Guarapuava

Guarapuava is a municipality in the state of Paraná in Brazil. It is the largest municipality in that state by area. Considered a regional development hub with a strong influence on neighboring municipalities, it is also part of a railroad junction of national importance called the Mercosur corridor, between the municipalities of Foz do Iguaçu and Curitiba. It is the richest agribusiness municipality in the state of Paraná. Guarapuava is located at 25°23'36" S and 51°27'19" W. The region is known as the centre of the state of Paraná, in the third plateau, also called the Plateau of Guarapuava. Discovered by the Portuguese in 1770, and founded in 1810, the city's name derives from tupi guarani, meaning place of Maned wolves sound (Maned wolves are called lobos-guará in Portuguese). Its elevation is 1120 m (3675 ft). The first families to settle in the city were formed through the Tropeiros. These families had their roots in Poland, Italy, and Germany. The city's birthday is celebrated on December 9, due to the beginning of colonization between Rio Coutinho and Rio Jordão, under the patronage of Nossa Senhora de Belém in 1819.