Petrópolis
Petrópolis (Portuguese: [peˈtɾɔpolis, -pu-]), also known as The Imperial City, is a municipality in the Southeast Region of Brazil. It is located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, 68 kilometres (42 mi) northeast of the city of Rio de Janeiro. According to the 2010 National Brazilian Census, Petrópolis municipality had 295,917 inhabitants that year, an increase from the 286,537 inhabitants at the previous census. Besides being the largest and most populous city in the Fluminense Mountain Region, the city also has the largest GDP and HDI in the region.
Petrópolis | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Petrópolis | |
From upper left: skyline of downtown, city's Cathedral, Imperial Museum, Imperador street, Crystal Palace and Quitandinha Palace. | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: The Imperial City | |
| Motto(s): "Altiora Semper Petens" (Latin for "Always seeking higher things") | |
Location of Petrópolis in the state of Rio de Janeiro | |
Petrópolis Location of Petrópolis in Brazil | |
| Coordinates: 22°30′18″S 43°10′44″W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Southeast |
| State | Rio de Janeiro |
| Founded | 16 March 1843 |
| Named for | Pedro II of Brazil |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | Hingo Hammes (DEM) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 795.798 km2 (307.259 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 838 m (2,749 ft) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 306,678 |
| • Rank | 90th |
| • Density | 384.42/km2 (995.6/sq mi) |
| Demonym | petropolitano |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (BRT) |
| Postal Code | 25680-000 |
| Area code | +55 24 |
| HDI (2010) | 0,745 – high (UNDP) |
| Website | www.petropolis.rj.gov.br |
The town's name ("City of Peter") honors Pedro II, the last Emperor of Brazil, who is entombed there at the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara. The city was the summer residence of the Brazilian Emperors and aristocrats in the 19th century, and was the official capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro during the First Brazilian Republic, between 1894 and 1902.
There are projects to annex Petrópolis again to the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, because it is linked to the capital by political and economic ties and contains one of the state's highest HDIs.