Salto Grande, São Paulo


Salto Grande is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2015 is 9.223 and the area is 189.072 km2. The elevation is 436 m.

Origin of the name

Due to the large waterfalls that existed in the city submersed by damming of rivers for the construction of the hydroelectric plant. First, the city was called the Cachoeira Dos Dourados, then by Salto Grande do Paranapanema and from 1922 Salto Grande.

History

Around 1843 the region was inhabited by Caiuás and Guarani Indians, entrusted to catechesis of Friar pacific of Monte Falco, brought from Italy by Antonina Baron, owner of extensive land grants in northern of Paraná and southern of São Paulo. José Teodoro de Souza, who years earlier had been interested in the lands, recorded in 1856 a possession that was beginning in Salto Grande's waterfall in the river Paranapanema, and went to the mouth of the river Tibagi.Em then promoted the local population with white and catechized Indians, for use in agricultural work. Thus was born the village of Salto Grande do Paranapanema, on a small column on the banks of the Paranapanema and Rio Novo rivers.

Demography

In 2014, Salto grande was the 383º most populous city in Brazil and according to the 2010 IBGE Census, there were 8,787 people residing in the city. The census found 6,054 White people, 2,384 Pardo people, 287 Black people, 60 Asian people and 2 Amerindian people.
;Data of the Census of 2010
Population density : 46,64
Infant mortality up to 1 year : 15.5
Infant mortality up to 5 year : 18
Life expectancy : 74.5
Total fertility rate: 2.41
Literacy rate: 84,63%
Human Development Index : 0.704

Points of interest

Because of its location, natural environment and a climate with well defined seasons, has Salto Grande tourism potential. The hot, dry and stable climate makes the city on the banks of the Paranapanema River, a common destination for those who want to be in touch with nature, either by water sports, or otherwise.

The beach ("Prainha")

Located on the banks of the Paranapanema River, the beach of Salto Grande, locally known as "Prainha" by the townspeople, is an artificial beach that has almost 4 km of long and is one of the main tourist points of the city.
It is used for water sports, using water bike, kayak, boat and paddle boats and the area has a barbecue site and an area for walking and hiking. Salto Grande earned the nickname "Cidade Praia" because of the many visitors to the beach, especially during its events and festivals.

Archaeological site

Discovered in 1990 by a team of University of São Paulo, have been found several pieces and indigenous funerary urns with over a thousand years old, where were buried bodies of Indians who lived in the region. These research aim to rebuild the characteristics of settlement over 8000 years and so study their way of life and their local customs.