São José do Rio Preto () is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

in the

state of São Paulo State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

. It is located in the northwestern region of the state, approximately from the city of

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

and from

Brasília Brasília ( ; ) is the capital city, capital of Brazil and Federal District (Brazil), Federal District. Located in the Brazilian highlands in the country's Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region, it was founded by President Juscelino ...

. With a population of 469,173 inhabitants as of the 2021 census, it is the 11th largest city in São Paulo and the 36th largest in Brazil. The city was founded in 1852 and has a rich history closely tied to commercial activities, service provision, and agriculture. São José do Rio Preto is the principal city of the

Mesoregion of São José do Rio Preto The Mesoregion of São José do Rio Preto is one of the 15 mesoregions of the São Paulo state, Brazil. It is located at the north/northwest portion of the state, and has an area of 29,394.7 km². The mesoregion has a population of 1,569,22 ...

, which has a population of 1,569,220. In 2020, the

Microregion of São José do Rio Preto The Microregion of São José do Rio Preto () is located in the northern part of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and comprises 29 municipalities. It is a part of the Mesoregion of São José do Rio Preto. The microregion has a population of 763,5 ...

had a population of 763,534. The city celebrates its anniversary on the same day as

Saint Joseph's Day Saint Joseph's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Joseph or the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, is in Western Christianity the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus Christ, celebrated on 19 March. ...

History

Prior to the 19th century, the region of São José do Rio Preto was inhabited by the

Kaingang The Kaingang people are an Indigenous peoples in Brazil, Indigenous Brazilian ethnic group spread out over the three southern Brazilian states of Paraná (state), Paraná, Santa Catarina (state), Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul and the sout ...

indigenous population. Over time, their numbers gradually declined as a result of migration, exploratory expeditions known as "

bandeiras ''Bandeirantes'' (; ; singular: ''bandeirante'') were settlers in colonial Brazil who participated in expeditions to expand the colony's borders and subjugate indigenous peoples during the early modern period. They played a major role in exp ...

" and intermixing with other groups. The city was established on March 19, 1852, by João Bernardino de Seixas Ribeiro, an immigrant from

Minas Gerais Minas Gerais () is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil, being the fourth largest state by area and the second largest in number of inhabitants with a population of 20,539,989 according to the 2022 Brazilian census, 2022 census. Located in ...

. The local farmer, Luiz Antônio da Silveira, generously contributed a portion of his land to establish the new city as a tribute to the patron saint,

Saint Joseph According to the canonical Gospels, Joseph (; ) was a 1st-century Jewish man of Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus. Joseph is venerated as Saint Joseph in the Catholic Church, Eastern O ...

. São José do Rio Preto was officially founded in 1894, and the territory ceased to be a part of

Jaboticabal Jaboticabal is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population is 77,652 (2020 est.) in an area of 707 km2. The town takes its name from the '' jabuticaba'' tree. The municipality is formed by the headquarters and the distr ...

. The railway reached the city in 1912 following the expansions of the Araraquarense Railway (Estrada de Ferro Araraquara). Upon completion, the railway played a crucial role in the development of São José do Rio Preto. The city served as a commercial hub for the region's inhabitants, as well as a center for the storage and transportation of goods between the region and the city of

Toponym

The name São José do Rio Preto, is derived from the combination of the words "São José" and "Rio Preto", which translates literally as "Saint Joseph of the Black River". São José, refers to Saint Joseph, who is the city's patron saint, and Rio Preto, translates to "black river", which is the appellation given to the local river that runs through the city. Between 1906 and 1944, the city was known by the toponym Rio Preto. In 1944, a proposal was made to change the name to Iboruna, signifying "Black River" in the

Tupi language Old Tupi, Ancient Tupi or Classical Tupi () is a classical Tupian language which was spoken by the indigenous Tupi people of Brazil, mostly those who inhabited coastal regions in South and Southeast Brazil. In the words of Brazilian tupinol ...

, but this proposal did not materialize.

Geography

São José do Rio Preto is located in northwest of the state of

in a region between the rivers Grande, Paraná and Tietê. The ecological makeup of the region blends elements of the

Cerrado The Cerrado () is a vast ecoregion of Tropics, tropical savanna in central Brazil, being present in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, Bahia, Minas Gerais, São Paulo (state), São Paulo, Paraná ...

(Brazilian savanna) with remnants of the Atlantic Forest. In terms of topography, the area is characterized by gently rolling terrain, with an average elevation of .

Climate

The climate in São José do Rio Preto is classified as

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

( Aw), characterized by hot and rainy summers, as well as mild and dry winters. The average annual temperature is around . The city typically receives an average annual precipitation ranging from . In 2008, the recorded rainfall reached .

Neighborhoods

*North:

Ipiguá Ipiguá is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The population is 5,476 (2020 est.) in an area of 136 km². Ipiguá is located 20 km from São José do Rio Preto. The municipality belongs to the Microregion of São José do Rio ...

and Onda Verde *South: Cedral and Bady Bassitt *East: Guapiaçu *West:

Mirassol Mirassol is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The city is located in the northern part of the state, 453 km from the city of São Paulo and 15 km from São José do Rio Preto. Mirassol has 60,303 inhabitants (IBGE/2020). ...

Districts

* South side: Engenheiro Schmitt * Extreme North side: Talhado

Economy

The service sector is the main economy of São José do Rio Preto representing 84,53% of the total income and followed by the industry (15,19%). In 2020, the gross value of São José do Rio Preto's economy reached R$18.7 billion reais, making it the 53rd largest economy in Brazil. Over the years, the city has diversified and emerged as a regional hub, hosting medical centers, educational institutions, parks, concert venues, and shopping centers. The industrial complex in São José do Rio Preto comprises three industrial districts and thirteen mini-districts, with the primary employers being small and medium-sized businesses, totaling 75 companies. Agriculture and livestock make up a negligible portion of the GDP, accounting for less than 1%. The primary agricultural products in the region include sugarcane, rubber, oranges, and maize.

Demographics

According to the Brazilian Human Development Index ( HDI), São José do Rio Preto was classified as having a high level of development in 2010, with a value of 0.797. This ranking places it at the 50th position out of 5,565 municipalities in Brazil, and 27th out of 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo.

Religion

The city is home to the ''Diocese of São José do Rio Preto'', a local heritage site situated at the same location where the first chapel was built in 1852. The cathedral serves as the epicenter of the city and houses various artworks, including a sculpture of Saint Joseph dating back to the 19th century. According to the 2010 census, the city's population consists of the following religious affiliations:

Roman Catholics The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

(58.7%), Brazilian Protestants (23.79%), Spiritists (6.81%), individuals with no religious affiliation (5.57%),

Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses is a Christian denomination that is an outgrowth of the Bible Student movement founded by Charles Taze Russell in the nineteenth century. The denomination is nontrinitarian, millenarian, and restorationist. Russell co-fou ...

(1.47%),

Atheists Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...

(0.38%), members of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian restorationist Christian denomination and the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. Founded durin ...

(0.18%),

Buddhists Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or 5th century BCE. It is the world's fourth ...

(0.18%), practitioners of

Umbanda Umbanda () is a religion that emerged in Brazil during the 1920s. Deriving largely from Kardecist spiritism, Spiritism, it also combines elements from African diasporic religions, Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé as well as Roman Catho ...

and

Candomblé Candomblé () is an African diaspora religions, African diasporic religion that developed in Brazil during the 19th century. It arose through a process of syncretism between several of the traditional religions of West and Central Africa, especi ...

(0.17%),

Eastern Orthodox Christians Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism. Like the Pentarchy of the first millenni ...

(0.07%), and

Jews Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

(0.03%).

Public Security

In 2018, São José do Rio Preto experienced its highest number of homicides in 16 years, with 45 recorded murders compared to 47 in 2002. The following year, in 2019, the number of homicides decreased to 24 but then increased to 30 in the subsequent year. On the other hand, the number of robberies saw a slight decrease in 2020, with 968 reported cases compared to 1,258 in the previous year.

Indicators

* Total Population: 469,173 (2021) * Number of Households: 137,233 (2010) * Area (2020): * Urban Area: * Population Density (2020): * Urbanization Rate: 93.9% (2010) * Sex Ratio (Males to Females): 92.58 (2012) * Birth Rate: 12.63 per 1,000 inhabitants (2011) * Infant Mortality Rate: 7.11 per 1,000 births (2011) * Literacy Rate: 96.8% (2010) * Number of Vehicles: 405,608 (2020)

Culture

Music

The Symphony Orchestra of São José do Rio Preto (Orquestra sinfônica de São José do Rio Preto is a non-profit organization founded in 1942 and holds the distinction of being the oldest orchestra in the city. It has also been recognized as a historical heritage.

Literature

The São Jose do Rio Preto Public Library (Dr. Fernando Costa) currently houses approximately 46,000 volumes. It was officially inaugurated in 1943.

Theater

The city is host to several local concert venues, including the Primitivist Art Museum (MAP), Naif - Art Museum, the Public Archive, the Municipal Theater (Humberto Sinibaldi Neto), and the Municipal Theater: Paulo Moura, among others. Additionally, São José do Rio Preto is known for hosting cultural events such as the International Theater Festival (FIT) and the Book Biennial (Bienal do Livro).

Parque da Represa

The São José do Rio Preto Urban Linear Park is located in the western part of the city. It was established in 1955 with the aim of enhancing the water supply and conserving the natural environment along the banks of the Black River. In 2011, new trails and a bike path were added, spanning the entire length of the park. Presently, the park boasts over 10,000 native species of local fauna, as well as kiosks and free outdoor gym equipment.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

São José do Rio Preto is host to eight general medical hospitals, comprising one public, four private, and three philanthropic institutions. In 2009, the city accommodated a total of 157 medical facilities, including 124 private hospitals with a combined capacity of 1,611 beds, and 33 public hospitals with a total capacity of 28 beds.

Education

''Hospital de Base'' ('' Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto'') is recognized as the second largest teaching hospital in Brazil. As of 2010, it employed a workforce of 860 physicians and 4,100 staff members, providing medical care to approximately 3,500 inpatients per month across its 708 beds. Serving a population of around 1.5 million residents in 101 municipalities, the hospital has gained renown for its successful transplant procedures, having conducted 292 transplants in 2010. Additionally, catering specifically to the healthcare needs of children, the Hospital da Criança e Maternidade (HCM) was established in 2013 and is located within the FAMERP campus, standing as the largest pediatric hospital in Brazil with 255 beds. In 2018, primary schools in São José do Rio Preto reported a total enrollment of 48,200 students, while secondary schools recorded 15,335 enrollments. The year 2017 witnessed a total of 27,352 enrollments in higher education institutions. The city is supported by a network of 36 public schools and 51 private schools, providing education from preschool to secondary levels. Furthermore, the municipality operates 153 public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. São José do Rio Preto is also home to two public universities: IBILCE (specializing in biosciences, languages, and exact sciences), and FATEC (which offers programs in technology). Additionally, the city houses a significant number of for-profit educational institutions. In São José do Rio Preto there are also several faculties, university centers and private universities, among them, th
Centro Universitário do Norte de São Paulo - UNORTE
which is one of the most traditional in the city, founded in 1972, it is authorized by the Ministry of Education to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in all areas of knowledge, both on-site and at a distance. private universities

Transportation

Bus

There are 2 companies operating the public transit system in the municipality with 230 buses on 80 different routes: ''Circular Santa Luzia'', and ''Itamarati''.

Rail

Rumo Logística Rumo, formerly known as América Latina Logística (ALL), is a Brazilian logistic company, mainly focused in the railway line logistics in Brazil, being the largest company in Latin America in this segment. The company also provides transportati ...

currently operates the freight transport services in São José do Rio Preto.

Air

São José do Rio Preto Airport provides commercial flights operated by three airlines, connecting to various destinations including São Paulo, Campinas, Guarulhos, Cuiabá, and Porto Seguro.

Roads

* SP-310 (

Washington Luís Washington Luís Pereira de Sousa (; 26 October 1869 – 4 August 1957) was a Brazilian politician who served as the 13th president of Brazil. Elected governor of São Paulo state in 1920 and president of Brazil in 1926, Washington Luís belonge ...

- State highway) -

() *

BR-153 BR-153 is a major federal highway of Brazil, officially named the Transbrasiliana Highway. It also serves as part of the Belém–Brasília Highway in the stretch located between the cities of Wanderlândia, in the state of Tocantins, and A ...

( Transbrasiliana - Federal highway) -

() * SP-425 (

Assis Chateaubriand Francisco de Assis Chateaubriand Bandeira de Melo (pronounced ), also nicknamed Chatô (October 4, 1892 – April 4, 1968), was a Brazilian lawyer, journalist, politician and diplomat. He was founder and director of the prominent media conglomer ...

- State highway) - Presidente Prudente () * SP-427 (Délcio Custódio da Silva - State highway) - Mirassolândia ()

Media

Three daily newspapers are circulated in São José do Rio Preto: ''Diário da Região'' and ''Bom Dia''. São José do Rio Preto serves as the headquarters for '' Rede Vida'', a Brazilian broadcast television network. Rede Vida offers a diverse range of programming, catering to various interests and demographics. Its content includes Catholic-oriented shows such as TV masses, novenas, and rosaries, as well as news programs, variety shows, sports coverage, and more. The channel reaches audiences throughout Brazil via its affiliates and satellite services, covering a significant portion of the country. In telecommunications, the city was served by Telecomunicações de São Paulo. In July 1998, this company was acquired by Telefónica, which adopted the Vivo brand in 2012. The company is currently an operator of cell phones, fixed lines, internet (fiber optics/4G) and television (satellite and cable).

Sports

The city is the home of two football clubs, namely ''América Futebol Clube'' and '' Rio Preto Esporte Clube''. América Futebol Clube typically plays their matches at the Teixeirão Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 32,000 people. Rio Preto Esporte Clube competes at the Anisio Haddad Stadium (Rio Pretão) with a capacity of 17,000. São José do Rio Preto is also the base of the ''Rio Preto Weilers'', an

American football American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron football, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular American football field, field with goalposts at e ...

team. Established in 2010 by a group of passionate enthusiasts, their aim was to promote the sport in the city and other regions of Brazil. The Weilers participate in the Liga BFA - Elite, and have already secured two national titles and one state title. Moreover, the team actively supports alternative sports groups for individuals with disabilities, including

wheelchair basketball Wheelchair basketball is a style of basketball played using a sports wheelchair. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the governing body for this sport. It is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as ...

, and swimming. These groups consist of members from the philanthropic organization ''Clube Amigos dos Deficientes'' (Friends of the Disabled Club), who also compete at the national level.

International relations

São José do Rio Preto has established twinning relationships with: *

Nantong Nantong is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Jiangsu province, China. Located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, near the river mouth. Nantong is a vital river port bordering Yancheng to the north; Taizhou to the west; Suzhou, Wux ...

Jiangsu Jiangsu is a coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its capital in Nanjing. Jiangsu is the List of Chinese administra ...

–

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

Notable people

* Rogério Galloro (born 1970) - former Director-General of the Federal Police of Brazil

References

External links

*
City Hall's Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sao Jose Do Rio Preto 1852 establishments in Brazil Populated places established in the 19th century Municipalities in São Paulo (state)