Were those mountains always there? The Serra do Itaberaba or Gil Mountains stand tall. They watch over the landscape. Before Europeans arrived, the Maracás Indians lived here. They were part of the Tapuias subgroup. These Indians were known as strong fighters. It is said that they were not cannibals.
Let’s journey back to 1768. Captain Manuel Rodrigues Cajado established the São Simão farmstead. This area is more recently known for pineapples. Imagine the sweet scent of pineapples filling the air. Itaberaba’s climate is tropical. The mean daily maximum temperature reaches 33.7°C in February. That’s about 92.7°F. In July, it cools down to 28.4°C or 83.1°F. The daily mean temperature varies. It ranges from 22.1°C to 26.8°C.
S\u00e3o Paulo state borders the Atlantic Ocean. It is a key part of Brazil’s Southeast region. This region is the most developed and populous. The state is economically productive. It accounts for over one-fifth of Brazil’s population. S\u00e3o Paulo produces more than half of the country’s manufactures. Coffee is a leading crop. Most of the population lives in urban areas. The capital, S\u00e3o Paulo, is Brazil’s largest city.
The coast stretches 370 miles. That’s about 600 km. Lagoons and tidal channels break up the narrow coastal zone. The Serra do Mar slopes down here. The plateau sits 1,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level. Isolated ranges break the surface. The land slopes toward the Paran\u00e1 River. This river marks the state’s western boundary.
The Paran\u00e1 River and its tributaries flow westward. The Tietê River crosses the entire state. The Paraíba do Sul River flows northeast. It meanders across a wide floodplain. This area is used for rice production.
The average temperature on the coast is 68°F. That is 20°C. Annual precipitation is about 79 inches. That’s 2,007 mm. The plateau’s average temperature ranges from 64 to 68°F. That’s 18 to 20°C. Mountainous areas get about 59 inches of rain. That’s 1,500 mm.
Evergreen forests remain in the highlands. They remind us of Brazil’s past vegetation. This includes hardwoods like rosewood. You can also find wild fruits. Plants are used for medicine and textiles. Jaguars and cougars live in the highland forests. Tapirs and capybaras roam here too. Monkeys, parrots, macaws, and alligators also call this home.
Before the Portuguese arrived, the Tupí-Guaraní lived on the coast. The Tapuia lived inland. Black African slaves were brought here by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Later, European immigrants arrived. They were mostly Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
S\u00e3o Paulo was settled in 1532 by the Portuguese. Martim Afonso de Souza founded a settlement at S\u00e3o Vicente. In 1681, the captaincy was renamed S\u00e3o Paulo. The town of S\u00e3o Paulo became the capital in 1554. The Serra do Itaberaba or Gil Mountains have seen it all. From indigenous tribes to modern settlements. They stand as silent witnesses to history.