Situated on the shores of an immense lagoon, the "lagoa dos patos" (literally "duck lagoon"), the state capital is the sixth-largest city in the country, and the most industrialized in the south: skyscrapers and a river port on the banks of the Rio Guaiba form a picture reminiscent of the countries of the north. The city's influence was less Portuguese than German or Italian, whose colonies settled here en masse at the turn of the century. In 1742, 60 Portuguese arrived from the Azores, soon to be joined by Germans, Italians, Ukrainians and Poles, who became cattle breeders. After a few scuffles with the Argentinians, the town prospered to become this regional industrial metropolis of 1.4 million inhabitants. A few parks give the city a bucolic air. The 2001 World Social Forum undoubtedly conferred on the gaucha city the deserved image of a vanguard in the fight for equality and social development. But the city has also managed to preserve its architectural heritage, with many old buildings being renovated, such as the "gasometro". A dynamic city, it attracts above all business tourism. Interesting museums, lively parks and boat trips on the Rio Guaiba make Porto Alegre a pleasant stopover. The very chic Moinho do Vento district, and the more bohemian Cidade Baixa, are pleasant places to live and play, lively day and night. Last but not least, Porto Alegre has become a major artistic center.

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