São Carlos

São Carlos is a city in São Paulo state, Brazil, positioned on a plateau roughly midway between the capital and Ribeirão Preto. The municipality spreads across rolling hills, with residential neighborhoods grouped around several university zones, commercial streets, and green patches along watercourses.

The settlement began in the mid-19th century on land previously known as the Pinhal allotment, receiving its formal municipal standing in 1857. Coffee production drove early growth before educational institutions shifted the town's economic focus from the 20th century onward.

The city takes its rhythm from a large student population that fills neighborhoods near university buildings, bringing cafés, bookshops, and evening gatherings to life. This academic presence shapes daily routines, public spaces, and the way residents interact throughout the year.

The place is connected to the state capital and other regional centers by highways, with journeys taking several hours depending on traffic. Visitors find accommodation and restaurants near university grounds, while public buses cover main zones within the municipality.

The region preserves patches of two distinct vegetation types, Atlantic rainforest on wetter slopes and cerrado on drier soils, visible in parks and on the city's outskirts. This mix attracts birdwatchers and plant enthusiasts who can explore both landscapes within a limited area.

Location: São Paulo

Inception: November 4, 1857

Elevation above the sea: 856 m

Shares border with: Ribeirão Bonito, Ibaté, Américo Brasiliense, Analândia, Araraquara, Brotas, Descalvado, Itirapina, Luiz Antônio, Rincão, Santa Lúcia

Website: http://saocarlos.sp.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -22.01804,-47.89115

Latest update: December 16, 2025 18:10