Rio Grande do Sul
Located in the extreme south of the Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul is characterised by its quality of life and strong influence of Portuguese, German and Italian immigrants. Known for its cultural proximity with neighbours Argentina and Uruguay — from where, for example, the Gaucho barbecue emerged — the state has a diverse economy, with emphasis on agriculture, industry — especially steel and footwear — and services.
The capital, Porto Alegre, is most notable for its gastronomy, services infrastructure and busy cultural agenda. The city has hosted the 2009 South American Sailing Championship in the 470 Class; the 2008 South American Football Championship, and The Best Jump — International Jumping Competition of the City of Porto Alegre, held a few years ago in the city.
The gymnast Daiane dos Santos, a native of Porto Alegre, was the first Brazilian to win a gold medal at a World Championship, in 2003. Other natives of Rio Grande do Sul include goalie Maravilha, silver medallist in the 2004 Athens Olympics, and brothers Gustav and Murilo Endres, with victorious passages in the Brazilian National Volleyball Team — the first, a gold medal in Athens and a silver medal four years later in Beijing, while the other took part in a campaign in the Chinese capital.
Several of the main attractions of the state include the Lagoa dos Patos, the largest coastal lagoon in South America, and the Aparados da Serra National Park, where its impressive canyons offer various options for hiking. Main destinations in the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul are the Vale dos Vinhedos, the most important wine production pole of Brazil, and the cities of Gramado and Canela, famous for their gastronomic options and natural beauty. The cities of Pelotas and Rio Grande, with their typically Portuguese colonial architecture, tell the story of the state’s formation; and the ruins of the Jesuit missions in São Miguel das Missões are considered Historic and Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
