Guaporé, Rio Grande do Sul


Guaporé is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is the state's greatest jewelry and lingerie producer, ranking second in the country. The city was mainly colonized by Italian immigrants in the 19th century and still retains their traditions. The name comes from the Guaraní language and its meaning is disputed, most likely being Desert Valley.

History

The immigrant settlement that would eventually give birth to the city began in the early 19th century in the area that is the present-day municipality of Muçum, a smaller number of German cattle herders also established themselves in the area now known as São Valentim do Sul, both towns that used to be part of Guaporé.
In 1892 the colony of Guaporé was established, on area belonging to the cities of Lajeado and Passo Fundo. The colony's manager, Eng. José Montauri de Aguiar Leitão, designated to Eng. Vespasiano Corrêa the task of zoning and dividing the town's area in some 5000 shares of 0.25 to 0.30 km2. Soon after, settlers from the first Italian colonies in the state came to the newly formed town and, in 1896, the colony had already reached 7,000 inhabitants.
In 1897 the Santo Antônio Parish was created, under the Porto Alegre Diocese, being an important step the formation of a city in local culture. By 1900 the population had grown to 13,727. This success led to the formal establishment, on 11 December 1903, of the Municipality of Guaporé, with Eng. Vespasiano Rodrigues Corrêa as the first mayor, inaugurated on 1 January 1904.
By 1910, Guaporé had around 30,000 inhabitants, even more than today, with 1,020 living in the town center, which had over 170 buildings, a town square, telegraph, post office and church. Agriculture was the most important economical activity, the main crops being rice, beans, corn, soy, orange and vines. Furthermore, 82 businesses and a few industries were established by the time, producing aguardente, wine, cheese and lard.
Through the years, several districts emancipated from Guaporé, significantly reducing the city's area and population. Today, several municipalities make up what was once Guaporé, the largest being Casca, Muçum, Serafina Corrêa and Dois Lajeados, among many others.

The Immigrants

Upon their arrival, throughout the 19th century, the immigrants were devoid of anything of value and had to rely on their strong will and bold spirits to build a new life on a new land. With over a century gone by, the memory of these origins is still felt in the religious strength and willingness to work of the community. The religious passion is clearly seen in the numerous chapels on rural areas and the Central Church, built in Neogothic style between 1897 and 1947. The city also has a 13 m Christ statue placed on a 7 m pedestal on the city's tallest mountain.
In 1907, with the arrival of the Pasqualli family to the city, the industry that would become an economical backbone had its humble beginnings as they applied their goldsmith knowledge to become the first jewellers established in Guaporé.
Over a hundred years after its foundation, Guaporé has set itself as an important commercial, industrial, cultural and touristic centre for dozens of cities in the region.

Geography

Guaporé is located on the Serra Gaúcha a mountainous area of the north-eastern Rio Grande do Sul. The city center is at an altitude of 478 m above sea level, although some peaks reach the 700 m mark. It is situated between the highlands of the Planalto and lowlands of the Depressão Central and is composed of Igneous rock formed in the end of the Mesozoic Era. It is in an area of Basaltic Rock, that lay's upon layers of Arenite and Granite. The rivers Carreiro and Guaporé flow on the eastern and western borders of the city, respectively.

Climate

Due to its location, Guaporé is subject to a Humid subtropical climate, summers are cool and winters are moderately cold, with common occurrence of frost and occasional snowfall.

Statistics

Below are some available figures on the city's economy and life.
In addition to the Italian majority, there is significant presence of German and Polish descendants, as well as other European nationalities. Despite generations of foreign influence, those of Italian descent still maintain several traditions including the use of the Talian dialect, itself derived from the Venetian language, an Italian dialect. Furthermore, the cold winters gave rise to the tradition of gathering family and friends around wood-burning-stoves to eat pine nuts, chat and play cards. Typical Italian cousine is very common and served in any occasion. Hunting and fishing, once important sources of sustenance, have now become usual pastime sports.
The Gaucho culture has also found its way into peoples lives over time. Nowadays the tradition of drinking chimarrão is very widespread, and public celebrations of the Ragamuffin War are held every year in the central square, usually on the week leading up to the state holiday of September 20.

Tourism

The city has always attracted tourists from many places and for many different reasons, be it shopping tourism, racing enthusiasts, railway fans, religious people or even those simply attracted by the small town charm.
Main tourist attractions include:
Many locations are available to the population for practising sports and other leisure activities. Many football fields are spread throughout the city and many locals have some sort of countryside retreat for the weekends. Other sport and leisure options include: