Recife | |
---|---|
Municipality of Recife | |
Skyline of Recife with Antônio Vaz Island and the bridges of the Historic Center Rio Branco Square Aurora Street | |
Nickname(s): Veneza Brasileira (Brazilian Venice), Capital of the Northeast and Mauricéia/Mauritsstad (after the Dutch colonisation) | |
Motto(s): | |
Coordinates: 8°3′S 34°54′W / 8.050°S 34.900°W | |
Country | Brazil |
Region | Northeast |
State | Pernambuco |
Founded | 12 March 1537 |
Incorporated (as village) | 1709 |
Incorporated (as city) | 1823 |
Government | |
• Mayor | João Henrique Campos (PSB) |
• Vice Mayor | Isabella de Roldão (PT) |
Area | |
218 km2 (84.17 sq mi) | |
• Metro | 2,768 km2 (1,068.7 sq mi) |
Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
Population (26/08/2024[1]) | |
1,653,461 (9th) | |
• Density | 6,803.6/km2 (18,537.9/sq mi) |
• Metro | 4,305,000 (6th) |
• Metro density | 1,352.5/km2 (3,527/sq mi) |
Demonym | Recifense |
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |
• Year | 2023 |
• Total (Metro) | $47.2 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $11,300 |
Time zone | UTC-03:00 (BRT) |
Postal code | 50000-001 to 52999-999 |
Area code | +55 81 |
HDI (2010) | 0.772 – high[3] |
Website | www |
Recife (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁeˈsifi] ) is the state capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is the largest urban area within both the North and the Northeast Region of Brazil. It is the largest city in Pernambuco state, and the fourth-largest urban area in all of Brazil; the metro population of the city of Recife was 3,726,974 in 2022.[4][5][6] Recife was founded in 1537, serving as the main harbor of the Captaincy of Pernambuco—known for its large-scale production of sugar cane.[7] At one point, it was known as Mauritsstad, when it served as the capital city of the 17th century colony of New Holland of Dutch Brazil (founded by the Dutch West India Company). Situated at the confluence of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers, before they drain into the South Atlantic Ocean, Recife is a major seaport along the Brazilian Atlantic coast. Its name is an allusion to the stone reefs that are present offshore. Together with the urban presence of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers and their tributaries, the many additional unique, small islands—and more than 50 bridges linking them throughout the city—create a distinct maritime or "riviera" atmosphere, leading to Recife being known as the "Venice of Brazil".
As of 2010[update], Recife has maintained the highest HDI of any state capital in Northeastern Brazil, and the second-highest of the entire Northern and Northeastern regions (second only to Palmas).[8] However, the city also is known as having some of the highest rates of gun violence in the entire country, despite also being considered the "safest state capital" in the Northeast. Although Recife often has a consistently higher crime rate than Brazil's South Region, it typically has a much lower crime rate than other regional capitals—such as Salvador or São Luís. Nonetheless, crime rose nearly 440% in 2015.[9] The waters along the coastline are also considered to be among the most dangerous "on earth", as there have been many recorded shark attacks on swimmers at the beaches, including fatal incidents.
The Metropolitan Region of Recife is the main industrial zone of the State of Pernambuco, major products are those derived from cane (sugar and ethanol), motor vehicles, ships, oil platforms, electronics, software, and others. With fiscal incentives by the government, many industrial companies were started in the 1970s and 1980s. Recife has a tradition of being the most important commercial hub of the North/Northeastern region of Brazil, with more than 52,500 business enterprises in Recife plus 32,500 in the Metro Area, totaling more than 85,000.[10]
A combination of a large supply of labor and significant private investments turned Recife into Brazil's second largest medical hub (the first being São Paulo);[11] modern hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment receive patients from several neighbouring States.[12][13]
Recife stands out as a major tourist site within the Brazilian Northeast, known for the city itself, its beaches and for its historical sites, with many places of significance dating back to both the Portuguese and the Dutch colonies in the region. The beach of Porto de Galinhas, located 60 kilometers (37 mi) south of the city, has been repeatedly awarded the title of best beach in Brazil and has drawn many tourists. The Historic Centre of Olinda, 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) north of the city, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, and both cities' Brazilian Carnival are among the world's most famous. According to The Herald, Recife has the biggest consumption of whisky around the world.[14]
The city is an education hub, and home to the Federal University of Pernambuco, the largest university in Pernambuco. Several Brazilian historical figures, such as the poet and abolitionist Castro Alves, moved to Recife for their studies. Recife and Natal are the only Brazilian cities with direct flights to the islands of Fernando de Noronha, a World Heritage Site.[15]
Recife was one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and previously hosted the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 1950 FIFA World Cup.