Natal

Natal
—  Municipality  —
The Municipality of Natal
View of Ponta Negra.
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): "Cidade do Sol" ("The City of the Sun") and "Cidade das Dunas" ("The City of Dunes")
Location of Natal in the State of Rio Grande do Norte
Country	Brazil
Region	Northeast
State	Rio Grande do Norte
Founded	December 25, 1599
Government
- Mayor	Micarla de Sousa (PV)
Area
- Municipality	170.298 km2 (65.8 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (98 ft)
Population (2008)
- Municipality	798.065 (21st)
- Density	4.638.3/km2 (12/sq mi)
- Metro	1.255.409
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC)
Postal Code	59000-000
HDI (2000)	0.788 – medium
Website	Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Natal (lit. "Christmas", Portuguese pronunciation: [naˈtaw]) is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil. As of the IBGE 2008, the city had a total population of 798,896 (1.255.409 in its metropolitan area). Natal is considered by IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research of Brazil), the safest capital city in the country^[1][2][3].

It was founded on a Christmas Day on December 25, 1599 by Portuguese settlers and for a time by Dutch settlers. During the World War II, the city had a small but important participation in this war, served as an airbase to the United States due to its privileged geographical position, the "Corner of the Continent." Until today, the city has a small American influence^[4]. Currently, the city is in the process of growth and future may become the next Brazilian metropolis^[5].

The implementation of the Via Costeira (Coastal Highway), 10 km (5.5 mi) long avenue along the shore and the dunes, was the true starting point for the beginning of tourist activity in the State in the 1980s. That is where the main hotels and restaurants of the capital city, Natal, are concentrated. Improvements in tourist infrastructure and conservation of the natural heritage, beyond the city's afforestation are some of the actions given priority ever since by the state government. One of the highlights was the creation of the Dunas Park (Dunes Park), which aims to preserve the chain of sand dunes that surround the city and is the second largest urban park in Brazil^[6].

It is the nearest Brazilian capital of Europe and paradise islands of Fernando de Noronha ^[7], attracting around two million tourists^[8] a year who seek various attractions. Natal became the entry gate to the beautiful beaches of the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Many of them are still semi-wild, such as Pipa beach and Maracajaú beach; and others are the liveliest, Genipabu, Pirangi beach and Ponta Negra.

The city also has one of the largest off-season carnivals in Brazil^[9], called Carnatal, which is very different from the samba school parade, popular in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, the notable is a Festa Junina (Saint John Festival - also celebrated the Midsummer Day in several European countries) that occurs in many cities of the state in particular the city of Mossoró.

Other tourist attractions of Natal is the Maior cajueiro do mundo (biggest cashew tree in the world) demonstrated by the Guinness Book^[10], the Morro do Careca (lit. "Bald Hill") is a large dune, Newton Navarro bridge is one of the largest bridges in Brazil, besides "Parrachos" of Maracajaú and Pirangi and where the sea is the most crystalline and suitable for diving. Natal also has historical attractions that are part of the city's history, such as the Forte dos Reis Magos is a medieval fortress, the house of Luís da Câmara Cascudo, one of the most notable Brazilian folklore, the Rampa is a former passenger station and transport connections, used as a base for seaplanes get built during the World War II. Moreover, there is the Alberto Maranhão Theatre and first base to launch rockets from Brazil, the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center.

The Augusto Severo International Airport connects Natal with many Brazilian cities and also operates some international flights.

The city is home to the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte.

The city was one of twelve chosen to receive the football matches of 2014 FIFA World Cup, and is building a football stadium, the Dunas Arena, and a new airport, the Greater Natal International Airport, to be the largest airport in Latin America^[11].

Geography

Natal is located at 5°46′S 35°12′W / 5.767°S 35.2°W / -5.767; -35.2, in the far east of South America. The city has a total area of 170 km². Natal lies on the Atlantic Ocean, at the mouth of the Potengi River.

Location of Natal in Brazil.

Climate and vegetation

Natal has a typical tropical climate, with warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity all throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and pleasant trade winds blowing from the ocean. January is the warmest month, with mean maxima of 31 °C (88 °F) and minima of 24 °C (75 °F), while July is the coolest with mean maxima of 27 °C (80.6 °F) and minima of 22 °C (72 °F). Rainfall is heavy at around 1,550 millimetres (61 in) per year, but there is a dry season between about September and January that is more distinct than further south on the Atlantic coast. Nonetheless, the weather is not so dry as to preclude the growth of tropical rainforest and, since colonisation by Portugal, sugar cane.

Known as the "City of Sun" and also as "The City of Dunes" Natal is located in the northeastern tip of Brazil.

Lying about six degrees south of the equator the sun shines on for more than 3,000 hours every year and the days seem to last forever. The average temperature in Natal is about 27 degrees celsius. During the summer season it normally reaches above 30 degrees celsius with the water at a soothing 26 degrees. The greatest amount of rain falls between March and July.^[12]

Potengi River.

History

Forte dos Reis Magos (Three Kings fort).

The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, 20 miles (32 km) to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day. For decades thereafter, no permanent European settlement was established in the area, inhabited by the Potiguar tribe.

In 1597, after some years during which French pirates, led by Jacques Riffault, established regular commercial activities with the native population, the ninth Portuguese Governor-General of Brazil, Francisco de Sousa, ordered the expulsion of the buccaneers. The successful expedition was led by the Captain-Major of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, Manuel de Mascarenhas Homem, with the assistance of Jerônimo de Albuquerque Maranhão.

Rampa, one of American air bases used during World War II.

Albuquerque Maranhão began on January 6, 1598, the construction of the Fort of the Holy Kings or of the Magi-Kings ("Forte dos Santos Reis" or "Forte dos Reis Magos"), named after the Three Wise Men, honored in the Christian feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on that day.

On December 25, 1599, Natal (whose name means Nativity or Christmas in Portuguese) was established as a village outside the fort. The fort, city, and surrounding areas were occupied by Dutch forces from 1633 to 1654.

The sandy soil of Natal prevented the city from becoming a producer of sugarcane, during the colonial times. For centuries, the economy of the State was based on the raising of cattle in the dry interior lands; the cattle was sent alive to the larger centers, to be used as traction, or was turned into jerked beef, to be used as food; the most typical food of Natal, "carne de sol" (sun meat), has origins in that jerked beef.

Skyline of Natal.

Last century, Natal benefited from the growth of the industries of salt (the north of Rio Grande do Norte is the largest producer in Brazil) and petroleum (the largest inland Brazilian reserves are in the State). Natal grew quickly, but in a somewhat planned way (compared to other major Brazilian cities); transit flows smoothly, public services are well distributed, ecologic conscience is visible; violence levels are low. Tourists (first Brazilians, more recently foreigners) discovered the city, which became one of the major tourist destinations in Brazil.

Because of its strategic position (Natal is one of the cities in Brazil nearest to Western Europe and Africa, especially Dakar, Senegal), an American air base was built in a suburb of Natal named Parnamirim during World War II as part of the so-called Operation Rainbow; this base provided support for allied troops combating in the north of Africa. Thousands of American soldiers were sent to Natal, and their presence left traces in the culture of the city.

Natal's City Hall (Filipe Camarão Palace).

Old cathedral of Natal.

Igreja do Galo (Church of the Rooster).

Tourism Center.

Economy

Morro do Careca in Ponta Negra.

With its dozens of sandy, white beaches, such as Ponta Negra and its famous Morro do Careca, Tabatinga - the cliff of dolphins, Pirangi, Redinha, Pipa and Genipabu with its famous fixed sand dunes and imported dromedaries, tourism is the most important industry of Natal, attracting Brazilians, Europeans (many from Spain, England, Scandinavia, Germany, Portugal, Italy and France), and Americans alike.

It is also a relevant administrative center for the oil industry (Rio Grande do Norte being the second largest oil-producing state in Brazil).

Pumpjack in UFRN, Natal, Brazil.

The fishing industry is strong (shark cartilage being a major export to Japan) as is the cultivation of tropical fruit, especially mangos, guavas, and cashews (the fruit and the nuts).

In fact, the largest cashew tree in the world is located near the coast in the neighborhood of Pirangi, south of the city center. This tree has a circumference of 500 metres and occupies an area of 7,300 m², making it 70 times the size of average cashew trees.

The GDP for the city was R$ 7,038,816,000 (2005).^[13]

The per capita income for the city was R$ 9,047 (2005).^[14]

Education

Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal.

International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal.

Portuguese is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools, but English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum.

Educational institutions

• Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN);
• International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal (IINN-ELS);
• Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN);
• Universidade Potiguar (UnP);
• Federal de Educação Tecnológica do Rio Grande do Norte (Cefet-RN);
• Instituto de Educação Superior Presidente Kennedy (Kennedy);
• Faculdade Natalense para o Desenvolvimento do Rio Grande do Norte (Farn);
• Faculdade de Natal (FAl);
• Faculdade de Excelência Educacional do Rio Grande do Norte (FATERN);(IINN-ELS)
• and many others.

Culture and recreation

Natal is your gateway to many attractions of the city and the state of Rio Grande do Norte:

Carnival and Carnatal

Carnatal, is one of the largest off-season carnivals in Brazil.

The four-day period before Lent leading up to Ash Wednesday is carnival time in Brazil. Carnival in Natal is not big, but "Carnatal" is a different matter: it's one of the largest off-season carnivals in Brazil.^[15] Organizing off-season Carnavais is not a Natal-only habit. Fortaleza has "Fortal", Recife has "Recifolia", Natal has "Carnatal". Carnatal takes place sometime in November or December. It has happened in the streets around Machadão Stadium (traffic around the stadium changes radically during Carnatal days).

The transit department isolates about 3 km (1.8 mi) of streets,^[16] creating a ring, along which the party takes place. During the days of party, a huge truck (called "trio elétrico"), with a band on the top and sound boxes all around, drives slowly along the streets. The crowd follows the trio elétrico singing, dancing, jumping to the sound of the music. To be allowed to follow the truck, one must buy admittance to one of the several "blocos" (block). A bloco is an enterprise which obtains permission to participate in Carnatal, hires the band, sells admitance and controls access.

Dunas State Ecological Park

Dunas Park, considered the second largest urban park in Brazil^[17].

The Dunas Park is considered the second largest urban park in Brazil^[18]. It includes 1,172 hectares of land, and allows observation of several vegetable and animal species, which are typical of the Atlantic Forest. The tour is along a trail, accompanied by trained guides. The park also has a jogging track, and stays open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday.

Museums

Museums in Natal include: Museu de Arte Sacra, Museu de Cultura Popular, Espaço Cultural Palácio Potengi, Instituto Histórico e Geográfico do Rio Grande do Norte, Museu da Cultura Popular, Museum Camara Cascudo, Memorial Camara Cascudo.

Natal Aquarium

Seahorses in Natal Aquarium.

The Natal Aquarium was founded and is run by a family of biologists and retired environmentalists. Besides the exhibit, the aquarium also serves as a surgery center for sea animals. The Aquarium is located between the Oceânica Avenue and the beach. The Aquarium exhibits about 60 marine species.^[19] There are about 30 small aquariums, where the species are put individually or in small groups of two or three species. Most species were collected at the Brazilian and Rio Grande do Norte coast. Species include several kinds of fish (including piranhas), sea horses, shrimps, lobsters, stingrays, octopus, etc. In a refrigerated aquarium, there is a couple of penguins.

The world's largest cashew tree.

The Largest Cashew Tree in the World

The Maior cajueiro do mundo is the biggest cashew tree in the world. In 1994, it entered the Guiness book as the tree which covers the largest area, 8,400 square meters^[20]; larger than a typical football pitch. Due to a genetic mutation, the branches of this tree grow outwards rather than upwards; thus when a branch touches the ground, roots are not created, rather a new ramification starts to grow.^[21]

There is even a gazebo located in the cashew, a popular attraction amongst tourists.

Forte dos Reis Magos

Forte dos Reis Magos, fortress built in 1598 and is now a museum.

Forte dos Reis Magos or Fortaleza dos Reis Magos is a medieval fortress that was the first milestone of the city - founded on 25 December 1599 - on the right side of the bar of the river Potenji (today near the Ponte Newton Navarro). It received its name based on the date of commencement of its construction, 6 January 1598, at Epiphany Catholic calendar.

Natal City Park

Natal City Park

The Natal City Park Dom Nivaldo Monte, or simply the City Park is a urban park. Inaugurated on July 21, 2008 with architectural project of Oscar Niemeyer. It has a tower that gives it up and see the city from on high, and has a museum and restaurant.

Festa Junina (Saint John Festival )

Festa Junina was introduced to Northeastern Brazil by the Portuguese for whom St John's day (also celebrated as Midsummer Day in several European countries), on the 24th of June, is one of the oldest and most popular celebrations of the year. Differently from what happens on the European Midsummer Day, the festivities in Brazil do not take place during the summer solstice but during the tropical winter solstice. The festivities traditionally begin after the 12th of June, on the eve of St Anthony's day, and last until the 29th, which is Saint Peter's day. During these fifteen days, there are bonfires, fireworks, and folk dancing in the streets. Typical foods and beverages are served. It should be noted that, as during Carnival, these festivities involve wearing costumes (in this case, peasant costumes), dancing, heavy drinking, and visual spectacles (fireworks display and folk dancing). Similar to what happens on Midsummer and St John's Day in Europe, bonfires are a central part of these festivities in Brazil.

Festa Junina in other cities of the state, especially in the city of Mossoró which gathers thousands of people during the month of June.

Newton Navarro bridge

Newton Navarro bridge.

The Newton Navarro bridge is one of the highest bridges in Brazil and has over a gorgeous sunset seen from Potengi River. She makes the connection with the beaches of the north coast of the state.

In addition to unburden the city traffic, the bridge became a tourist attraction because of its large size.

Historic Center

Alberto Maranhão Theatre (on the inside of it) is part of Historic Center.

The Natal Historic Center it comprises an area of approximately 201,278 m², which are included 150 buildings of various styles, including colonial architecture, neoclassical, art-deco and modernist. This area comprises the districts of Ribeira and Cidade Alta, which are the oldest neighborhoods of the city, which have characteristics of the first centuries of the history of Brazil, highlighting important aspects of Portuguese colonization.

Barreira do Inferno

The Barreira do Inferno Launch Center is the first base to launch rockets from Brazil. With the construction of another center in Brazil, today, it only launches rockets, small and medium businesses and is open to visitation of tourists to know the rockets, but must make an appointment to visit the center.

Parrachos de Maracajaú

Parrachos de Maracajaú.

The Parrachos de Maracajaú of coral reefs are the seven kilometers of beach in Maracajaú, forming natural pools. Occupy an area of 13 kilometers, excellent for snorkeling in the coral diving underwater that, at low tide, touch the surface.

It is one of the places in Brazil where the sea is the most crystalline and suitable for diving. The beach of Maracajaú is 60 kilometers from Natal.

In Maracajaú also a water park, the Ma-Noa Park.

Genipabu

Dromedary camel in Genipabu Beach.

Genipabu (or Jenipabu) is a beach, a complex of dunes, a lagoon and an area of environmental protection (APA) located in Natal capital city, one of the most famous post-cards of the Brazilian state Rio Grande do Norte.

It is a huge dunes and a lagoon of fresh water, with strong attraction for tourism. The region has a good infrastructure of hotels, inns, restaurants, beach tents, tours of "buggies", rafts and dromedaries.

It is played in the dunes around the lake called "esquibunda" stakeholders sit down the dunes on top of planks of wood, to dive in the waters of the lagoon.

The tours of "buggies" are offered in the local "with emotion" or "no emotion", according to the degree of risk, it is recommended, however, are chosen accredited professionals responsible for security not only of tourists, but the middle - environment.

Ponta Negra and Via Costeira

Ponta Negra Beach.

Ponta Negra is a famous beach and a neighborhood located in the Brazilian city of Natal in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. In the extreme south of the beach, is located in Morro do Careca (Bald Hill), a large dune. The extreme north of the beach, is located at Via Costeira (Coastal Way), a road in the middle of coastal dunes that connect the various beaches of the city.

The beach is completely urbanized and there are several points shops, restaurants, bars and night clubs.

The sand itself is lined with "tents", or huts, that serve food and drinks to beachgoers day and night.

A common sight on the beach are "jangadas", simple, multicolored, local fishing boats typical of northeastern Brazil.

The Via Costeira (Coastal Way) is a great avenue built next to the dunes and beaches of the city, including making the connection of several beaches in the state.

Pipa beach

Pipa Beach.

The Pipa Beach is located 85 km from Natal and completely away from urban centers. Paradise a beach that attract thousands of tourists every year.

Other attractions

• As Natal means Christmas in Portuguese, possibly in December are some attractions such as concerts, plays, meeting writers and the traditional burning of fires, and the city be decorated with Christmas purposes.

• Cape São Roque, point of the Brazilian coast close of Africa.

• Calcanhar Lighthouse, the second-highest lighthouse in the world.

• Mada, festival of pop rock national.

• Shopping centers/malls: Midway Mall, Praia Shopping, Natal Shopping, Norte Shopping and Shopping Cidade Jardim.

Arc of the Sun Monument

Castelo Di Bivar, castle in Carnaúba dos Dantas city.

Pico do Cabugi, an extinct volcano in the city of Angicos.

Sierra mountains in city of Martins.

Infrastructure

International Airport

Augusto Severo International Airport.

Located virtually at sea level (169 feet), with favorable weather and geographic conditions, Augusto Severo International Airport in Parnamirim is 18 kilometers from Natal. It takes its name from Augusto Severo de Albuquerque Maranhão, a native son of that state who died in an accident in France in 1902. The airport has a total area of 11.3 thousand square meters and capacity for 1.2 million passengers a year. The installations and passenger terminals are air conditioned with equipment that can put out 630 tons of cooled air. With an area of 5.5 million square meters, the airport complex operates with 16,482 square meters of passenger and cargo terminals and administrative and maintenance installations. There are 6,224 meters of runways and 61.5 square meters of apron space, providing connections from the greater Natal region to the main centers of the world. The airport is the only one in the Northeast Region to receive charter flights from Scandinavia.

Highways

BR-304 highway.

Natal is connected to the main cities of Brazil by the BR-101 and BR-304.

Distances

• Recife: 287 km (178 mi);
• São Paulo: 3011 km (1870 mi);
• Rio de Janeiro: 2750 km (1708 mi);
• Belo Horizonte: 2615 km (1624 mi);
• Brasília: 2383 km (1480 mi);
• Salvador: 1100 km (683 mi);
• Porto Alegre: 4320 km (2684 mi).

View of Port of Natal.

Port

The Port of Natal is specialized in cold storage cargo such as fruit, fish and shrimp, among others. It has its own customs facilities and is connected to Europe by direct navigation lines, mainly to the ports of Vigo, Rotterdam and Sheerness, which allows great agility and reduced costs for the shipment of your products. Besides having a modern infrastructure, competitive prices and qualified professionals, the access to the management of the Port is easy, meaning less bureaucracy for your transactions.

Neighborhoods

Entrence of Natal (Statue of Three Kings).

Neighborhoods of Natal:

Tirol neighborhood.

Ponta Negra neighborhood.

Cidade Alta neighborhood.

Petrópolis neighborhood.

Sports

Machadão Stadium.

The principals soccer teams of Natal are:

• América de Natal
• ABC Futebol Clube
• Alecrim FC

Stadiums

• João Machado Stadium (Machadão);
• Maria Lamas Farache Stadium (Frasqueirão);
• Juvenal Lamartine Stadium;
• and many others.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Dunas Arena, will be built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The city was one of twelve candidates chosen to host games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is building a new stadium, the Dunas Arena will be built in place of Machadão stadium will be demolished^[22]. It is building a new airport, Greater Natal International Airport, to be the largest airport in Latin America^[23]. It is also investing in a public transport system using the system of light rail called VLT de Natal, and other projects of infrastructure.

Beckham World of Sport.

David Beckham has announced plans for a football academy in Natal called the Beckham World of Sport, to coincide with the 2014 World Cup.^[24]

World Championship of Basketball Master

Natal will be the first Brazilian city to host the World Championship of Basketball Master will occur in 2011, winning the cities postulant who also wanted to host the event competitors: Punta del Este in Uruguai; Vancouver in Canada and Eugene in United States^[25]. The facilities of the modern Nélio Dias gymnasium should be used to house the event that will bring about the city around 3,500 athletes from around the world^[26].

Notable Natalenses

Basketball player Oscar Schmidt is from Natal.

• Fernanda Tavares, international model
• Clodoaldo Silva, paralympic swimmer
• Oscar Schmidt, basketball player
• Virna Dias, volleyball player
• Richarlyson, football player
• Marinho Chagas, football player
• Kell, football player
• André Oliveira, football player
• Ramalho, football player
• Larissa Costa, Miss Brasil 2009
• Carlos Paz de Araújo, scientist and inventor
• Abraham Palatnik, artist
• Garibaldi Alves Filho, politician and former President of the Federal Senate (2007-2009)
• João Café Filho, lawyer and ex-president of Brazil (1954-1955)
• Antônio Filipe Camarão, native American
• Luís da Câmara Cascudo, anthropologist, folklorist, journalist, historian, lawyer, and lexicographer

Sister cities

• São Paulo, Brazil
• Córdoba, Argentina
• Porto Alegre, Brazil
• Bethlehem, Palestine
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Fortaleza, Brazil^[27]

Photo Gallery

Via Costeira.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Natal.

Redinha beach.

View of Natal the Newton Navarro bridge.

References

Find more about Natal (Brazil) on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary

Textbooks from Wikibooks
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Images and media from Commons
News stories from Wikinews

Learning resources from Wikiversity

External links

Official

Government

• (Portuguese) Official website
• (English) Natal and Rio Grande do Norte Official Tourism

Newspapers

• (Portuguese) Nominuto.com Newspaper
• (Portuguese) Tribuna do Norte Newspaper

Tourism

Travel guide

• (English) Natal Travel Guide
• (English) Natal Brazil Guide
• (English) The New York Times Natal's Travel Guide

Hotels

• (English) Hotels in Natal
• (English) Hotels in Natal with discount hotel rates

Education

Public universities

• (English) Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
• (Portuguese) State University of Rio Grande do Norte

Private universities

• (Portuguese) Potiguar University (Laureate International Universities)
• (Portuguese) Facex University

Institutes

• (English) International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal

Photos

• Images of Natal by Tripadvisor

Other Web sites

Real estate

• (English) RNImoveis
• (English) Abreu Imoveis
• (Portuguese) Delphi Engenharia
• (English) Flats in Natal
• (English) Natal Property

Related Wiki links

• Natal, Rio Grande do Norte travel guide from Wikitravel