Bauru
Bauru | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Bauru | |
From the top, left to right: the Vitória Régia Park; the front of SESC Bauru; the Catholic Church Santa Terezinha; The Bauru Station; the Automobile Club; Rui Barbosa Square; and a panoramic view of the city. | |
| Motto: Custos vigilat (Latin) | |
Location in São Paulo state | |
| Coordinates: 22°18′54″S 49°03′39″W / 22.31500°S 49.06083°W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Southeast |
| State | São Paulo |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Suéllen Rosim |
| Area | |
• Total | 667.68 km2 (257.79 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 537 m (1,762 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 379,146 |
| • Density | 570/km2 (1,500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-03:00 (BRT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-02:00 (BRST) |
| Postal code | 17040 |
| Area code | (+55) 14 |
| Demonym | bauruense |
| HDI (2010) | 0.801 – very high |
| Website | www |
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Bauru (Portuguese pronunciation: [bawˈɾu]) is a Brazilian municipality located in the interior of São Paulo state, recognized as the most populous city in the Central-West region of São Paulo. It is one of the 19 municipalities comprising the Bauru Immediate Geographic Region, which is one of four immediate regions within the Bauru Intermediate Geographic Region, encompassing a total of 48 municipalities.
Situated northwest of the state capital, Bauru is approximately 326 km away and covers an area of 667.684 km². According to the IBGE's Census of 2022, the city had an estimated population of 379,146 inhabitants, making it the 18th most populous municipality in São Paulo.
Founded in 1896, Bauru experienced significant population growth due to the March to the West, a government initiative under Getúlio Vargas to promote development and settlement in Brazil's central region. In the early 20th century, the city's infrastructure expanded with the arrival of the railway and, later, highways. Coffee cultivation became prominent in the early 1900s, but Bauru transitioned into an industrialized city, aligning with Brazil's national industrialization starting in the 1930s. Industry, alongside the service sector, is the primary source of municipal revenue, contributing to Bauru's 68th highest GDP in Brazil. Since the 1950s, sugarcane production has gained prominence in agriculture.
Several highways, including Marechal Rondon, Comandante João Ribeiro de Barros, Cesário José de Carvalho, and Engenheiro João Batista Cabral Renno, connect Bauru to various municipalities in São Paulo. The city is a critical hub for air, road, and rail transport. Beyond its economic significance, Bauru is a key cultural center in its region. The Bauru Municipal Botanical Garden and the Bauru Forest Garden are vital environmental preservation areas, while the Celina Lourdes Alves Neves Municipal Theater, the Bauru Cultural Center, and the Bauru Automobile Club are notable urban landmarks. The Municipal Culture Secretariat oversees cultural projects and events, enriching Bauru's cultural life.