One of the most attractive and organized cities in Brazil, Curitiba is also a world-wide model in urbanism solutions, education and environment. The population of Curitiba numbers around 1.7 million inhabitants (7th largest nationwide) and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$18 billion (ranking 4th nationwide) according to IBGE.

Curitiba was established in the 17th century as a gold-mining camp, became the center of the State of Paraná in 1854 and grew quickly after 1940. Its 1.6 million inhabitants are a synthesis of numerous cultures of émigrés that arrived in the city during the 19th century and early 20th century.

City of different culture and of strong power from the European immigrants, this is principally noticed in the city’s architecture, gastronomy and religion. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Curitiba, erected in 1894, was motivated by that of Barcelona. Curitiba has become world renowned for its modern urban solutions, winning a UNESCO prize for its urban development. Its incorporated transport planning is conscientious for an useful infrastructure that makes bus travel fast and opportune.

The city possesses a temperate climate and an average altitude of 910 meters. The average temperature during the summers is 20°C, and during the winter, 12°C.