Porto União
Encyclopedia
Porto União is a city located in the Northern Plateau in the State of Santa Catarina
and in the left bank of Iguazu River
, bordering the city of União da Vitória
, Paraná
. In 2006, its population was estimated in 33,318 inhabitants.
and with União da Vitória
-- considered its twin city -- as well.
It all began in 1842 with the discovery of the 'Vau do Iguaçu' (literally meaning 'Iguazu Ford'), the best connection between the South and the Southeast Region
, where the army troops just as people from Rio Grande do Sul
known as 'tropeiros' used to cross the river with their oxen in order to sell them in São Paulo
and Minas Gerais
. It was also a important stop point for those who used the river in transportation, receiving its first name: Porto da União (Harbour of Union). In a few years, the area rapidly developed.
The small village grows and in 1855 its name is changed to Porto União da Vitória. In the same year, immigration begins with Germans
, Poles
, Ukrainians
, Italians, Austrians
and Russians
. In 1901 its name changes to União da Vitória
.
In 1912 the Contestado War
takes place and in September 5th of 1917 the municipality of Porto União is created.
In the 1950's, both cities, União da Vitória and Porto União, reach their economic and regional importance apex caused by the growth of the native wood market and yerba mate as well.
Nowadays, the city, just like its twin, lives of the non-native wood market and tourism.
Santa Catarina (state)
Santa Catarina is a state in southern Brazil with one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Its capital is Florianópolis, which mostly lies on the Santa Catarina Island. Neighbouring states are Rio Grande do Sul to the south and Paraná to the north. It is bounded on the east by...
and in the left bank of Iguazu River
Iguazu River
The Iguazu River is a river in Brazil and Argentina. It is an important tributary of the Paraná River. The Iguazu River is long, with a drainage basin of .-Course:...
, bordering the city of União da Vitória
União da Vitória
União da Vitória is a city located in the south of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Its population was about 51.858 people in 2006. In the economic area, União da Vitória's GDP is of US$ 115,364,648.65.- History :...
, Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
. In 2006, its population was estimated in 33,318 inhabitants.
History
The history of Porto União has always been intrinsically connected with the Iguazu RiverIguazu River
The Iguazu River is a river in Brazil and Argentina. It is an important tributary of the Paraná River. The Iguazu River is long, with a drainage basin of .-Course:...
and with União da Vitória
União da Vitória
União da Vitória is a city located in the south of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Its population was about 51.858 people in 2006. In the economic area, União da Vitória's GDP is of US$ 115,364,648.65.- History :...
-- considered its twin city -- as well.
It all began in 1842 with the discovery of the 'Vau do Iguaçu' (literally meaning 'Iguazu Ford'), the best connection between the South and the Southeast Region
Southeast Region, Brazil
The Southeast Region of Brazil is composed by the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is the richest region of the country, responsible for approximately 60% of the Brazilian GDP. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais are three richest states of Brazil,...
, where the army troops just as people from Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
known as 'tropeiros' used to cross the river with their oxen in order to sell them in São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
and Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
. It was also a important stop point for those who used the river in transportation, receiving its first name: Porto da União (Harbour of Union). In a few years, the area rapidly developed.
The small village grows and in 1855 its name is changed to Porto União da Vitória. In the same year, immigration begins with Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, Ukrainians
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
, Italians, Austrians
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
and Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
. In 1901 its name changes to União da Vitória
União da Vitória
União da Vitória is a city located in the south of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Its population was about 51.858 people in 2006. In the economic area, União da Vitória's GDP is of US$ 115,364,648.65.- History :...
.
In 1912 the Contestado War
Contestado War
The Contestado War , broadly speaking, was a guerrilla war for land between settlers and landowners, the latter supported by the Brazilian state's police and military forces, that lasted from October 1912 to August 1916....
takes place and in September 5th of 1917 the municipality of Porto União is created.
In the 1950's, both cities, União da Vitória and Porto União, reach their economic and regional importance apex caused by the growth of the native wood market and yerba mate as well.
Nowadays, the city, just like its twin, lives of the non-native wood market and tourism.