Teresópolis - Brasil

Teresópolis
Município de Teresópolis
View from Pedra do Sino

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): Terê
Motto: "Sub Digitum Dei"
(Latin for, "Under God's Finger")
Anthem:
Location of Teresópolis in the state of Rio de Janeiro
Coordinates: 22°24′43″S 42°57′57″W
Country Brazil
Region Southeast
State Rio de Janeiro
Founded 1891
Government
• Mayor Jorge Mário Sedlacek (PT)
Area
• Total 770.5 km (297.5 sq mi)
Elevation 871 m (2,858 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total 150,921
• Density 195.9/km (507/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-3 (UTC-3)
Website teresopolis.rj.gov.br

Teresópolis (Portuguese pronunciation: [teɾeˈzɔpolis]) is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in a mountainous region known as Região Serrana. The Serra dos Órgãos National Park lies partly within the city limits.

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History

Teresópolis during the January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides, which killed over 400 people in the municipality and at least 610 altogether.

Teresópolis began as a quilombo founded by Maroons and indigenous peoples. In 1818, Englishman George March (1781-1845) established a farm there, and when he died in the middle of the 19th century, the locals divided the farm into several shares, some of which the new owners eventually resold.

In 1855, the settlement became an incorporated village, and was officially renamed "Freguesia de Santo Antonio de Paquequer"; however, the local inhabitants had already become accustomed to calling their home "Therezopolis" (named for the Empress Teresa Cristina). At this time, the village had a population of 2,000.

The Count D'Eu and Princess Isabel visited Teresópolis in 1868; Emperor Dom Pedro II visited in 1870, and praised the village's beauty. On July 6, 1891, Brazilian officials upgraded the village's status to municipality.

More than 400 people died during the 2011 Brazilian floods, nearly all of them killed when avalanches of mud and debris smashed down on their homes in the early hours of January 12, 2011.

Mountain peaks of Teresópolis

Teresópolis is famous in Brazil for its mountain peaks which attract many alpinists from all over the country. Peak of Dedo de Deus (God's Finger).

Of these, perhaps Dedo de Deus ("God's finger") is the most famous.

Subdivision

Teresópolis is divided into three districts. They are:

Sport and recreation

Teresópolis has excellent facilities for visitors of the Serra dos Órgãos National Park.

Teresópolis hosts Brazil's national soccer training center, the Granja Comary. It is also the home of two soccer teams, Teresópolis Futebol Clube and Teresópolis Esporte Clube, and a futsal club, Esporte Clube Teresópolis. Barra Futebol Clube is the only soccer club from Teresópolis to have competed in a national championship.

Sister cities

Teresópolis' sister cities are:

Official

Tourism

Among Teresopolis main attractions is the "Serra dos Orgaos", an Atlantic Forest reserve.