Urban hierarchy in Brazil


The urban hierarchy of Brazil places Brazil's cities into categories: global cities, national metropolises, regional metropolises, regional capitols, sub-regional centers and zone centers.

Urban hierarchy

Global cities

Brazil's global cities possess areas of influence that surpass the country's borders. Brazil's global cities are the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

National metropolises

, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are Brazil's national metropolises. They are the first level of territorial management, providing a focus for centers located in all parts of Brazil.

Regional metropolises

Regional metropolises constitute the second level of territorial management, and influence the surrounding macro-region where they are located. Brazil's regional metropolises include Curitiba, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Goiânia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Belém and Belo Horizonte.

Regional capitals

The regional capitol is the third level of territorial management, and influences its state and its surrounding states. These are subdivided into: A regional capitols ; B regional capitols and C regional capitols.

Sub-regional centers

Sub-regional centers possess influence over cities that are within close proximity, and nearby towns and rural areas as well. These are subdivided into: A sub-regional centers and B sub-regional centers.

Zone centers

The zone centers are the cities or towns that have an important regional influence, but limited to the immediate surrounding area, and exercising elementary management functions. These are subdivided into two levels: A zone centers and B zone centers.