São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, and is the "business capital" of Brazil. However, it is essential to underscore São Paulo's many restaurants, intense nightlife, and the busy artistic calendar make it also one of the cultural capitals of the world. The capital of the state also has nearly 300 cinemas, more than 100 theaters, a dozen cultural centers and 70 museums, among diverse historical buildings. There are also theme parks, countless leisure areas and two large stadiums. It is also interesting to underscore the Interlagos Speedway, home of the city's Formula 1 Grand Prix. In a city this size, shopping is not only part of the itinerary, but also one of the main attractions. With its countless shopping malls, streets with specialized commerce and arts and crafts fairs, the city guarantees options for every taste.

São Paulo was founded by the Jesuits in 1554, on a plateau 2,493 feet above sea level, but only 45 miles from the coast, as a mission center for early settlers and the Indians who inhabited the area. For a long time it remained a small town. Around 1850 it began to grow and became richer thanks to the highly productive coffee plantations in the state. Later on, the income from coffee exports and the increasing population provided capital and manpower for the foundation of an industrial base. Today it is the industrial and financial center of Brazil generating over 30% of the GNP. (Source: Brazilian Embassy, Washington, DC.)

Brazil is Miami's number one trading partner totaling $8.9 billion in 2006 according to World City's Miami Trade Numbers 2007. Topping the list of Miami exports to Brazil in 2006 include computer parts, aircraft parts, and computers, while imports into Miami from Brazil include aircraft, cellular phone transmission parts, and footwear. Granite imports from Brazil spiked 33% in 2006 due to Florida retailers using granite as a finishing material. Motorola has a cell-phone assembly plant in Sumare, near São Paulo, and numerous technology companies have assembly facilities in Manaus on the Amazon River. Miami enjoys a trade surplus with Brazil exporting $6.6 billion worth of merchandise to Brazil in 2006. Most Brazilian imports arrive via Miami International Airport which handled $1.3 billion worth of imports in 2006, while the Port of Miami reached $380.5 million in imports. For more information on trading with Brazil, visit the BrazilTradeNet.