# 02

The Work Cities Guide São Paulo

Welcome. São Paulo is a city like no other in Brazil. When speaking of this city, everything becomes larger. The largest metropolis of South America has more than 11 million inhabitants and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) close to R$144 billion, which represents around 15% of the national GDP (SMF/2005). With an area of 1.530 square kilometers, the heart of the Brazilian economy receives an average of 10 million visitors per year. In São Paulo you will experience a cosmopolitan and multicultural environment. More than 70 communities coexist in harmony in a city that owes its own formation to the contribution of different immigrant groups. It concentrates the largest Japanese community outside Japan, the largest Italian community outside Italy and the largest number of Lebanese outside Lebanon. Nobody feels like a foreigner in São Paulo. As a global city, São Paulo is a pioneer in Latin America and gains increasing international significance, not only in the financial, economic, commercial and technological fields, but also strategically and politically. Once experienced, São Paulo just becomes unforgettable. Come see by yourself! Gilberto Kassab, Mayor of São Paulo

São Paulo. You can enter São Paulo through so many different “doors” that it is hard to choose one or another. The most genuine difference that you will notice whenever you meet a Paulista in Sao Paulo, is the sincerehospitality. The city has been ranked as one of the most “courteous” in the world. Using this key you can enter the Imaculada Conceicao da Luz Church and Monastery, just to upbear the jesuit missionaries who discovered this enchanted region back in the 16th century. Or you can visit the beautiful palace that host the Bovespa, the ancient Stock Exchange which is the biggest in South America; just to discover that this city represents 47 economies in the World, bigger than countries like Egypt or Georgia... But Brazil´s financial, industrial and commercial capital has much more to offer than some simple numbers and figures...So take a walk through the Parque do Ibirapuera, and enjoy one of the many free music events that take place in this 1.6 million square metres green area, or visit the Modern Art Museum inside the park. A pass along the windows of Rua Oscar Freire can meet every expectation for shopping, and if there’s a sportsman´s heart beating in your chest just move to one of the parks or beaches close to the city to see how Paulistas are getting ready for the Soccer World Championship that will be held in South Africa in June... Filippo De Bortoli, Insert Editor

The Work Cities Guide Content

Identity Card
General Information, Electricity, Telephone, Mail, Tv, Banking/Currency, Emergency Services, Economy, General practitioners, Pharmacies, Architecture.

Quality of life
Public transport/International connection, Getting around, Environment (air pollution, climate, natural disasters, traffic congestion, green areas…), Shopping, Education, Hospitals.

Cost of living
Consumer goods, Taxes, Employment law.

Housing
Costs for Renting/Buying, Where to go/What to do, Maintenance and Repair, Small Towns Close to the City.

Society
Crime, Security and Internal stability, Corruption, Foreign presence, Media, Relationship with other countries, Exit/Entry.

Leisure
Sport Activities & Facilities, Restaurants, Nightlife, Museums/Galleries, Cultural Events, Weekend.