Ever wonder how a place gets its name? Here at Pimentas, the story is quite interesting. Pimentas is a district in Guarulhos. It is located in the eastern part of the municipality of Guarulhos. It is the most populous district in Guarulhos. But how did Pimentas get its name?
Well there are a few theories. The most popular belief is that the indigenous people cultivated peppers here during the colonization period. Hence, Pimentas. Another version says the name comes from a large rural property in the area. Still another theory says that Pimenta was the surname of a family of farmers in the region.
Pimentas began to grow in the mid-20th century. This was due to a large migration within Brazil. Many workers could not afford to live in central Guarulhos. So they moved to eastern and northern parts of the city. Pimentas was an attractive option. The area is crossed by many rivers. This led to intense pottery activity. Many brickyards and sand ports were here in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
For decades the people of Pimentas depended on the commerce and services of Sāo Miguel Paulista. This is because Pimentas is closer to Sāo Miguel Paulista than to downtown Guarulhos.
Between the 1980s and 2000s, problems arose from the disordered occupation of the region. There was no concern for proper settlements. This led to many irregular houses and a lack of infrastructure. The area became a favela. But the government is now investing in building public housing here.
In recent decades, Pimentas has received many public and private investments. The neighboring districts of Aracilia, Água Chata, and Itaim have historical ties with Pimentas. The opening of the Pimentas-Bonsucesso Municipal Hospital, the first CEU of Guarulhos, and Shopping Bonsucesso, marked the beginning of commercial growth in the region. Today, Pimentas is recognized as one of the seven sub-centers of the municipality.
Pimentas is divided into many smaller neighborhoods. These include Jardim Pimentas, Parque Jurema, and Jardim Nova Cidade. Jardim Pimentas is where the region originated. Parque Jurema and Jardim Nova Cidade form the commercial center of Pimentas.
The Estrada Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira is the main avenue in Pimentas. It runs through the district. It contains many shops industries and service providers.
Despite not being an industrial center, Pimentas has some traditional companies. The largest industrial areas are near the Rodovia Ayrton Senna. There is also industry in Jardim Santo Afonso and Jardim Arapongas.
Pimentas is also home to several public facilities. These include an INSS post, a CIC, and a CIET. There are also two agencies of the Fácil and two post offices. The district also has a Conselho Tutelar unit, a Health Department and a Procon.
For education and culture, Pimentas has about 80 educational institutions. It also has the Escola de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas of the Universidade Federal de Sāo Paulo. The region also features the Teatro Adamastor Pimentas and three CEU units.
The Pimentas district has many bus lines. These connect Guarulhos with various points in Sāo Paulo. Many of these bus lines converge at the Terminal Municipal Pimentas.
Commerce has grown in Pimentas. Shopping Bonsucesso opened in 2006. It is the second largest shopping center in Guarulhos. The region also has five bank branches and several supermarket chains. The commercial area at the corner of Avenida Jurema and Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira is one of the seven sub-centers of the municipality.
So, as you explore Pimentas, remember its interesting history. From indigenous peppers to a growing commercial center, Pimentas has a unique story to tell.