Central Zone of São Paulo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Central Zone of São Paulo Zona Central
Location of Central Zone of São Paulo
Country	Brazil
State	São Paulo
City	São Paulo
Subprefectures	Central Zone Sé
Area
• Total	8 km2 (3.2 sq mi)

The Central Zone (in Portuguese: Zona Central de São Paulo) is a very important area in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. It's like the main hub for business and shopping in the city.

This area is one of the biggest commercial and business centers in South America. It is managed by the subprefecture of Sé. People sometimes confuse it with other areas like Centro Expandido (Expanded Center) or Centro Histórico de São Paulo (São Paulo Historic Center). The Centro Histórico is just the oldest part of the central region.

What is the Central Zone?

Officially, the Central Zone has clear boundaries around the districts of the Municipality Cathedral. But for many people, the "center of São Paulo" can include other parts of the city. For example, it used to include the Brás and Pari districts. Sometimes, even financial areas like Paulista Avenue are considered part of the wider "center."

People and Life in the Central Zone

The Central Zone is home to about 374,002 people, based on the 2000 census. This includes districts like Sé, Bela Vista, Bom Retiro, and Liberdade. Even though it's the least populated administrative region in São Paulo, it has many public services and job opportunities.

Over the years, the population in the central area has slowly decreased. This means fewer people live there now than before. However, the Central Zone is very well-connected by public transportation. It has four of the five Metrô subway lines and several CPTM commuter train lines.

This area also has many important universities and colleges. These include Mackenzie University, the Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation (FAAP), and parts of the University of São Paulo (USP).

Famous Places in the Central Zone

The Central Zone is full of interesting places to see and visit.

Shopping Light by night

São João Avenue

Paulista Avenue

Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue

Praça da Sé

Luz Station

Júlio Prestes Station

São Paulo Museum of Art

Mário de Andrade Library

Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo

Theatro Municipal

Vale do Anhangabaú

Padre Manuel da Nobrega square

Chá viaduct

Central Zone of São Paulo.

Important Bridges and Roads

• Chá Viaduct
• Santa Ifigênia Viaduct
• Anhangabaú Square

Main Avenues and Streets

• Prestes Maia Avenue
• Tiradentes Avenue
• Brigadeiro Luís Antônio Avenue
• Liberdade Avenue
• Estado Avenue
• São João Avenue
• Ipiranga Avenue
• Rio Branco Avenue
• 23 de Maio Avenue
• 9 de Julho Avenue
• Angélica Avenue
• Paulista Avenue
• Conselheiro Furtado Street
• 15 de Novembro Street
• Rua 25 de Março
• Porto Geral Alley
• Consolação Street
• Augusta Street
• Maria Antonia Street
• Dona Veridiana Street
• Higienópolis Avenue
• Carmo Street
• Vergueiro Street

Famous Squares

• Praça da Sé
• Praça da República
• Praça Doutor João Mendes
• Praça Ramos de Azevedo
• Pátio do Colégio
• Largo do Arouche
• Largo São Bento
• Largo do Paiçandu
• Largo de São Francisco
• Largo da Misericórdia

Metro and Train Stations

• Metro Stations
  • Line 1 (Blue)
    • Vergueiro
    • São Joaquim
    • Liberdade
    • Sé
    • São Bento
    • Luz
    • Tiradentes
    • Armênia
  • Line 2 (Green)
    • Consolação
    • Trianon-Masp
    • Brigadeiro
  • Line 3 (Red)
    • Pedro II
    • Sé
    • Anhangabaú
    • República
    • Santa Cecília
    • Marechal Deodoro
  • Line 4 (Yellow)
    • Luz
    • República
    • Higienópolis-Mackenzie
    • Paulista
• CPTM commuter railway stations
  • Line 7 (Ruby), Line 10 (Turquoise) and Line 11 (Coral)
    • Luz
  • Line 8 (Diamond)
    • Júlio Prestes

Shopping Centers

• Shopping Light
• Shopping Frei Caneca
• Shopping Paulista
• Shopping Pátio Higienópolis

Parks

• Jardim da Luz
• Parque da Aclimação
• Parque Dom Pedro II

Colleges and Universities

• Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo – Fundação Getúlio Vargas (EAESP/FGV)
• Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
• Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo (FDUSP) – USP
• Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP)
• Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia – Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo – (CCET/PUC-SP)
• Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP)
• Escola da Cidade (AEAUSP)
• Liceu de Artes e Ofícios de São Paulo (LAO-SP)
• Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo (FATEC-SP)
• Conservatório Dramático e Musical de São Paulo (CDMSP)
• Universidade Livre de Música – Centro de Estudos Musicais Tom Jobim

Hospitals

• Hospital Samaritano
• Hospital Santa Catarina
• Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (ISCMSP)
• Hospital Nove de Julho
• Hospital Sírio-Libanês
• Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz
• Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo

Culture and Fun Places

• Mário de Andrade Library
• Theatro Municipal
• São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)
• Museum of the Portuguese Language
• Sala São Paulo
• Pinacoteca do Estado
• Museu de Arte Saca
• Sociedade Brasileira de Cultura Japonesa

Rivers

• Tamanduateí River

Tall Buildings

The Central Zone has many tall and impressive buildings. Here are some of the major ones:

Great Views

The Torre Banespa (Banespa Tower) on top of the Altino Arantes Building and the Edifício Itália are amazing places to visit. They offer incredible views of São Paulo, letting you see up to 40 kilometers away! You can spot other famous landmarks like the Mercado Municipal, the São Paulo Cathedral, Edifício Copan, and even the distant Serra da Cantareira mountains. The Mirante do Vale Building, finished in 1960, is actually the tallest building in Brazil, even if it's not as well-known for its views.

Panorama

A wide view of buildings in the central zone of São Paulo.

See also

In Spanish: Zona Central de São Paulo para niños

• Central Business Districts
• List of central business districts
• São Paulo