Nova Bassano


Nova Bassano is a municipality and a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil.

History

Nova Bassano was established by Italian immigrants around 1890. Among them was Padre Pedro Antônio Colbachini, a Catholic priest member of the Scalabrini congregation, who is regarded together with his companions as the founder of the town. In those days, the town had been called Bassano in memory of the North Italian town of Bassano del Grappa from which the immigrant were coming. In 1939, during the Second World War, it was renamed Silva Pais, but in 1947, with the unanimous assent of the population, it was named Nova Bassano in tribute to the first immigrants.
Until 1898 the town was part of the municipality of Lagoa Vermelha. Through successive administrative reforms it formed part of the municipalities of Veranópolis and Nova Prata. By virtue of State Law n° 4730 23 May 1964 Nova Bassano became a municipality of its own.

Geography

Nova Bassano is situated in the state's mountainous Serra Gaúcha region. It is situated at, at an altitude of 563 meters above sea level. It occupies an area of 211.612 km².
The neighboring municipalities are on the north Nova Araçá, on the east Nova Prata, on the south Nova Prata and Vista Alegre do Prata, on the west Serafina Corrêa and Guaporé. The population was estimated by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics to amount to 9.249 in 2009.

Economy

The municipality enjoys one of the highest Human Development Index of the state and of Brazil, i.e. 0.844, placing it on the 39th rank of the 3.527 municipalities of the country. Nova Bassano's economy is strong and is characterized by its diversification, extending to agriculture, wine production, industry, food industry and commerce. The metal industry is particularly present in the municipality because several companies have established there.

Education and culture

Nova Bassano's school capacity exceeds 1.200 students, the Colbachini College being the major educative institution of the municipality. Furthermore, there are computer schools, a Municipal Library and a Cultural Society.

Tourism and attractions

The locality's interest is enhanced by the vicinity of the Serra Gaúcha mountain. Nova Bassano hosts many plants native of the region, including 100 species of recognized native trees. The main tourist sights of the municipality are:
Most of the Bassanense belong to the Roman Catholic Church. The Patron Saint of the city is the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Events and festivals

Nova Bassano is linked through highways RS 324 e BR/RS 470. Nearby airports include Caxias do Sul at 73 km and the Passo Fundo airport at 81 km.

Climate

Nova Bassano's climate is of the humid subtropical type. The mean temperature is 18 °C and varies between 5 °C and 35 °C. Mean rainfalls amount to 1650 mm.

Government

The first elections took place on 10 January 1965. Since then, the population of Nova Bassano has elected the following mayors:

Notable persons