Aracaju

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Coordinates: 10°55′S, 37°′W
Aracaju, Sergipe
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Motto: Pax et Labore
Country	Brazil
Region	Northeast
State	Sergipe
Founded	1592
Incorporated (as capital)	March 17, 1855
Government
- Mayor	Edvaldo Nogueira
Elevation	4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Population (2006)
- City	505,286
- Density	2,903.9/km² (7,521.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC-3)
- Summer (DST)	UTC-2 (UTC-2)
Website: Aracaju

Aracaju is the capital city of the Sergipe State in Brazil. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, about 350km north of Salvador. It has a population around 470,000 inhabitants, which represents approximately 33% of the state population. Sugar cane and petroleum extraction are its main economic activities.

[edit] History

Although the Portuguese founded a colony here in 1592, the capital of the infant state of Sergipe was moved to nearby São Cristóvão (Saint Christopher). Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, there was a sudden vogue for purpose-built administrative centres (similar to the urge that led to the construction of Brasilia a century later), and the core of modern Aracaju was thrown up overnight, becoming the state capital again in 1855.

Church located around where it's believed to be the origins of Aracaju

Unlike the other Brazilian state capitals planned and built in the nineteenth century, Aracaju is known throughout the country for its modern looks, some festivals and carnival, and is known to have some good beaches, among other attractions. Though most tourists rush to Rio to visit its celebrated beaches, a local secret and national treasure is the Northeast and among the many jewels lies Aracaju. Oil wealth, sugar cane, and tourism continues to stimulated its growing economy, renovations, and continues to allow the city to shine in its splendor as the capital of Sergipe. Colonial towns of Laranjeiras and São Cristóvão are only a short bus ride away (Adapted from The Rough Guide to Brazil (2000), UK).