Campinas, Brazil

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Aeroporto Internacional de Viracopos

History

The present city center was the site of an encampment established by bandeirantes from São Paulo. Later in the 18th century the fertile soil of this region also attracted farmers, who grew sugar-cane. About 1842, when there were already more than a hundred sugar-cane plantations in the area, came the coffee boom. Then the discovery and the extraction of minerals promoted the industrialization of the town, which has now developed into a major economic and industrial center.

During the period of military dictatorship, thanks to the initiative of Colonel Zeferio Vaz, a large landowner, the São Paulo State University (Unicamp; founded 1969) offered refuge to many professors. The University now has some 100,000 students.