Ribeirao Preto Travel Guide, Brazil

Ribeirao, Preto: The Brazilian California City 

A city and municipality in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ribeirao Preto is also known as Brazilian California. This name was given to the city because its economy is based on agriculture as the main factor and using high technology, wealth and sunny weather as its components. Being the fourth largest municipality in the state, Rebeirao Preto has more than 550,000 inhabitants. The city has a total area of 652, 2 km2.

Ribeirao Preto in Portuguese  means black creek. The reason for choosing this name is because the city was laid by a stream which is called Black Creek. Because of the good climate and fertile soil in the city, farmers started cultivating crops and reached the highest crop productivity in Brazil.  

The farmers started to grow coffee on the soils of Ribeirao Preto and because of the good harvest, coffee cultivation brought both wealth and progress to the city making it the largest coffee producer in the world. This was the first economic success of the city.  Unfortunately, concentrating on single crop and being dependent on coffee alone, the city experienced a downfall in economic progress.

Ribeirao Preto had a second economic success through sugarcane and alcohol. People learned a lot from their first economic downfall that is the reason why they are no longer concentrating on a single crop but   concentrate on improving all other crops as well. Ribeirao Preto is now considered the largest alcohol and sugar producer of the world and this is because of the high productivity of the land around the city.

 Because of sugarcane, Ribeirao Preto was able to prosper again increasing the wealth and income of its inhabitants. This is the reason why Ribeirao Preto is named Brazilian California. Aside from sugar and alcohol, major products from Ribeirao Preto are orange juice, rice, dairy products, meats, textiles, machineries, furniture and steel, building materials, pharmaceuticals and beer.

 Because of the hot climate, people love to go out in the evenings and spend a cold and relaxing night in bars.

Speaking of beer, the best draft beer is served in Pinguim bar which is located in shopping malls in Ribeirao Preto. Ribeirao Preto has become very successful in draft beer. It has also become their symbol. Whenever you have the chance to visit Ribeirao Preto, don’t forget to visit bars in the city and taste the best draft beer in the world.