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São Luís, Maranhão

São Luís
Municipality
The Municipality of
São Luís do Maranhão
São Luís do Maranhão - Capital.jpg
Flag of São Luís
Flag
Coat of arms of São Luís
Coat of arms
Location of São Luís
Location of São Luís
São Luís is located in Brazil
São Luís
São Luís
Location in Brazil
Coordinates: 2°31′42″S 44°18′16″W / 2.52833°S 44.30444°W / -2.52833; -44.30444
Country  Brazil
Region Northeast
State Bandeira do Maranhão.svg Maranhão
Founded September 8, 1612
Government
 • Mayor Edivaldo Holanda Jr. (PDT)
Area
 • Municipality 827.141 km2 (319.360 sq mi)
Elevation 4 m (12 ft)
Population (2010 IBGE)
 • Municipality 1,011,943
 • Density 1,183.4/km2 (3,064.9/sq mi)
 • Metro 1,227,659
Time zone UTC-3 (UTC-3)
Postal Code 65000-000
Area code(s) +55 98
Website São Luís, Maranhão
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historic Centre of São Luís
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Reviver.JPG
Location Brazil
Type Cultural
Criteria iii, iv, v
Reference 821
UNESCO region Latin America and the Caribbean
Inscription history
Inscription 1997 (21st Session)

São Luís (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w luˈis], Saint Louis) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. The city is located on Ilha de São Luís (Saint Louis' Island) in the Baía de São Marcos (Saint Mark's Bay), an extension of the Atlantic Ocean which forms the estuary of Pindaré, Mearim, Itapecuru and other rivers. Its coordinates are 2.53° south, 44.30° west. The city proper has a population of some 986,826 people (2008 IBGE estimate). The metropolitan area totals 1,227,659, ranked as the 16th largest in Brazil.

São Luís, created originally as Saint-Louis, is the only Brazilian state capital founded by France (see France Équinoxiale) and it is one of the three Brazilian state capitals located on islands (the others are Vitória and Florianópolis).

The city has two major sea ports: Madeira Port and Itaqui Port, through which a substantial part of Brazil's iron ore, originating from the (pre)-Amazon region, is exported. The city's main industries are metallurgical with Alumar, and VALE. São Luís is home of the Federal University of Maranhão.


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