The region of Curitiba initially called Campos de Curytiba began to be populated around the year 1630 by inhabitants who came from Paranaguá, where gold had been discovered.
The town of Nossa Senhora da Luz e Bom Jesus dos Pinhais was elevated to a village in the year 1693. Many inhabitants moved to Minas Gerais in search of the mineral resources of that area.
For a long time, the village was part of the Cattle Route that went from the fields of Viamão in Rio Grande do Sul, to Sorocaba in the State of São Paulo.
The economic development of Curitiba began with the exploitation and export of yerba mate, and it was considered a city in 1842.
Since 1867, Curitiba begins to receive waves of immigrants, mostly Poles and Italians.
During the 20th century, the city experienced a large demographic increase and consolidated itself as a regional center of commerce and services, becoming one of the richest cities in Brazil and a pioneer in urban solutions.
Curitiba as Capital of Brazil
After the 1964 coup, President Artur da Costa e Silva temporarily transferred the seat of executive power to the Iguaçu Palace, making Curitiba the symbolic capital of Brazil between March 24 and 27, 1969.
See more about how to get to Curitiba
See also information on São Paulo.
