Cities Around The World: January 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

BRAZIL: The Top 10 Cities of Brazil

@1: Sao Paolo

Cities in Brazil are home to nearly 75% of Brazil's population. It wasn't long ago, perhaps less than 40 years ago, that most Brazilians called the rural areas of Brazil home.

The shift to urban life from rural life has presented several social challenges for the country of Brazil in both the larger and the smaller cities.

#2: Rio de Janeiro

The influx of people coming into the cities from the rural areas of Brazil has caused the favelas, or slums, to grow at a rapid rate along with crime and poverty. The cities did not have the housing or jobs to absorb all of the people migrating into the city.

City governments in Brazil have attempted to deal with the favela communities in several ways, including the demolition of the favelas during the 1970s. When this didn't work, the governments finally began to recognize these people as part of the larger community and now provide services for them. Services might include sewage, electricity, and paved roads. Schools and health clinics have also been established.

There are increased numbers of homes in the cities, but still the poorer people do not have the means to purchase them, so it's very difficult for those coming into the city from the country to find a decent home.

Top 10 Cities in Brazil

1. Sao Paulo

This vibrant city is known for music, theatre, museums, car racing, sports, and incredibly varied ethnic cuisine. It's also home to 20+ landmarks important to the history of Brazil. Sao Paulo is Brazil's premiere business center. Nearly every industry of Brazil is represented in Sao Paulo, one of the busiest cities in Brazil.

Population - 10 to 11 million

Sao Paulo Fashion Week - largest fashion show in Latin America held annually

Home to over 15 universities and colleges

2 major train stations and 2 airports

Has the highest number of regularly operating helicopters in the world

2. Rio de Janeiro

Rio is perhaps best known for its amazing beaches, such as Copacabana, Leblon, and Ipanema, but Rio has so much more to offer. This city is also famous for stunningly beautiful scenery and carnivals.

Population - over 5 million

Christ the Redeemer statue

Maracana Stadium - one of the largest football stadiums in the world

Sugarloaf Mountain

Hosting 2016 Olympics

Tourism is Rio de Janeiro's primary industry

3. Salvador

Salvador has been dubbed Brazil's capital of happiness. This city is a mix of rich historical heritage and modern life.

Population - just over 2 million

Noted for - music, food, arts, and architecture

Industries - petrochemical plant, oil refinery, and tourism

Salvador is one of Brazil's most important ports and trade centers

Host to the largest street party in the world - Carnaval of Salvador da Bahia

4. Brasilia

This is one of the most unique cities in Brazil as it is actually not really a city at all! Brasilia is an administrative district of the Federal District of Brazil.

Brasilia is one of the few planned communities that exist in the world. It was built in just four years and appears from the sky in the shape of an airplane!

All branches of the Brazilian government are located here, as well as many major companies and industries.

Population - 2.6 million

Capital of Brazil

Brasilia International Airport

Important government and economic hub of Brazil

Industry - construction, recycling, furniture, pharmaceuticals, food processing

Historic sites and museums

5. Belo Horizonte

Population - 2.4 million

Largest city of Minas Gerais

Industry - agriculture, mining, automobiles, textiles, biotechnology, steel, gold and gems

Music, theatre, dance, food, and museums

Several cultural landmarks

6. Fortaleza

Population - 2.5 million

Nightlife, carnivals, comedians, cuisine, music festivals

Industry - tourism and national and international commerce

8 historic landmarks

16 miles of urban beaches

7. Curitiba

Population - 1.8 million

Capital of Parana

2nd largest manufacturer of automobiles in Brazil

Industry - commerce, finance, and services

Ecological capital of Brazil - 28 parks and many wooded areas

8. Manaus

Population - 1.7 million

Capital of Amazonas

Surrounded by the Amazon jungle

Home to largest neighborhood in Latin America - New Town

Industries - petroleum refining, Brazil nuts, timber and the manufacture of motorcycles, soap, ships, chemicals, and beer

9. Recife

Population - 1.5 million

Capital of Pernambuco

2 international ports

Guararapes International Airport

Home to over 50 bridges in city proper

Most prominent and important commercial center of North Brazil

2nd largest medical center in Brazil

Industries - electronics for automobiles, canning, textiles, brewing, manufacturing of tubes, and chocolate

Carnivals, shopping centers, museums, and home to musicians, writers, and dancers

10. Belem

Population - 1.4 million

Capital of Para

Serves as entrance to the Amazon - home to an airport, bus station, and port

Known as the City of Mango Trees because there are so many mango trees throughout the city

14 freshwater beaches

Hosts the most important religious celebration in Brazil - Cirio of Nazare

Belem International Airport - largest airport in North Brazil

Industries - international cargo, warehouses along miles of wharf to handle incoming and outgoing cargo

Learn more: http://www.celebratebrazil.com/cities-in-brazil.html#ixzz1PE81ydtO

source: http://www.celebratebrazil.com/cities-in-brazil.html

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Bacolod: The City of Smiles

The City of Bacolod (Filipino: Lungsod ng Bacólod), is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region.

The Cleanest and Greenest and the Most Livable City in the Philippines. The capital of the Province of Negros Occidental which is the Sugarbowl of the Philippines. Bacolod City serves as the entrance of the sugar-rich cities and towns of the Province. Visitor’s facilities abound, modern means of in-land transport can take guests for business or leisure to any point in the island of Negros.

Bacolod will charm you with the genuine warmth and hospitality of her people in harmony with their lilting melodious accent. The Bacoleños will delight you with food and cuisine that is as vigorous yet as subtle as the legendary Ilonggo gentility and taste for the good life.

Bacólod (English: Bacolod), is derived from bakólod (Old Spelling: bacólod), the Old Hiligaynon or Old Ilonggo (Old Spelling: Ylongo and Ilongo) word for a "hill, mound, rise, hillock, down, any small eminence or elevation", since the resettlement was founded on a stony, hilly area, now the barangay of Granada. It was officially called Ciudad de Bacólod (English: City of Bacolod) when Municipalidad de Bacólod (English: Municipality of Bacolod) was converted into a city in 1938.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Mayor Evelio Agi Ramos Leonardía

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippnes

City Population: 499,497 as of 2007

City Land Area: 162.76 square km

Website: http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacolod_City

MONIKER / NICKNAMES:

"The City of Smiles"

"Football City of the Philippines"

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

@ 2009 AIM Awardee for Best Compliance with Gov’t. Mandated Plans.
@ 2009 Region’s Best Performing City in Economic Development.

@ No. 1 in a survey by MoneySense Magazine as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines"

MORE PICS HERE:

Monday, January 10, 2011

Vladivostok

Vladivostok is Russia's largest port city on the Pacific Ocean and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai. It is situated at the head of the Golden Horn Bay, not far from Russia's border with China and North Korea. It is the home port of the Russian Pacific Fleet. The population of the city, according to the preliminary results of the 2010 Census, is 592,100,[ down from 594,701 recorded in the 2002 Census.

In 2012 Vladivostok will host the 24th Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. In preparation for the event, the infrastructure of the city is being renovated and improved. Two giant cable-stayed bridges are currently under construction in Vladivostok, namely the Zolotoy Rog bridge over the Zolotoy Rog Bay in the center of the city, and the Russky Island Bridge from the mainland to Russky Island, where the summit will take place. The latter bridge will become the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world upon completion.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

Website: http://www.vlc.ru

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladivostok

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Makassar

Makassar, sometimes spelled Macassar, Mangkasar) is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably. The port city is located at 5°8′S 119°25′E / 5.133°S 119.417°E / -5.133; 119.417Coordinates: 5°8′S 119°25′E / 5.133°S 119.417°E / -5.133; 119.417, on the southwest coast of the island of Sulawesi, facing the Makassar Strait.

The city is southern Sulawesi's primary port, with regular domestic and international shipping connections. It is nationally famous as an important port of call for the pinisi boats, sailing ships which are among the last in use for regular long-distance trade.

During the colonial era, the city was famous for being the namesake of Makassar oil, which it exported in great quantity. Makassar ebony is a warm black hue, streaked with tan or brown tones, and highly prized for use in making fine cabinetry and veneers.

Aerial View of Makassar City in Indonesia

Nowadays, as the largest city in Sulawesi Island and Eastern Indonesia, the city's economy depends highly on service sectors with approximately 70% from total share. Restaurant and hotel service are the largest contributor (29.14%), followed by transportation and communication (14.86%), trading (14.86), finance (10.58%). Industry follows behind service with 21.34%

Makassar has a public transportation system called 'pete-pete'. A pete-pete (known elsewhere in Indonesia as angkot) is a mini-bus that has been modified to carry passengers. The route of Makassar's pete-petes is denoted by the letter on the windshield. Makassar is famous for their "becak" (pedicab) which is smaller than the "becak" in the island of Java. In Makassar, people who drive pedicab are called Daeng. The city airport is Hasanuddin International Airport which is actually located outside the Makassar city administration area. It is formally located in the regency of Maros. In addition to "becak" and "pete-pete", the city has government-run bus system, and taxis.

The inter-city railway in the areas of Makassar, Maros, Sungguminasa, and Takalar (Mamminasata) will be realised in 2015

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Ir.H.Ilham Arief Sirajuddin,MM.

City Population: 1,334,090 (Est. 2010)

City Land Area: 175.77 km. squared

City Classification:

Website: http://bahasa.makassarkota.go.id/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makassar

LINKS ABOUT MAKASSAR:

@ http://www.visitmakassar.net/

@ http://bahasa.makassarkota.go.id/

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines

In Philippines the classification of the cities are based on the population and income. Highly Urbanized City is considered to be top classification. The cities belongs here should have a minimum population of two hundred thousand (200,000) inhabitants, as certified by the National Statistics Office, and with the latest annual income of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) based on 1991 constant prices, as certified by the city treasurer. There are currently 33 highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, 16 of them located in Metro Manila.

Highly Urbanized Cities are the main part in the economic development of every region, province or island.

Below is the list of cities which are identified as Highly Urbanized City.

METRO MANILA / NCR :	LUZON:
1. Caloocan 2. Las Pinas 3. Makati 4. Malabon 5. Mandaluyong 6. Manila 7. Marikina 8. Muntinlupa 9. Navotas 10. Paranaque 11. Pasay 12. Pasig 13. San Juan 14. Quezon 15. Taguig 16. Valenzuela Based on NSO CY 2007	1. Angeles 2. Baguio 3. Lucena 4. Olongapo 5. Puerto Princesa
	VISAYAS:
	1. Bacolod 2. Cebu 3. Iloilo 4. Lapu-lapu 5. Mandaue 6. Tacloban
	MINDANAO:
	1. Butuan 2. Cagayan de Oro 3. Davao 4. General Santos 5. Iligan 6. Zamboanga

These highly urbanized cities help a lot in the development of the nation. They have high facilities that can accommodate a lot of events, tourists and businesses.

SOURCE:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_of_the_Philippines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_the_Philippines
http://www.mass-schedules.com/philippine-locations.html

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Iloilo: The City of Love

Iloilo [/,e-la-we(,)lo] City lies on the south coast of Panay Island in central Philippines. It was made the capital of Iloilo Province in 1673 and a city in 1890. Centuries before Ferdinand Magellan received formal education in Portugal, inhabitants of the city had been trading with Chinese, Arab, Persian and Indian merchants.

The city has a total land area of 11,800 hectares, generally flat with a population of 309,500 and considerably increases during the school season.

Its naturally-protected port attracted world trade in the 17 th century that by 1878 several foreign commercial houses and foreign consulates were bustling with commercial activities with local manufacturers, farmers and businessmen and the world merchants and traders. At present it boasts of its fine local and international ports.

Iloilo got its name from the local dialect irong-irong , meaning “nose-like” because the great Iloilo river that divides the city is shaped like a nose if seen from above.

The port is on the southern end of this district where the regional offices of government instrumentalities are located. Many old mansions, houses and structures dot this district, some of which need reconstruction like the once beautiful Laguda colonial mansion and the fabulous Casino Español near Fort San Pedro.

The great conflagration of February 1966 which burned a vast portion of the City Proper paved the way for a successful redistricting of the city.

Iloilo City is a vibrant mix of the East and West, old and new, where old Chinese businessmen still prefer to use the abacus , where new architecture soars over ancient mansions and churches. There is so much to see in Iloilo with fascinating Ilonggo traditions and festivals, exciting shopping for local products and trips and excursions to outlying islands and beaches. Although nightlife is more subdued here, high-tech discoteques of hotels are the hosts to the swinging young set while elegant coffee shops, bars, pubs and eateries are strategically located in the city that the Ilonggos invite you to stay an extra day.

OFFICIAL DETAILS :

City Head: Hon. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog
Land Area: 78.34 sq. km.
Population: 450,000 est. as of 2010
City Classification: Highly Urbanized City
Location: Iloilo, Philippines
Website: http://iloilocity.gov.ph/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo_City

MONIKER:
"The City of Love"
"The Queen City of the South"
"La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (English: The Most Loyal and Noble City) by the Queen Regent of Spain

AWARDS RECEIVED & CITATION:
1. ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST LIVABLE CITIES, a recognition given by LivCom: The International Awards for Livable Communities in 2010 ^ http://www.livcomawards.com/2010-awards/winners.htm