Curitiba

Curitiba is the capital and largest city of the state of Paraná, Brazil, located in the southern region of the country. It sits on a high plateau near the Serra do Mar and has a population of about 1.9 million in the metropolitan area.

Founded in 1693 as Vila Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, Curitiba became the state capital in 1853. It grew as an immigrant hub with Italian, German, Polish and Ukrainian communities, shaping its culture and architecture. The 1968 Curitiba Master Plan, developed by architect Jaime Lerner and colleagues, redefined land use around rapid transit, pedestrian spaces and green belts.

The city is celebrated for its bus rapid transit system, Rede Integrada de Transporte, with dedicated lanes, bus-only corridors, and transfer hubs. The historic center includes Rua XV de Novembro, a pedestrianized street also known as Rua das Flores, and the Largo da Ordem market.

Key landmarks include Jardim Botânico with its glass-and-iron greenhouse, the MON Museu Oscar Niemeyer, and the Ópera de Arame. The city has several parks and riverside areas, such as Parque Barigui and Parque Tanguá.

Curitiba features a mild, humid climate with cool winters and warm summers, and rainfall throughout the year. It is known for environmental planning and a high quality of life compared with many Brazilian cities.

Economically, Curitiba combines services, manufacturing and logistics, supported by universities such as Universidade Federal do Paraná and Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná. The city also hosts research institutes and a growing tech sector.