestant, the ceremony was actually Catholic. According to the writer, âA Protestant would never participate in the inauguration in the name of Catholicism!â
When Sao Luis was 300 years old, the first celebration took place. There was a procession made by the Tupinamba Indians and the French. Also, Daniel took part in the ceremony.
Sao Luis is founded by the French: Then why is it still known as Sao Luis?
Have you thought about this, my little friend?? The city was founded by Daniel de La Touche, and later, they were expelled by the Portuguese. Then why is the name is still Sao Luis?? Quite strange, isnât it?
According to the history of the city, Jeronimo de Albuquerque Maranhao, the person who expelled the French, left the cityâs name, Sao Luis. Thus, retaining the memory of the presence of the French and their works.
Sao Luis offered cotton to Great Britain
Not long after the outbreak of the American Civil War, the city began to offer cotton to Great Britain! The wealth đ°received from this activity was utilized to make the entire city more modern than before.
The wealth was used to bring religious people to teach in Sao Luisâ schools and even supplement the water supply.
During that time, Sao Luis became the third most populous city in Brazil. Also, by the end of the 19th century, agriculture started decaying, and the people of the city started searching for other methods to make a living.
Sao Luis: Know about its ancestral composition
I am really surprised to explore this interesting fact about the beautiful city of Sao Luis! Want to know??
According to an autosomal DNA study, the ancestral composition of this beautiful Brazilian city is 39% Native American, 42% European, and 19% African.
The seat of the Government of Maranhao or Palacio dos Leoes
The seat of Maranhaoâs Government did not always have this name. According to Euges Lima, this name was utilized as a result of criticism!
Palace of the Lions was not always called that way. It was called Government Palaceđ°, for hosting the government governors in the colonial period.
Opposition groups use the tiles with lion engravings as an irony while attacking the governor of the time. It happened even when Maranhao was governed by federa government-appointed political administrators.
Rather than being irritated, he neutralized the critics by making those bronze sculptures. From that day, it became the Palace of Lions.
Sao Luis has the best-preserved heritage of Portuguese colonial architecture
The island is famous as the âIsland of Loveâ and also âthe Brazilian Athensâ because of its many writers and poets, like Aluisio Azevedo, Sotero dos Reis, Goncalves Dias, Graca Aranha, Ferreira Gullar, and many more.
Also, due to the popularity of Reggae Music, the city of Sao Luis is also famous as âthe Brazilian Jamaica.â
Sao Luis City has two notable sea ports
Did you hear this wonderful fact about the city of Sao Luis??
Itaqui Port and Madeira Port are two major ports âľin this city!
Through these two ports, a substantial part of the countryâs iron ore is exported.
The main industries of this beautiful Brazilian city are metallurgical with Alumar and Vale.
The traitor from Tiradentes was buried in Sao Luis
I am quite surprised to explore this unique secret about Sao Luis!!
Yes, in history, known as the traitor from Tirandes, Joaquim Silverio dos Reis, farmer and mine owner, Colonel Commander of the Auxiliary Cavalry Regiment of Borda do Campo, decided to denounce the Inconfidentes.
It left Tirandes as a martyr, who spent a part of his life before death, here in Maranhao!
According to documents and research, he was buriedâ°ď¸ in the Church of Sao Joao, Center of Sao Luis. However, there are some disagreements as to what happened to his tomb later.
Cais da Sagracao: It took about 70 years to complete
The construction Cais da Sagracao, located in Sao Luisâ center, started in 1841. It was constructed in commemoration of D. Pedro IIâs coronation. However, it was only inaugurated in 1909, when the country was republic.
The were were multiple coronations in the city. The Brazilian Army, that was present here, organized itself to hold celebrations as well.
Sao Luis City: Know about the cityâs economy
Maranhaoâs economy was one of the most prosperous in the country, until the mid-nineteenth century! However, after the Civil War in the U.S.A., the state started declining.
Only after the end of the 1960s, the state started to receive incentives and even emerge from seclusion!
It even started strengthening its rail đ¤ď¸and road connections with other regions of the country.
Later, in the late eighteenth century, with the increased demand for cotton of the English textile industry, the city started prospering.
Another interesting fact is that Sao Luis City has the largest GDP in the state. Impressive, right??
The climate of Sao Luis: It is quite hot and semi-humid
Have you heard this surprising fact about the beautiful Sao Luis City?
Here, the climate can be characterized as hotâď¸, semi-humid, and even tropical of equatorial zone. It even has two distinct seasons that can go from damp During January to June and the drought during July to December.
Some areas of the city even receive around 2200 mm rainfall per year.
Sao Luis has a marginal dry-summer tropical savanna climate according to Koppen.
Also, the cloudiest month here is March with an average of 107.2 hours of bright sunshine per month. Also, the sunniest month is August.
Tambor de Crioula: Enjoy this unique dance of Sao Luis
Love to see various dance forms? Then you will surely love this amazing fact about Sao Luis City!
Tambor de Crioula is an Afro-Brazilian dance đ form. In thus gaily clad women cout a row of drums or a bateria of tambors!!
The whirl and gyrate in time with the music they negotiate for a good position in the bateriaâs center.
There is a museum called the House of Tambor de Crioula that is dedicated to preserve and spread the cultural manifestation.
The historical center of Sao Luis: It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
I am quite impressed to learn this wonderful fact about Sao Luis!!
The historical center of the city was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1997. It started in 1989, and there has been an extensive program to renovate and restore the building of colonial era of the historical center of Sao Luis City.
Sports in Sao Luis: Football is quite popular here
Love soccer?? Then just enjoy this interesting fact, like me!!
In the city of Sao Luis, Footballâ˝ is the most popular sport! Some of the professional clubs of the city are Moto Club, who play in the fourth division, Sampaio Correa, who recently play in the countryâs second division, and also Maranhao Atletico Club.
Transportation in Sao Luis: Know about the airport, buses and rail services of the city
Sao Luis is served by the Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport. âď¸ Also, there are around 184 bus lines that are operating. Those are served by a fleet of over 3000 buses.
Thus, over 500,000 citizens use the bust system every day!
Also, one of the countryâs inter-city rail services is by rail freight operator Vale. In the year 2019, it even carried 330,000 passengers!
Summing up
We hope! Knowing about the above Sao Luis facts will satisfy your curious đ soul!
From its interesting and rich history and attractive buildings to its amazing culture, what in Sao Luis City appeals to you the most?
As we are already together on this unforgettable journey, we would love to get your answer.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of two children) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids.