Rio Grande do Sul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Flag	Coat of arms

Motto(s):

Liberdade, Igualdade, Humanidade (Portuguese)
"Liberty, Equality, Humanity"

Anthem: Hino Rio-Grandense

Location of State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil

Country

Brazil

Capital and largest city

Porto Alegre

Area

• Total

281,748 km² (108,784 sq mi)

Area rank

9th

Population

(2012)

• Total

10,770,603

• Rank

5th

• Density

38.22779/km² (99.00952/sq mi)

• Density rank

13th

Demonym(s)

Gaúcho or Sul-rio-grandense

GDP

• Year

2008 estimate

• Total

R$ 199,499,000,000 (4th)

• Per capita

R$ 18.378,17 (6th)

HDI

• Year

2005

• Category

0.832 – high (4th)

Time zone

UTC-3 (BRT)

• Summer (DST)

UTC-2 (BRST)

Postal Code

90000-000 to 99990-000

ISO 3166 code

BR-RS

Website

rs.gov.br

Rio Grande do Sul is a state in Brazil. It is located in the southern part of the country. This state shares borders with Uruguay to the south and Argentina to the west. Its capital city is Porto Alegre. About 10 million people call Rio Grande do Sul home. The state covers a large area of about 282,000 square kilometers.

States of Brazil
Acre \| Alagoas \| Amapá \| Amazonas \| Bahia \| Ceará \| Espírito Santo \| Goiás \| Maranhão \| Mato Grosso \| Mato Grosso do Sul \| Minas Gerais \| Pará \| Paraíba \| Paraná \| Pernambuco \| Piauí \| Rio de Janeiro \| Rio Grande do Norte \| Rio Grande do Sul \| Rondônia \| Roraima \| Santa Catarina \| São Paulo \| Sergipe \| Tocantins
Federal District: Brazilian Federal District

Exploring Rio Grande do Sul
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Rio Grande do Sul

Rio Grande do Sul is known for its beautiful landscapes. You can find everything from mountains to beaches here. The state has a unique mix of cultures. This comes from its history of different immigrant groups.

Geography and Nature

The state has diverse natural areas. You can see tall Araucaria trees in the mountains. There are also wide open grasslands, called Pampas. These areas are home to animals like the Pampas deer.

Amazing Waterfalls and Canyons

Rio Grande do Sul is home to some incredible natural wonders. The Yacumã Falls are found in the Turvo State Park. They are the second widest waterfalls in the world! You can also visit the stunning Canyon Fortaleza. It is located in the Aparados da Serra National Park.

Mountain Peaks and Snowfall

The highest mountain in the state is Pico do Monte Negro. In some cities, like Caxias do Sul and Gramado, it even snows sometimes. This is unusual for Brazil, which is mostly a warm country.

Rich History and Culture

Rio Grande do Sul has a fascinating past. Many different groups of people have helped shape its culture. This includes native peoples, Portuguese, and immigrants from Europe.

Historic Towns and Revolutions

You can visit the historic town of São Miguel das Missões. It has old ruins that tell stories of the past. The state also played a big role in the Farroupilha Revolution. This was a fight for independence in the 1800s.

Immigrant Heritage

Many immigrants came to Rio Grande do Sul. German and Italian families settled here in the 19th century. They built new towns and brought their traditions. You can still see their influence in the architecture and festivals today. For example, the town of Nova Petrópolis shows German style. There is also a monument in Porto Alegre honoring immigrants from the Azores.

Economy and Products

Rio Grande do Sul is an important state for Brazil's economy. It produces many different goods.

Farming and Agriculture

Farming is a big part of the state's economy. You can see large fields of soybeans. Rice farming is also very common. The state is also known for its sheep and cattle farming.

Wine Production

Rio Grande do Sul is the biggest wine producer in Brazil. Many vineyards are found in areas like Bento Gonçalves. You can even visit wineries and learn about how wine is made. This is a popular activity called Enotourism.

Industry and Business

The state also has important industries. Marcopolo S.A. is a big company that makes buses. Its main office is in Caxias do Sul. There are also food companies like Neugebauer.

Green Energy

Rio Grande do Sul is a leader in green energy. The Osório wind farm is the largest wind power park in Latin America. This means it uses wind to create electricity.

Getting Around the State

The state has good ways to travel. There are airports in Porto Alegre and Caxias do Sul. Highways like BR-116 help people drive across the state.

Fun Festivals and Food

The people of Rio Grande do Sul love their traditions. They have many festivals and unique foods.

Grape Festival

The Grape Festival in Caxias do Sul is a big event. It celebrates the state's wine production. People enjoy grapes, wine, and local culture.

Delicious Local Meals

A typical meal in Rio Grande do Sul often includes wine, bread, and cheese. You might also find pasta with beef and salami. This shows the mix of cultures in the state's food.

Beautiful Beaches and Lakes

The state has lovely beaches, like Guarita Beach in Torres. There are also beautiful lakes, such as Lago Negro (Dark Lake) in Gramado. These places are great for relaxing and enjoying nature.

Images for kids

Araucaria in the Mountains Region of Rio Grande do Sul
Pampas deer
Yacumã Falls in the Turvo State Park are the second widest in the world.
Pico do Monte Negro is the highest mountain in the state.
Canyon Fortaleza at the Aparados da Serra National Park.
Snow in Caxias do Sul.
The historic town of São Miguel das Missões
Rebel Cavalry during the Farroupilha Revolution.
Giuseppe Garibaldi leading the Riograndense navy to Laguna. Painting by Lucílio de Albuquerque, 1916.
Declaration of the Baron of Caxias announcing the end of the Revolution Farroupilha, 1845. National Archives of Brazil
A German School in Estrela, 1866.
Italian Immigrants in Rio Grande do Sul, late 19th century.
A German Protestant school for girls in Novo Hamburgo, 1886.
A 19th-century house built by Italian immigrants in Caxias do Sul
Kerb by Pedro Weingärtner, 1892. The work portrays a typical German festival in a rural community.
German architecture in Nova Petrópolis.
Monument in Porto Alegre to honor the Azorean immigrants
The town of Gramado has occasional snowfalls.
Guardian Angel Cathedral in Santo Ângelo.
Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul
A winery in Bento Gonçalves. Rio Grande do Sul is the biggest wine producer in Brazil.
Sheep Farming in Rio Grande do Sul
Soybean plantation in Novo Barreiro.
Cattle in Rio Grande do Sul
Vineyards in Flores da Cunha
Neugebauer's headquarters in Arroio do Meio.
Marcopolo S.A. is a global bus and coach manufacturer with headquarters in Caxias do Sul.
The Osório wind farm is the largest wind power park in Latin America.
Rice farming in Mariana Pimentel
Sunset at Salgado Filho International Airport.
Caxias do Sul Airport.
BR-116 Highway in Ivoti.
Grape Festival in Caxias do Sul
A typical meal in Rio Grande do Sul with wine, bread, cheese, pasta with beef and salami.
Guarita Beach in Torres.
Lago Negro (dark lake) in Gramado.
Enotourism in Bento Gonçalves.