Pirassununga is a municipality in the state of

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

, with an altitude of 627 meters. The population is 76,877 (2020 est.) in an area of 727 km². Situated in the southeast region of Brazil, the city is home to many important institutions, one being the

Brazilian Air Force Academy The Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA, ''Academia da Força Aérea'' in Portuguese language, Portuguese) is the Brazilian Air Force's educational institution that provides initial officer training for the main Officer Board of Brazil's Air Force ...

. All current and future officers of the Brazilian Air Force are trained here. Pirassununga is also home to Fort Anhaguera, which once hosted the 13th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment of the Brazilian army. In addition to being an important region for the Brazilian military, Pirassununga is a hub for the agriculture and environmental sciences of Brazil. The

University of São Paulo The University of São Paulo ( pt, Universidade de São Paulo, USP) is a public university in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It is the largest Brazilian public university and the country's most prestigious educational institution, the bes ...

's Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA), which translates to the College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, is located in the city. Pirassununga is also the location of CEPTA, the National Research and Conservation Center of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity, which is associated with the Chico Mendes Institute, an important research and conservation center in

Brasília Brasília (; ) is the federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. The city is located at the top of the Brazilian highlands in the country's Central-West region. It was founded by President Juscelino Kubitsche ...

, the capital of

History

Pirassununga was originally home to the

Tupi people A subdivision of the Tupi-Guarani linguistic families, the Tupi people were one of the largest groups of indigenous Brazilians before its colonization. Scholars believe that while they first settled in the Amazon rainforest, from about 2,900 ...

, an indigenous group in Brazil. They gave the city its name, which means "the sound of fish." Every December, the fish migrate upstream, causing loud sounds as they fight against the current.

Exports

Cachaça

Pirassununga is home to three sugar cane distilleries, Pirassununga 51

Cachaça ''Cachaça'' () is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. Also known as ''pinga'', ''caninha'', and other names, it is the most popular spirit among distilled alcoholic beverages in Brazil.Cavalcante, Messias Soares. Todos os n ...

, Cachaça Sapucaia and Pirassununga Cachaça. The most popular brand, Pirassununga 51 Cachaça, was founded in 1959, just one year after Brazil had won its first FIFA Soccer World Cup. Pirassununga 51 Cachaça became a household name in the country during the 70s. "51, uma boa ideia," which translates to "51, a good idea," soon became a phrase in popular culture. It wasn't until the 1990s that Pirassununga 51 Cachaça became an export to other parts of the world. Cachaça is used as the spirit of choice for

's national cocktail, the

caipirinha Caipirinha () is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça ( sugarcane hard liquor), sugar, and lime. The drink is prepared by mixing the fruit and the sugar together, then adding the liquor. This can be made in a single large glass to be ...

Tourist Spots

Waterfall Emas

Waterfall Emas serves as a

hydroelectric plant Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined an ...

to power the city of Pirassununga. In addition to supplying the city with electricity, it is a local fishing and boating destination. Houses can be rented nearby for fishermen to be near the water. Around Waterfall Emas, one can find many restaurants serving the local fish, dorado.

References

External links

Emas waterfall

Cachaça Ride - Tourism
Pirassununga {{SaoPauloState-geo-stub