Aparecida de Goiânia

Aparecida de Goiânia is a municipality in central Goiás that sits at an elevation of around 808 meters and forms the second largest city in the state after the capital. Residential neighborhoods alternate with commercial zones, while wide streets connect the different districts.

A group of worshipers donated land in 1922 to build a chapel, which laid the foundation for the later settlement. The municipality developed rapidly during the second half of the 20th century and gained independence from the neighboring city.

The place takes its name from Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Brazil's patron saint, and many families maintain this connection through pilgrimages and celebrations. On weekends, churches fill with worshipers from across the region who pray together and then gather in the squares outside.

The municipality sits about 21 kilometers from Goiânia and is reached via well-maintained roads that pass through residential and industrial areas. Four industrial zones along federal highway BR-153 shape the cityscape and attract many commuters.

The population rose from around 42,000 in 1980 to over 590,000 in 2020, representing one of the fastest demographic shifts in central Brazil. This change transformed the cityscape fundamentally and led to the emergence of new neighborhoods and infrastructure.

Location: Goiás

Inception: 1922

Elevation above the sea: 808 m

Shares border with: Goiânia, Abadia de Goiás, Aragoiânia, Bela Vista de Goiás, Hidrolândia, Senador Canedo

Website: http://aparecida.go.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -16.82194,-49.24500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:10