The City - 29th World Conference of Therapeutic Communities

CAMPINAS, a vibrant Brazilian municipality, is in the heart of São Paulo’s state interior, within the Southeast Region of Brazil. Strategically situated 90 km northwest of São Paulo, the state’s bustling capital, Campinas stretches across an expanse of 797.6 km². This area bifurcates into a lively urban core covering 238.323 km² and a serene 559.277 km² of rural landscape. As of 2015, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, its population reached 1,164,098 residents, positioning it as São Paulo’s third most populous city—after Guarulhos and São Paulo itself—and the fourteenth largest in Brazil. Moreover, Campinas stands proudly as the fifth-ranked city in the Best and Largest Brazilian Cities Index, a comprehensive analysis conducted by Delta Economics & Finance based on the 2010 IBGE Census and Ideb data.

Founded on July 14, 1774, Campinas has evolved significantly over the centuries. From the late 18th to the early 20th century, its economy thrived on coffee and sugarcane. However, the city witnessed a transformative shift in the 1930s, with industry and commerce emerging as the predominant economic drivers, cementing its status as a key regional industrial hub. Today, Campinas’ administrative structure is intricate, comprising six districts beyond its central area, further segmented into 14 regional administrations, five broad regions, and a mosaic of diverse neighborhoods.

In the contemporary era, Campinas, renowned as Brazil’s tenth wealthiest city, contributes at least 15% to the nation’s scientific output. This hallmark underscores its role as Brazil’s third most significant hub for research and development. The city is a treasure trove of historical, cultural, and scientific allure, boasting an array of museums, parks, and theaters. Among these cultural bastions is the esteemed Campinas Municipal Symphony Orchestra, established in 1974 and acclaimed as one of the nation’s foremost musical ensembles.

The Metropolitan Region of Campinas, a conglomerate of twenty municipalities in São Paulo, is home to over three million people. This makes it the tenth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil. In conjunction with Greater São Paulo and Baixada Santista, it forms part of the pioneering Expanded Metropolitan Complex—the first macro metropolis of the southern hemisphere—encompassing over thirty million inhabitants, about 75% of the state’s total population.

For additional insights into this dynamic city, visit http://www.campinas.com.br/