View source for Porto Alegre

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil}}
{{other uses}}
{{distinguish|Portalegre, Portugal}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Porto Alegre
| settlement_type    = [[Municipalities of Brazil|Municipality]]
| official_name      = ''Município de Porto Alegre''<br />Municipality of Porto Alegre
| motto              = ''Leal e Valorosa Cidade de Porto Alegre''<br />Loyal and Valiant City of Porto Alegre
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
|border            = infobox
|perrow            = 1/3/2/2
|total_width       = 290
|caption_align = center
 | image1   = Porto_Alegre_Skyline.jpg
 | caption1 = [[Skyline]] of Porto Alegre and [[Guaíba Lake]]
 | image2   = A_colorida_Casa_de_Cultura.jpg
 | caption2 = Mario Quintana House of Culture
 | image3   = Laçador.jpg
 | caption3 = Statue of ''Laçador''
 | image4   = Gasometro_Guaiba.JPG
 | caption4 = Gasometer Plant
 | image5   = Monumento_aos_expedicionários_-_Parque_Farroupilha_1.jpg
 | caption5 = [[Farroupilha Park]]
 | image6   = Porto_Alegre_2012_Nokia_N8_-_panoramio.jpg
 | caption6 = [[Monument to the Azoreans]] and Administrative Center 
 | image7   = Porto Alegre por Cristine Huff 12.jpg
 | caption7 = [[Iberê Camargo Foundation]]
 | image8   = Igreja Nossa Senhora das Dores - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil (cropped).jpg
 | caption8 = Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows
 | color  = white
}}
| image_flag         = Bandeira de Porto Alegre.svg
| image_seal         = Brasao_portoalegre_rs_brasil.svg
| image_map          = Brazil Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre location map.svg
| pushpin_map        = Brazil#South America
| pushpin_mapsize    = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Brazil|Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[States of Brazil|State]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Mesoregions of Brazil|Mesoregion]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Microregions of Brazil|Microregion]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Brazil}}
| subdivision_name1  = [[Southern Region, Brazil|South]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{flag|Rio Grande do Sul}}
| subdivision_name3  = [[Metropolitan Porto Alegre]]
| subdivision_name4  = Microregion of Porto Alegre
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Porto Alegre|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Sebastião Melo ([[Brazilian Democratic Movement|MDB]])
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = {{start date and age|1772|3|26|df=y}}
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 496.827
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_sq_mi   = 
| population_demonym = Porto-alegrenses
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_footnotes = <ref>[https://cidades.ibge.gov.br/brasil/rs/porto-alegre/panorama IBGE 2022]</ref>
| population_total   = 1,332,845 ([[List of largest cities in Brazil|11th]])
| population_density_km2 = 2,837.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_metro   = 4,405,769 ([[List of largest cities in Brazil|4th]])
<!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type1       = [[GDP|GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)]]
| demographics1_footnotes  = 
| demographics1_title1     = Year
| demographics1_info1      = 2023
| demographics1_title2     = Total
| demographics1_info2      = $77.7&nbsp;billion<ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_bra.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TelluBase—Brazil Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)| access-date = 2024-01-11}}</ref>
| timezone           = [[UTC|UTC−3]]
| utc_offset         = -3
| coordinates        = {{coord|30|01|59|S|51|13|48|W|region:BR|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 10
| elevation_ft       = 
| area_code          = +55 51
| postal_code_type   = Postal Code
| postal_code        = 90000-000
| blank_name         = '''[[Human Development Index|HDI]]''' (2010)
| blank_info         = 0.805  – <span style="color:#090">very high</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ranking IDHM 2010 |url=http://www.pnud.org.br/arquivos/ranking-idhm-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233352/http://www.pnud.org.br/arquivos/ranking-idhm-2010.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP)
}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.prefeitura.poa.br}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Porto Alegre''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˌ|p|ɔːr|t|uː|_|ə|ˈ|l|ɛ|ɡ|r|eɪ}}, {{IPAc-en|US|-|_|ɑː|ˈ|l|eɪ|ɡ|r|i|,_|ˌ|p|ɔːr|t|oʊ|_|ə|ˈ|l|ɛ|ɡ|r|ə}},<ref>[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Pôrto+Alegre "Pôrto Alegre"]{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (US) and {{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/P%C3%B4rto+Alegre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818042646/https://www.lexico.com/definition/porto_alegre?s=t |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-08-18 |title=Pôrto Alegre |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Porto Alegre|access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|pt-BR|ˈpoʁtu aˈlɛɡɾi, -tw aˈ-|lang|Br-PortoAlegre.ogg}}; {{lit|Joyful Harbor}}) is the capital and largest city of the [[Brazil]]ian [[Federative units of Brazil|state]] of [[Rio Grande do Sul]]. Its population of 1.3 million inhabitants (2022) makes it the [[List of largest cities in Brazil|11th-most populous city in the country]] and the center of Brazil's [[List of metropolitan areas in Brazil|fifth-largest metropolitan area]], with 4.4 million inhabitants (2010). The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iguide.travel/Porto_Alegre/Introduction |title=Location of Porto Alegre |publisher=Iguide.travel |access-date=2010-10-21}}</ref>

Porto Alegre was founded in 1769 by Manuel Jorge Gomes de Sepúlveda, who used the pseudonym José Marcelino de Figueiredo to hide his identity; the official date, though, is 1772 with the act signed by [[Immigration to Brazil|immigrants]] from the [[Azores]], [[Portugal]].

The city lies on the eastern bank of the [[Guaíba Lake]], where five rivers converge to form the [[Lagoa dos Patos]], a giant freshwater [[lagoon]] navigable by even the largest of ships. This five-river junction has become an important alluvial port and a chief industrial and commercial center of Brazil.

In recent years, Porto Alegre hosted the [[World Social Forum]], an initiative of several nongovernment organizations. The city became famous for being the first city that implemented [[participatory budgeting]].<ref>{{cite web |title=More generous than you might think |author=Eva-Maria Verfürth |publisher=dandc.eu |date=February 2013 |url=http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/participatory-budgeting-about-every-voice-being-heard |access-date=2013-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521035422/http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/participatory-budgeting-about-every-voice-being-heard |archive-date=2013-05-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 9th Assembly of the [[World Council of Churches]] was held in Porto Alegre in 2006. Since 2000, Porto Alegre also hosts one of the world's largest [[free software]] events, called [[FISL]]. The city was one of the host cities of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], having previously been a venue for the [[1950 FIFA World Cup]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Porto Alegre}}
[[File:Wendroth02.jpg|thumb|left|Porto Alegre in 1852]]
[[File:Praça Otávio Rocha - 1930.jpg|thumb|right|Otávio Rocha Square in 1930]]
{{see also|Timeline of Porto Alegre}}
The official date of the foundation of the city of Porto Alegre is 26 March 1772, by Manuel Sepúlveda, when Freguesia de São Francisco do Porto dos Casais was created and changed a year later to Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus de Porto Alegre. However, the village started in 1752, when 60 [[Azorean people|Azorean]] couples were brought over by the [[Treaty of Madrid (13 January 1750)|Treaty of Madrid]] to set up Missions at the Northeast Region of [[Rio Grande do Sul]] that was handed over to the Portuguese Crown in exchange for the [[Sacramento Colony]] located on the margin of the [[Plata River]]. Land demarcation took a long time and the Azoreans settled permanently at Porto de Viamão, which was the first name by which Porto Alegre went.<ref name="portoalegre.travel">{{cite web|url=http://www.portoalegre.travel/site/ing/info_servicos.php?idIndice=7&bitPesquisa=1|title=PortoAlegre.travel|website=Portoalegre.travel|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013064608/http://www.portoalegre.travel/site/ing/info_servicos.php?idIndice=7&bitPesquisa=1|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 24 July 1773, Porto Alegre became the capital city of the province, when the administration of Manuel Sepúlveda, who used the fictitious name or pseudonym José Marcelino de Figueiredo, to hide his identity, officially started. In 1824, immigrants from all over the world started arriving, especially [[German colonization in Rio Grande do Sul|German]], [[Italian people|Italian]], [[Spanish people|Spanish]], [[Polish people|Polish]], [[Jewish]], and [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alegre|first=Prefeitura Municipal de Porto|title=Turismo|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/default.php?p_secao=257|access-date=2021-05-15|website=www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|language=pt-br|archive-date=2014-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828021440/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/turismo/default.php?p_secao=257|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:Correio_da_Manhã_AN_389.jpg|thumb|left|Porto Alegre in 1961]]

The capital city of Rio Grande do Sul is also the capital city in the [[Pampas]] region, the name given to the region of fauna and flora typical of the vast plains that dominate the landscape of the southern tip of Brazil, and parts of [[Argentina]] and [[Uruguay]], from where the ''[[gaúcho]]'' comes, the historical figure of a brave warrior who fought legendary battles and wars in the quest to conquer the borders of the kingdoms of Portugal and Spain in the 16th century.<ref name="portoalegre.travel"/>

Many wars occurred in the years before, but the 19th century marked its people, after they fought a long war for their independence from the [[Brazilian Empire]]. The [[Farrapos]] War started with the confrontation in Porto Alegre, near the [[Azenha Bridge|Azenha bridge]] on 20 September 1835. This conflict began the myth of the gaucho who is still praised in songs and celebrated in annual pageants and honored as names of streets and parks.<ref name="portoalegre.travel"/>

When the Farrapos War ended, the city continued to develop and underwent strong urban restructuring during the last decades of the 18th century, driven by the accelerated growth of port-related activities and shipyards. Its development continued over time and the city kept abreast with cultural, political and social events that were taking place within Brazil.

The city became known worldwide in 1963 through hosting the [[World University Games]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spotlight: Porto Alegre 1963 Summer Universiade memories|url=https://www.fisu.net/news/summer-universiade/spotlight-porto-alegre-1963-summer-universiade-memories|access-date=2021-01-31|website=www.fisu.net|date=4 November 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1985, the people of Porto Alegre joined the movement for [[free elections]] and one of the largest demonstrations took place in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=History of Porto Alegre |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>
[[File:05.05.2024 - Sobrevoo das áreas afetadas pelas chuvas em Canoas - 53700500641.jpg|thumb|Downtown Porto Alegre flooded in 2024]]In 2024, the city and other neighboring areas were [[2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods|flooded]] due to heavy rain.

==The city==
The city is on a [[River delta|delta]] resulting from the junction of five rivers, officially called [[Guaíba Lake]] (popularly mentioned as a river, too). The city dates from the mid-18th century, when colonist from the Azores, islands in the Atlantic Ocean that are part of Portugal, settled in the area, sponsored by the Portuguese colonyimmi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Brazil_History |title=General History of Brazil |work=Brazil History on Family Search |access-date=January 7, 2021 }}</ref> The city was officially established in 1742.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://recantodasletras.uol.com.br/mensagensdeaniversario/421892 |title=History of Porto Alegre |publisher=Recantodasletras.uol.com.br |date=2007-03-22 |access-date=2010-10-21 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Porto Alegre is one of the wealthiest cities in Latin America<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/infocidade/default.php?p_secao=30 |title=Porto Alegre's Rank |publisher=.portoalegre.rs.gov.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015635/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/infocidade/default.php?p_secao=30 |archive-date=2011-05-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> and one of the most diverse. Its residents includes indigenous Brazilians, afro-Brazilians, immigrants from [[Portuguese Brazilian|Portugal]], [[Russian Brazilian|Russia]], [[German Brazilian|Germany]], [[Italian Brazilian|Italy]], [[Spanish immigration to Brazil|Spain]], [[Ukrainian Brazilian|Ukraine]] and [[Polish Brazilian|Poland]]. There are also significant [[Arab Brazilian|Arab]] and [[History of the Jews in Brazil|Jewish]] contingents among its population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brazucasoccer.com.br/news/about-porto-alegre-city/ |title=About Porto Alegre City :: Brazuca Soccer Sports & Events |access-date=2014-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316051229/http://www.brazucasoccer.com.br/news/about-porto-alegre-city/ |archive-date=2014-03-16 }}</ref> The [[Afro-Brazilian]] population of the state tends to be concentrated in the city.

Before this,{{when|date=January 2021}} Porto Alegre was the port of [[Viamão]] on the shore of Guaíba Lake. Its previous name was Porto dos Casais (Port of the Couples). and it was initially settled by [[Azores|Azoreans]]. Many families of settlers came from the city of [[Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul|Rio Grande]] in the littoral Lagunar region, to the south, a military fortress at that time. Today [[Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul|Rio Grande]] is the most important port of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is also known as "Porto do Sol" (Port of the Sun) and "Cidade Sorriso" (Smile City).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Porto Alegre City&nbsp;– Names |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> More than 70 [[neighborhood]]s (see below) are part of the city and two-thirds of the population are concentrated in the Zona Norte (Northern Zone), where most of the economic activity, including the city center, takes place.

Porto Alegre was the seat of the [[World Social Forum]] in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2010. As the second largest city in southern Brazil, it is an important industrial center in the area. It is also a center for ''[[gaucho|gaúcho]]'' (the popular name for natives of the state) history and culture, famous for its ''[[churrasco]]'' (barbecue) and ''[[chimarrão]]'' (a strong and hot tea prepared from [[yerba mate|erva mate]]). In 2000, the [[literacy rate]] was 97%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/infocidade/default.php?p_secao=30 |title=Literacy rate of Porto Alegre |publisher=.portoalegre.rs.gov.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015635/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/infocidade/default.php?p_secao=30 |archive-date=2011-05-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> The high [[quality of life]] is one of the city's main features.

==Geography==
[[File:Porto Alegre skyline.jpg|thumb|right|Historic Center of Porto Alegre]]
[[File:Porto Alegre - panoramio - Andervaz (1).jpg|thumb|Porto Alegre seen from Santa Tereza Hill]]
The city of Porto Alegre is located at the northern end of the large coastal lagoon, [[Lagoa dos Patos]] in southeastern Brazil. The city lies on the east bank of the mouth of the Rio Guaiba, the estuary of which forms the enormous freshwater lagoon, Lagoa dos Patos. Also joining the Guaíba at Porto Alegre are the [[Jacuí River]], the [[Sinos River]], the [[Gravataí River]] and the [[Caí River]], all tributaries of Guaíba just before it empties into Lagoa dos Patos.

Porto Alegre has a long coastline on the [[Guaíba Lake]], and its topography is punctuated by 40 hills. In the lake, a vast body of water, a maze of islands facing the city creates an archipelago where a unique [[ecosystem]] gives shelter to abundant wildlife. The city area concentrates 28% of the [[Atlantic Forest|native flora]] of Rio Grande do Sul, with 9,288 species.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Quadros |first1=Fernando Luiz Ferreira de |last2=Pillar |first2=Valério De Patta |title=Vegetation dynamics of natural grassland under treatments of burning and grazing |journal=Ciência Rural |date=October 2001 |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=863–868 |doi=10.1590/S0103-84782001000500020 |doi-access=free |hdl=10183/22423 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Among these, there are many trees which are vestiges of the [[Atlantic Forest]]. Fauna are also diversified, especially in the islands and hills. The Portoalegrense environs include many parks, squares and wooded streets.

===Climate===
{{climate chart
| Porto Alegre
|20.6|30.5|110.1|20.5|30.2|106.5
|19.5|29.1|92.2
|16.5|25.9|107.3|13.3|22.2|118.8|10.8|19.8|141.3
|10.1|19.3|141.3
|11.1|21.3|117.4|12.8|22.1|141.5
|15.3|25.0|138.3
|17.1|27.4|110.9
|19.0|29.5|99.6
|float=left
}}

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Porto Alegre has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') characterized by its high variability, but with well-defined seasons and evenly distributed rain throughout the year. The presence of [[Lake Guaíba]] contributes to increase the humidity of the air.<ref>Penter, Camila et alii. "Inventário Rápido da Fauna de Mamíferos do Morro Santana, Porto Alegre, RS". In: Revista Brasileira de Biociências, Porto Alegre, v. 6, n. 1, jan./mar. 2008. p. 119</ref> The city experiences the most prominent difference among seasons and between temperature extremes among all Brazilian capitals. One reason for that is its much more southerly position relative to the rest of the country, which also contributes for the occurrence of 14 hours of daylight in December and 10 hours in June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://astro.if.ufrgs.br/dia.htm|title=Duracao do Dia|website=astro.if.ufrgs.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022064942/http://astro.if.ufrgs.br/dia.htm|archive-date=22 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to a large depletion in the ozone layer over the south of Brazil, a result of the [[Antarctic ozone hole]],<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.5194/ANGEO-36-405-2018 | title=Report of a large depletion in the ozone layer over southern Brazil and Uruguay by using multi-instrumental data | year=2018 | last1=Bresciani | first1=C. | last2=Bittencourt | first2=Gabriela Dornelles | last3=Bageston | first3=J. | last4=Pinheiro | first4=D. | last5=Schuch | first5=N. | last6=Bencherif | first6=H. | last7=Leme | first7=N. | last8=Peres | first8=L. | journal=Annales Geophysicae | volume=36 | issue=2 | pages=405–413 | bibcode=2018AnGeo..36..405B | s2cid=55506074 | doi-access=free }}</ref> the population is occasionally dangerously exposed to extremely high [[UV radiation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zh.clicrbs.com.br/rs/noticia/2008/01/rs-e-o-estado-brasileiro-com-maior-incidencia-de-raios-ultravioleta-1730899.html|title=GaúchaZH - notícias, porto alegre, grêmio, inter, colunistas, jogos ao vivo e mais|website=Zh.clicrbs.com.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072908/http://zh.clicrbs.com.br/rs/noticia/2008/01/rs-e-o-estado-brasileiro-com-maior-incidencia-de-raios-ultravioleta-1730899.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Porto Alegre vista do shopping Pontal.jpg|thumb|270px|Porto Alegre bay as seen from Pontal Mall in the Cristal neighbourhood]] 
The winter is mild to cool, windy, rainy and quite changeable, which is also a feature of this time of the year. Usual winter temperatures range from {{convert|10|°C|°F}} to {{convert|19|°C|°F}}. In the coldest days of the year the temperature may fall slightly below zero, like in 2012, when it recorded {{convert|-0.7|°C|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2012/06/temperaturas-caem-ainda-mais-pela-manha-e-frio-chega-62c-no-rs.html |title=Temperatura cai mais no RS, chega a -6,3°C e geada atinge até Porto Alegre |language=Portuguese |work=g1.globo.com |date=6 August 2012 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref> The summers are very hot, with temperatures that go up to {{convert|30|°C|°F}}, sometimes reaching {{convert|40|°C|°F}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.climatempo.com.br/noticia/2020/01/01/possivel-recorde-historico-de-calor-em-porto-alegre-1054#:~:text=Campo%20Bom%2C%20na%20regi%C3%A3o%20metropolitana,m%C3%A1xima%20de%2041%C2%B0C |title=Possível recorde histórico de calor em Porto Alegre |work=Cimatempo.com.br |language=Portuguese |date=1 January 2020 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> Sometimes, summer usually has irregular rains and periods of drought.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/verao/ver%C3%A3o-inicia-neste-domingo-com-alto-risco-de-estiagem-no-rio-grande-do-sul-1.388647 |title=Verão inicia neste domingo com alto risco de estiagem no Rio Grande do Sul |work=Correio do Povo |language=Portuguese |date=21 December 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref> Fall tends to be as changeable as winter, but is typically warmer. Spring is usually very rainy, with [[thunderstorms]], strong winds and [[hailstorms]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/ambiente/noticia/2019/09/mais-de-300-raios-tocaram-o-solo-de-porto-alegre-na-terca-feira-incidencia-e-considerada-alta-ck0pj11tc033h01te2mv54bbn.html |title=Mais de 300 raios tocaram o solo de Porto Alegre na terça-feira; incidência é considerada alta |work=GZH Ambiente |language=Portuguese |date=18 September 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/%C3%A0-espera-do-vendaval-rio-grande-do-sul-tem-dez-cidades-em-situa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-de-emerg%C3%AAncia-1.377373 |title=À espera do vendaval, Rio Grande do Sul tem dez cidades em situação de emergência |work=Correio do Povo |language=Portuguese |date=2 November 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2019/10/31/chuva-de-granizo-danifica-casas-e-causa-alagamentos-na-zona-sul-de-porto-alegre.ghtml |title=Chuva de granizo danifica casas e causa alagamentos na Zona Sul de Porto Alegre |work=g1.globo.com |language=Portuguese |date=31 October 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref> The climate of Porto Alegre is very affected by [[El Niño]] phenomenon, with flooding in some neighborhoods of the city, especially in the islands in the Lake Guaiba.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/ambiente/noticia/2018/09/veja-como-sera-a-primavera-no-rio-grande-do-sul-cjm81k53o04bp01pxhw3yz2j7.html |title=Veja como será a primavera no Rio Grande do Sul |work=GZH Ambiente |language=Portuguese |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/primavera-deve-ter-inicio-chuvoso-e-temperaturas-amenas-no-rio-grande-do-sul.ghtml |title=Primavera deve ter início chuvoso e temperaturas amenas no Rio Grande do Sul |work=g1.globo.com |date=22 September 2017 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sul21.com.br/em-destaque/2015/12/temporais-enchentes-e-solidariedade-rs-sofreu-com-chuvas-historicas-em-2015/ |title=Temporais, enchentes e solidariedade: RS sofreu com chuvas históricas em 2015 |work=sul21.com |language=Portuguese |date=31 December 2015 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref> However, a drainage system and a wall along the Historic District were built after a major flood in 1941 that devastated the city, preventing further damage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2019/04/muro-da-maua-enchente-que-justifica-construcao-pode-so-ocorrer-em-15-mil-anos-cjuvpyfry00rr01p72xxz9myw.html |title=Muro da Mauá: enchente que justifica construção pode só ocorrer em 1,5 mil anos |work=GZH Ambiente |language=Portuguese |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/cultura-e-lazer/noticia/2011/05/livro-e-exposicao-relembram-enchente-de-1941-3329982.html |title=Livro e exposição relembram enchente de 1941 |work=GZH Ambiente |language=Portuguese |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

[[Snow]] is very rare, sometimes confused with [[Ice pellets|sleet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2014/01/porto-alegre-registra-granizo-em-dia-mais-quente-de-2014-diz-meteorologia.html|title=Porto Alegre registra granizo em dia mais quente de 2014, diz meteorologia|date=18 January 2014|website=G1.globo.com|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013014451/http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2014/01/porto-alegre-registra-granizo-em-dia-mais-quente-de-2014-diz-meteorologia.html|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The only [[snowfall]] events in Porto Alegre were in 1879, 1910, 1984, 1994, 2000 and 2006, and few of them featured accumulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2012/06/frio-se-intensifica-no-rs-e-porto-alegre-pode-ter-neve-nesta-quinta.html|title=Frio se intensifica no RS e Porto Alegre pode ter neve nesta quinta|date=4 June 2012|website=G1.globo.com|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013014248/http://g1.globo.com/rs/rio-grande-do-sul/noticia/2012/06/frio-se-intensifica-no-rs-e-porto-alegre-pode-ter-neve-nesta-quinta.html|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> However, frost sometimes occurs in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/rs-amanhece-com-frio-geada-e-temperaturas-negativas/ |title=RS amanhece com frio, geada e temperaturas negativas |work=Istoé Dinheiro |language=Portuguese |date=14 August 2019 |access-date=12 July 2021 }}</ref> Occurrence of [[Fog#Types|radiation fog]] is common, causing several delays in early flights. Unlike other large Brazilian cities much farther north, notably [[Brasília]], [[São Paulo]], and [[Rio de Janeiro]] who observe a pronounced summer maximum in precipitation amounts, the city of Porto Alegre experiences a prominent winter maximum in precipitation values and cloud cover, for the summer season is primarily hot and dry; though evidently high humidity levels often give a distinct mugginess to the air and negatively impacts air quality. According to 1981-2010 averages, Porto Alegre receives an average-total precipitation amount of {{convert|1,425|mm|in}}Annually. This average makes the city slightly wetter than Rio at {{convert|1,172|mm|in}} yet, to a very small extent, drier than both São Paulo at {{convert|1,457|mm|in}} and Brasilia at {{convert|1,557|mm|in}}.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inmet.gov.br/portal/index.php?r=clima/normaisClimatologicas |title=:: INMET - Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia :: |website=www.inmet.gov.br |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526170333/http://www.inmet.gov.br/portal/index.php?r=clima/normaisClimatologicas |archive-date=26 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Though 1991-2020 normals show annual precipitation figure rising to {{convert|1,498|mm|in}}.

The highest recorded unofficial temperature was {{convert|42.6|°C}} and the highest official one was {{convert|40.7|°C}}, recorded on January 1, 1943,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/ceic/default.php?reg=788&p_secao=4|title=CEIC - Centro Integrado de Comando da Cidade de Porto Alegre|first=Prefeitura Municipal de Porto|last=Alegre|website=2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> while the lowest official recorded temperature was {{convert|-4.0|°C||abbr=}} on July 11, 1918.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Metsul|first=Alexandre Aguiar /|url=https://www.correiodopovo.com.br/not%C3%ADcias/geral/os-100-anos-do-inverno-mais-gelado-no-rio-grande-do-sul-1.266591|title=Os 100 anos do inverno mais gelado no Rio Grande do Sul|accessdate=2023-04-08|website=Correio do Povo|date=7 July 2018 |language=pt-br}}</ref> 
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line = Yes
| location = Porto Alegre (1991–2020, extremes 1949–present)
|Jan record high C = 39.2
|Feb record high C = 39.0
|Mar record high C = 38.1
|Apr record high C = 36.0
|May record high C = 32.7
|Jun record high C = 31.6
|Jul record high C = 32.2
|Aug record high C = 34.9
|Sep record high C = 38.0
|Oct record high C = 38.2
|Nov record high C = 39.0
|Dec record high C = 40.3
|year record high C = 40.3<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/ambiente/noticia/2020/01/porto-alegre-registra-a-maior-temperatura-de-dezembro-em-103-anos-ck4x23n6n022q01nv6aimkzw8.html |title=Porto Alegre registra a maior temperatura de dezembro em 103 anos |work=GZH Ambiente |language=Portuguese |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|Jan record low C = 10.1
|Feb record low C = 11.9
|Mar record low C = 9.6
|Apr record low C = 4.5
|May record low C = 2.3
|Jun record low C = -1.9
|Jul record low C = -1.1
|Aug record low C = -1.2
|Sep record low C = 2.2
|Oct record low C = 4.9
|Nov record low C = 6.7
|Dec record low C = 10.0
|year record low C = -1.9
| Jan high C  =31.0
| Feb high C  =30.5
| Mar high C  =29.2
| Apr high C  =26.4
| May high C  =22.6
| Jun high C  =20.3
| Jul high C  =19.7
| Aug high C  =21.8
| Sep high C  =22.8
| Oct high C  =25.2
| Nov high C  =27.7
| Dec high C  =30.0
| year high C =
| Jan mean C  =25.0
| Feb mean C  =24.7
| Mar mean C  =23.5
| Apr mean C  =20.7
| May mean C  =17.2
| Jun mean C  =14.8
| Jul mean C  =14.1
| Aug mean C  =15.7
| Sep mean C  =17.2
| Oct mean C  =19.7
| Nov mean C  =21.7
| Dec mean C  =24.0
| year mean C =
| Jan low C  =20.7
| Feb low C  =20.7
| Mar low C  =19.5
| Apr low C  =16.8
| May low C  =13.5
| Jun low C  =11.3
| Jul low C  =10.4
| Aug low C  =11.6
| Sep low C  =13.3
| Oct low C  =15.7
| Nov low C  =17.2
| Dec low C  =19.4
| year low C =

|precipitation colour = green
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation mm  =120.7
| Feb precipitation mm  =110.8
| Mar precipitation mm  =103.3
| Apr precipitation mm  =114.4
| May precipitation mm  =112.8
| Jun precipitation mm  =130.4
| Jul precipitation mm  =163.5
| Aug precipitation mm  =120.1
| Sep precipitation mm  =147.8
| Oct precipitation mm  =153.2
| Nov precipitation mm  =105.5
| Dec precipitation mm  =115.7
| year precipitation mm =
| Jan precipitation days  =9.1
| Feb precipitation days  =9.1
| Mar precipitation days  =8.6
| Apr precipitation days  =8.5
| May precipitation days  =8.1
| Jun precipitation days  =8.8
| Jul precipitation days  =9.2
| Aug precipitation days  =8.9
| Sep precipitation days  =9.5
| Oct precipitation days  =9.9
| Nov precipitation days  =7.9
| Dec precipitation days  =8.7
| year precipitation days =

| Jan humidity    =73.0
| Feb humidity    =74.9
| Mar humidity    =75.7
| Apr humidity    =77.8
| May humidity    =81.5
| Jun humidity    =82.8
| Jul humidity    =81.3
| Aug humidity    =78.2
| Sep humidity    =77.4
| Oct humidity    =76.0
| Nov humidity    =72.1
| Dec humidity    =71.4
| year humidity   =
| Jan dew point C =20.5
| Feb dew point C =20.6
| Mar dew point C =19.6
| Apr dew point C =17.3
| May dew point C =14.6
| Jun dew point C =12.4
| Jul dew point C =11.4
| Aug dew point C =12.5
| Sep dew point C =13.7
| Oct dew point C =16.0
| Nov dew point C =17.1
| Dec dew point C =19.2

| Jan sun  =237.6
| Feb sun  =206.9
| Mar sun  =206.5
| Apr sun  =167.1
| May sun  =144.0
| Jun sun  =119.1
| Jul sun  =133.7
| Aug sun  =150.1
| Sep sun  =149.6
| Oct sun  =176.2
| Nov sun  =223.7
| Dec sun  =238.5
| Jan light = 13.8
| Feb light = 13.1
| Mar light = 12.2
| Apr light = 11.4
| May light = 10.6
| Jun light = 10.2
| Jul light = 10.4
| Aug light = 11.1
| Sep light = 11.9
| Oct light = 12.8
| Nov light = 13.6
| Dec light = 14.1
| year light= 
| Jan uv  =6
| Feb uv  =6
| Mar uv  =6
| Apr uv  =5
| May uv  =4
| Jun uv  =4
| Jul uv  =4
| Aug uv  =5
| Sep uv  =5
| Oct uv  =5
| Nov uv  =6
| Dec uv  =7
| year uv =
|source 1 = [[Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia]]<ref name=INMETtmax>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043914/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMAX.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMAX.xlsx
| title = Temperatura Máxima Mensal e Anual (°C)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMETtmed>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043931/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMEDSECA.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMEDSECA.xlsx
| title = Temperatura Média Compensada Mensal e Anual (°C)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMETtmin>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324044001/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMIN.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-TMIN.xlsx
| title = Temperatura Mínima Mensal e Anual (°C)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMETprecip>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043703/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-PREC.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-PREC.xlsx
| title = Precipitação Acumulada Mensal e Anual (mm)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMETprecipdays>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324044003/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-PRENDIAS1.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-PRENDIAS1.xlsx
| title = Número de dias no mês ou no ano com precipitação maior ou igual a (1 mm) (dias)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMEThumidity>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043838/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-UR.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-UR.xlsx
| title = Umidade Relativa do Ar Compensada Mensal e Anual (%)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=INMETinsolacion>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220324043829/https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-INSO.xlsx
| archive-date = 24 March 2022
| url = https://portal.inmet.gov.br/uploads/normais/Normal-Climatologica-INSO.xlsx
| title =Insolação Total (horas)
| work = Normais Climatológicas do Brasil 1991-2020
| publisher = Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
| language = pt
| access-date = 25 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="Temperatura-INMET-83967-Porto-Alegre-RS">INMET. [http://www.inmet.gov.br/projetos/rede/pesquisa/gera_serie_txt.php?&mRelEstacao=83967&btnProcesso=serie&mRelDtInicio=01/01/1961&mRelDtFim=31/12/2020&mAtributos=,,1,1,,,,,,,,,,,,, BDMEP - série histórica - dados diários - temperatura máxima (°C), temperatura mínima (°C) - Porto Alegre]. Acesso em 19 ago. 2014.</ref><ref name="Produto Climatológico desenvolvido pela Seção de Meteorologia Aeronáutica da Divisão de Pesquisa do ICEA">Departamento de Controle do Espaço Aéreo - DECEA. Acesso em 04 out. 2023.</ref>
|source 2= NOAA<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Brazil/CSV/PORTO_ALEGRE_83967.csv |format=CSV |title=1991-2020 climate normals: Porto Alegre, Brazil |access-date=13 January 2024 |publisher=NOAA}}</ref> Weather atlas(Daylight-UV)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/brazil/porto-alegre-climate |title=Climate and monthly weather forecast Porto Alegre, Brazil |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Weather Atlas}}</ref>
}}

===Vegetation===
[[File:Parque Farroupilha (5604359574).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Farroupilha Park vegetation]]
[[File:Rua Gonçalo de Carvalho.jpg|thumb|''[[Tipuana]]'' on Gonçalo de Carvelho Street]]
[[File:Chafariz-parquefarropupilha.jpg|thumb|[[Roystonea oleracea]] in Porto Alegre]]
Porto Alegre lies in a transitional area between the [[subtropical]] forest and the Southern Brazilian grasslands (pampa). A number of conservation programmes have been established to protect [[Endemism|native]] trees. Many of the city's avenues have been planted with different tree [[species]]. One striking example of this is Teresópolis Avenue, where bottle trees have been planted. The city is covered in green vegetation and Lapacho and Jacaranda are the main species that can be found locally. The trees from the hills are protected. Two environmental conservation areas can be found in this city: "Delta do Jacuí" ([[Jacuí Delta]]) State Park and Lami Biological Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_brazil.htm |title=Vegetation in Porto Alegre |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130135211/http://reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_brazil.htm |archive-date=2010-11-30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The urban area has many parks and plazas, making Porto Alegre one of the greenest provincial capitals in Brazil. The first city squares date from the second half of the 18th century and were originally large public spaces used as food markets. The city has {{convert|39|km2|acre|abbr=on}} of green space, occupying 31 percent of the city's area.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} This is an average of 17.6&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> per person. More than one million trees line the public streets and SMAM plants an average of 30,000 seedlings each year. The four main parks are: Parque Farroupilha, a {{convert|37|ha|acre|adj=on}} park; Jardim Botânico (The [[Botanical Garden of Porto Alegre]]), with some 725 species of vegetation on about {{convert|43|ha|acre}} of land; and Parque Marinha do Brasil (The [[Brazilian Navy]]'s [[Park]]), a vast park of more than {{convert|70|ha|acre}} which offers a wide variety of sports fields and tracks. The city's [[cycleway]] is called the Caminho dos Parques, which at over {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=in}} long links the Moinhos do Vento, Farroupilha and Guaíba shore parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Green areas in Porto Alegre |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil|archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

The [[Lami José Lutzenberger Biological Reserve]] was established in 1975 in the Lami neighborhood of Porto Alegre, named after the local agronomist and environmentalist [[José Lutzenberger]]. It was the first municipal reserve in Brazil. The reserve covers {{convert|179|ha}}. It reopened in April 2002 after being closed for more than ten years to allow its ecosystems to recover.<ref>{{citation|title=Cantinho Ecológico|language=pt|author=Marco Aurélio|year=2015|journal=A Semana|url=http://www.jornalasemana.net/coluna/cantinho_ecologico/2/107|access-date=2016-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505041928/http://www.jornalasemana.net/coluna/cantinho_ecologico/2/107|archive-date=2016-05-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
The reserve conserves nature and supports research and environmental education.<ref>{{citation|language=pt|title=Reserva Biológica do Lami José Lutzenberger|publisher=SMAM: Secretaria Municipal do Meio Ambiente de Porto Alegre|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/smam/default.php?p_secao=156|access-date=2016-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723032905/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/smam/default.php?p_secao=156|archive-date=2015-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Water===
[[File:Vista do Parque Estadual do Delta do Jacuí com Porto Alegre ao fundo.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Aerial view of Porto Alegre and Guaíba Lake basin]]
[[Sanitary sewer|Sewer]] service is available to 87.7 percent of the city, and 100 percent of the population is serviced by [[Water treatment|treated]] water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/dmae/default.php?p_secao=318|title=DMAE|first=Prefeitura Municipal de Porto|last=Alegre|website=2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024055037/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/dmae/default.php?p_secao=318|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> While in most Brazilian cities the water is supplied by large state companies, in Porto Alegre the Municipal Department of Water and Sanitation Services, (DMAE) is the provider. It is the largest municipal water supplier in the country and enjoys operational autonomy and financial independence. As a separate entity from the municipal government it can make its own decisions on how to invest revenues it has collected, and such decisions are not directly subject to interference from the municipality. It receives no subsidies and makes no payments to the municipality itself. As a municipal undertaking, DMAE enjoys tax-exempt status, which allows it to keep water prices lower.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Water system in Porto Alegre |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Reflexos do céu.jpg
| width1            = 225
| caption1          = Water Mirror at Redenção Park
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Farroupilha_Park_in_Porto_Alegre,_Brazil_.jpg
| width2            = 225
| caption2          = Redenção Park garden
}}

In 2010, the [[Inter-American Development Bank]] (IDB) approved a US$83.2&nbsp;million to support the Integrated Socioenvironmental Program of Porto Alegre. The program will be carried out by the Municipal Department of Management and Strategic Support and will focus on improving [[water quality]] in Guaíba Lake and the Cavalhada River, developing urban infrastructure to reduce flood risk along the Cavalhada River, improving the environmental management in the Municipality of Porto Alegre, and promoting efficient municipal water, sanitation and storm drainage services. This program will improve the quality of life of the population of Porto Alegre by restoring water quality along the west side of Lake Guaíba and directly benefitting more than 700,000 residents through expanded public sanitation services and urban environmental improvement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Water+Resources/articles/22/Improving+Environmental+Quality+Porto+Alegre |title=Integrated Socioenvironmental Program of Porto Alegre |publisher=Zimbio.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712193216/http://www.zimbio.com/Water+Resources/articles/22/Improving+Environmental+Quality+Porto+Alegre |archive-date=2010-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Jacuí estuary contains the Jacuí Delta State Park, which in turn contains the [[Banhados do Delta Biological Reserve]], a fully protected area which covers the islands of Pólvora and Pombas.<ref>{{citation|language=pt|title=Parque e APA Estadual do Delta do Jacuí|publisher=Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul|url=http://www3.pucrs.br/pucrs/files/uni/poa/fau/pdf/mod_apres.pdf|access-date=2016-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530113333/http://www3.pucrs.br/pucrs/files/uni/poa/fau/pdf/mod_apres.pdf|archive-date=2016-05-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Air quality===
[[Motor vehicle]]s are responsible for the main atmospheric pollutant emissions. The city has the second worst air quality in Brazil, after only [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especiais/jsp/default.jsp?newsID=a2181723.htm&template=3847.dwt&section=Not%C3%ADcias&espid=21|title=Porto Alegre é a segunda capital do Brasil com mais poluentes no ar|website=Clicrbs.com.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013024912/http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especiais/jsp/default.jsp?newsID=a2181723.htm&template=3847.dwt&section=Not%C3%ADcias&espid=21|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The use of new buses along dedicated busways has decreased pollutants as there is less idling time. SMAM (the Municipal Council of the Environment) has encouraged the use of the cleanest fuels and has played a role in monitoring pollution levels.

A partnership between SMAM, the [[Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul]], the State Environmental Protection Foundation (FEPAM) and [[Petrobrás]] has created a network of five air monitoring stations in Porto Alegre. By utilizing a Petrobrás product called city diesel, [[sulphur]] levels in the air have dropped from 1.2 percent in 1989 to 0.5 percent. [[Hybrid bus]]es which run on both diesel and electricity are also being considered for the future. Because Porto Alegre has a ready supply of [[natural gas]], the city's taxi fleet is gradually being converted to it from gasoline.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Air quality in the city |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{see also|Brazilians|Demographics of Brazil|Immigration to Brazil}}
[[File:Parque Farroupilha - Porto Alegre, RS - panoramio (5).jpg|thumb|right|Arc de Triomphe in Porto Alegre]]

===Ethnic groups===
{{bar box
|title    = Race and ethnicity in Porto Alegre 
|width    = 287px
|titlebar = #ddd
|left1    = Ethnicity
|right1   = Percentage
|float    = left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[White Brazilian|White]]|Blue|73.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Pardo]] ([[Multiracial#Brazil|Multiracial]])|green|13.4}}
{{bar percent|[[Black Brazilian|Black]]|Black|12.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Indigenous peoples in Brazil|Amerindian]]|red|0.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Asian Brazilian|Asian]]|yellow|0.2}}
}}

According to the [[2022 Brazilian census|2022 census]], there were 1,332,845 people residing in the city of Porto Alegre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Censo 2022 - Panorama |url=https://censo2022.ibge.gov.br/panorama/}}</ref> The census revealed the following numbers: 981,251 [[White Brazilian|White]] people (73.6%), 178,354 [[Pardo]] ([[Multiracial#Brazil|Multiracial]]) people (13.4%), 168,196 [[Afro-Brazilian|Black]] people (12.6%), 2,708 [[Indigenous peoples in Brazil|Amerindian]] people (0.2%), 2,306 [[Asian Brazilian|Asian]] people (0.2%).<ref>{{cite web |title=Censo 2022 - Panorama |url=https://censo2022.ibge.gov.br/panorama/}}</ref> In 2010, the city of Porto Alegre was the 10th most populous city in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2010/11/04/maiores-cidades-do-brasil-crescem-menos-do-que-resto-do-pais-aponta-censo.jhtm|title=Maiores cidades do Brasil crescem menos do que média nacional, aponta Censo - Notícias - Cotidiano|website=Noticias.uol.com.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106193624/http://noticias.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2010/11/04/maiores-cidades-do-brasil-crescem-menos-do-que-resto-do-pais-aponta-censo.jhtm|archive-date=6 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, the city had 269,519 [[heterosexual|opposite-sex couples]] and 1,401 [[same-sex couple]]s. The population of Porto Alegre was 53.6% female and 46.4% male.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web |title=IBGE :: Censo 2010 |url=http://www.censo2010.ibge.gov.br/painel/?nivel=mn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514145708/http://www.censo2010.ibge.gov.br/painel/?nivel=mn |archive-date=14 May 2012 |access-date=12 October 2017 |website=Censo2010.ibge.gov.br}}</ref>

Porto Alegre is mostly composed of Brazilians of European descent. Its [[colonization]] started in the mid-18th century, mostly with the arrival of [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] colonists from the Azores Islands. From 1748 to 1756, 2,300 Azoreans were sent to the region by the King of Portugal to protect [[Southern Brazil]] from neighboring invaders.<ref>{{cite web |author=Francisco Oliveira |url=http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao3.htm |title=Portuguese and Azorian Portuguese in Rio Grande do Sul |publisher=Riogrande.com.br |date=2005-08-01 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523225655/http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao3.htm |archive-date=2011-05-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These colonists, mostly composed of married couples, established the city of ''Porto dos Casais'' (literally translated "harbor of the couples"), nowadays Porto Alegre. In 1775, 55% of Rio Grande do Sul's population was of Azorean [[Portuguese Brazilian|Portuguese]] origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasesportebrasil.org.br/textos/229.pdf |title=Azorean Portuguese origin in Porto Alegre |website=Atlasesportebrasil.org.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030004653/http://www.atlasesportebrasil.org.br/textos/229.pdf |archive-date=2010-10-30 |url-status=live }}</ref> Porto Alegre was composed mainly of [[Portuguese people|Azoreans]] and their African [[slave]]s until the first half of the 19th century.
[[File:UFCSPA manifestação pelo assassinato de Alencar da Costa Junior 2015-08-06 5.JPG|thumb|right|Residents of Porto Alegre]]
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Porto Alegre (2010)
|label1 = [[Catholic Church]]
|value1 = 63.85
|color1 = Gold
|label2 = [[Protestantism]]
|value2 = 11.65
|color2 = Indigo
|label3 = [[Kardecist spiritism|Spiritism]]
|value3 = 7.03
|color3 = Skyblue
|label4 = [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]]
|value4 = 3.35
|color4 = Chartreuse
|label5 = Other religions
|value5 = 3.64
|color5 = Pink
|label6 = Irreligious
|value6 = 10.38
|color6 = White
}}
The first non-Portuguese people to settle Rio Grande do Sul were [[German Brazilian|German]] immigrants. In 1824, the first immigrants from Germany arrived in Porto Alegre, but they were sent to what is now the city of [[São Leopoldo]] ({{convert|28|km|0|abbr=on}} away). From 1824 to 1914, 50,000 Germans arrived in Rio Grande do Sul.<ref>{{cite web |author=Francisco Oliveira |url=http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao4c.htm |title=German colonies in the State of Rio Grande do Sul |publisher=Riogrande.com.br |date=2005-08-01 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523225843/http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao4c.htm |archive-date=2011-05-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most of these colonists had rural communities in the countryside of the State as their first destination. The large [[rural exodus]] in Brazil in the early 20th century brought many German-descendants to Porto Alegre and, nowadays, they compose a large percentage of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brasilalemanha.com.br/informativo02.htm|title=A caminho dos 180 anos da imigração alemã (1824–2004)|date=12 June 2004|access-date=12 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040612173617/http://www.brasilalemanha.com.br/informativo02.htm|archive-date=12 June 2004}}</ref>

The second largest group of immigrants who arrived in Porto Alegre were the [[Italian Brazilian|Italians]]. They started immigrating to Brazil in 1875, mainly from the Northern Italian [[Veneto]] region.<ref>{{cite web |author=Francisco Oliveira |url=http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao5b.htm |title=Italian colonies in the State of Rio Grande do Sul |publisher=Riogrande.com.br |date=2005-08-01 |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607120604/http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/colonizacao5b.htm |archive-date=2008-06-07 }}</ref> As the Germans, Italians were also first sent to rural communities, mainly in the [[Serra Gaúcha]] region. After some decades, many of them started to migrate to other parts of Rio Grande do Sul, including Porto Alegre.  Minority communities of immigrants, such as [[Central Europe]]ans from [[Polish Brazilian|Poland]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cekaw.org/historia_poloneses_porto_alegre.php|title=Polish Brazilian in Porto Alegre|website=Cekaw.org|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013407/http://cekaw.org/historia_poloneses_porto_alegre.php|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[Eastern Europe]]ans from [[Ukrainians of Brazil|Ukraine]] and [[History of the Jews in Brazil|Jews]]; [[Arab Brazilian|Arabs]] from [[Palestinian Brazilian|Palestine]], [[Lebanese Brazilian|Lebanon]] and [[Syrian Brazilian|Syria]]; [[Asian Brazilian|Asians]] from [[Japanese Brazilian|Japan]]; as well as Spaniards arriving after the Civil War also made Porto Alegre their home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/imigracaojaponesa/default.php?p_secao=16 |title=Japanese Brazilian in Porto Alegre |publisher=.portoalegre.rs.gov.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015642/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/imigracaojaponesa/default.php?p_secao=16 |archive-date=2011-05-20 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terrabrasileira.net/folclore/regioes/7tipos/judeusul.html |title=Jew Brazilian in Porto Alegre |publisher=Terrabrasileira.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527160645/http://www.terrabrasileira.net/folclore/regioes/7tipos/judeusul.html |archive-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> According to an autosomal DNA genetic study from 2011, the ancestral composition of the population of Porto Alegre is: 77.70% European, 12.70% African and 9.60% Native American.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Genomic Ancestry of Individuals from Different Geographical Regions of Brazil Is More Uniform Than Expected|first1=Sérgio D. J.|last1=Pena|first2=Giuliano Di|last2=Pietro|first3=Mateus|last3=Fuchshuber-Moraes|first4=Julia Pasqualini|last4=Genro|first5=Mara H.|last5=Hutz|first6=Fernanda de Souza Gomes|last6=Kehdy|first7=Fabiana|last7=Kohlrausch|first8=Luiz Alexandre Viana|last8=Magno|first9=Raquel Carvalho|last9=Montenegro|first10=Manoel Odorico|last10=Moraes|first11=Maria Elisabete Amaral de|last11=Moraes|first12=Milene Raiol de|last12=Moraes|first13=Élida B.|last13=Ojopi|first14=Jamila A.|last14=Perini|first15=Clarice|last15=Racciopi|first16=Ândrea Kely Campos|last16=Ribeiro-dos-Santos|first17=Fabrício|last17=Rios-Santos|first18=Marco A.|last18=Romano-Silva|first19=Vinicius A.|last19=Sortica|first20=Guilherme|last20=Suarez-Kurtz|date=16 February 2011|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=6|issue=2|pages=e17063|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0017063|pmc=3040205|pmid=21359226|bibcode=2011PLoSO...617063P|doi-access=free}}</ref>
{{wide image|Porto_Alegre_2010-11-16.jpg|800px|Panoramic view of Centro Histórico, Cidade Baixa, Santana, and Bom Fim neighbourhoods in Central Zone of Porto Alegre}}

=== Population growth ===
[[File:Igreja .jpg|thumb|[[Our Lady of Sorrows]] Basilica]]
[[File:¡Monumeeento!_(y_Catedral)_(2362588619).jpg|thumb|Dome of the [[Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Mother of God, Porto Alegre|Metropolitan Cathedral of Porto Alegre]]]]
<div class="center">
;Changing demographics of the city of Porto Alegre
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''Source: Planet [[Barsa (encyclopedia)|Barsa]] Ltda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://brasil.planetasaber.com/default.asp |title=Barsa Planeta Ltda |publisher=Brasil.planetasaber.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715091236/http://brasil.planetasaber.com/default.asp |archive-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''
</div>

===Religion===
{{see also|Religion in Brazil|Protestantism in Brazil|Roman Catholic Church in Brazil}}

According to the 2010 population census, the population of Porto Alegre is made up of [[Roman Catholic]]s (63.85%); [[Protestant]]s or evangelicals (11.65%); [[Kardecist spiritism|spiritists]] (7.03%); [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]] (3.35%); the unreligious (10.38%) and people of other religions (3.64%).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Exame|url=https://exame.com/brasil/as-capitais-mais-e-menos-evangelicas-do-brasil/|title=As capitais mais (e menos) evangélicas do Brasil|first=Marcos|last=Prates|date=27 February 2013}}</ref>

[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] has a [[Porto Alegre Brazil Temple|temple]] in Porto Alegre.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/porto-alegre-brazil-temple?lang=por Templo de Porto Alegre Brasil]</ref>

=== Crime ===
The number of violent crimes has been dropping steadily since 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osac.gov/Country/Brazil/Content/Detail/Report/08a8af2f-06b2-4808-8692-15f4aecd6d7c|title=Brazil 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Porto Alegre|website=www.osac.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://estado.rs.gov.br/porto-alegre-tem-queda-de-61-9-nos-homicidios-em-agosto|title=Porto Alegre registra queda de 61,9% nos homicídios no mês de agosto|date=2019-09-12|website=Portal do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul|language=pt|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref>

==Politics, government and citizenship==
[[File:Paço_Municipal_08.jpg|thumb|right|Porto Alegre [[Town Hall of Porto Alegre|City Hall]]]]
The executive branch is headed by the mayor of the municipality, which includes departments and other public administration bodies directly and indirectly. The legislature is represented by the City Council.

It hosted the first three editions of the [[World Social Forum]] in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The third edition attracted 20,763 delegates from 130 countries, with a total audience of 100,000 people from all parts of the world.

===Participatory budgeting===
{{multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = PalácioFarroupilha-POA.jpg
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| caption1          = [[Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul]]
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| caption2          = Piratini Palace
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| caption3          = Justice Court of Rio Grande do Sul
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}}

A feature of public administration in Porto Alegre is the adoption of a system of popular participation in the definition of public investment, called the Participatory Budget. The first full [[participatory budgeting]] process was developed in the city starting in 1989. Participatory budgeting in its most meaningful form took place in the city from 1991 to 2004.<ref name=autogenerated34>Baiocchi, Gianpaolo and Ernesto Ganuza. "Participatory budgeting as if emancipation mattered". In ''Politics and Society'', Vol. 42, No 1, 2014. pp. 29-50</ref> Participatory budgeting was part of a number of innovative reform programs to overcome severe inequality in living standards amongst city residents. One third of the city's residents lived in isolated slums at the city outskirts, lacking access to public amenities (water, sanitation, health care facilities, and schools).<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEMPOWERMENT/Resources/14657_Partic-Budg-Brazil-web.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211113204/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEMPOWERMENT/Resources/14657_Partic-Budg-Brazil-web.pdf |archive-date=2016-02-11 }}</ref>

Participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre has occurred annually, starting with a series of [[neighborhood]], regional, and citywide assemblies, where residents and elected budget delegates identify spending priorities and vote on which priorities to implement. Porto Alegre spent about 200&nbsp;million dollars per year on construction and [[service (economics)|service]]s,  This money is subject to participatory budgeting, unlike the annual spending on fixed expenses such as debt service and pensions, which is not subject to public participation. Around fifty thousand [[Residency (domicile)|resident]]s of Porto Alegre took part at the peak of the participatory budgeting process (compared to 1.5&nbsp;million city inhabitants), with the number of participants having grown year on year since 1989. Participants are from diverse economic and political backgrounds.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |last=Lewit |first=David |url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=562 |title=Porto Alegre's Budget Of, By, and For the People by David Lewit |publisher=Yesmagazine.org |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026142341/http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=562 |archive-date=2008-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.versobooks.com/books/169-deepening-democracy|title=Deepening Democracy: Institutional Innovations in Empowered Participatory Governance|date=March 2003|publisher=Verso Books|isbn=9781859844663|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013064825/https://www.versobooks.com/books/169-deepening-democracy|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Although participatory budgeting appears to continue in the city today, two prominent scholars on the process have stated that "after the defeat of the Workers' Party in late 2004, a politically conservative coalition maintained the surface features of PB while returning the actual functioning of the administration to more traditional modes of favor-trading and the favoring of local elites."<ref name=autogenerated34/>

The participatory budgeting cycle starts in January and runs throughout the year in many assemblies in each of the city's 16 districts, dealing with many areas of interest to urban life. The meetings elect delegates to represent specific neighborhoods. The mayor and staff attend, in order to respond to citizens' concerns. In the following months, delegates meet to review technical project criteria and district needs.<ref name=autogenerated2/>
[[File:Largo dos açorianos 2.jpg|thumb|right|Administrative Center of Rio Grande do Sul]]

City department staff may participate according to their area of expertise. At a second regional plenary, regional delegates prioritize the district's demands and elect 42 [[councillors]] representing all districts and thematic areas to serve on the Municipal Council of the Budget. The main function of the [[Municipal Council]] of the Budget is to reconcile the demands of each district with available resources, and to propose and approve an overall municipal budget. The resulting budget is binding, though the [[city council]] can suggest, but not require,  changes. Only the Mayor may veto the budget, or remand it back to the Municipal Council of the Budget (this has never happened).<ref name=autogenerated2/>

A [[World Bank]] paper suggests that participatory budgeting has led to direct improvements in facilities in Porto Alegre. For example, [[sanitary sewer|sewer]] and water connections increased from 75% of households in 1988 to 98% in 1997. The number of schools quadrupled since 1986.<ref name=autogenerated1/> According to Fedozzi and Costa, this system has been recognized as a successful experience of interaction between people and the official administrative spheres in public administration and, as such, has gained a broad impact on the political scene nationally and internationally, being interpreted as a strategy for the establishment of an active citizenship in Brazil. The distribution of investment resources planning that follows a part of the statement of priorities for regional or thematic meetings, culminating with the approval of an investment plan that works and activities program broken down by investment sector, by region and around the city. Also according to Fedozzi, this favors:<ref>Fedozzi, Luciano. "Esfera pública e cidadania: a experiência do Orçamento Participativo de Porto Alegre". In: ''Ensaios FEE''. Porto Alegre, Vol. 19, No 2, 1998. pp. 237; 256</ref><ref>Costa, Giseli Paim. "Um Estudo sobre Cidadania e Políticas Públicas em Porto Alegre". In: ''Revista Brasileira de Gestão e Desenvolvimento Regional''. Vol. 3, n. 4 (número especial), nov/2007. p. 78</ref>

The high number of participants, after more than a decade, suggests that participatory budgeting encourages increasing [[citizen]] involvement, according to the paper. Also, Porto Alegre's health and education budget increased from 13% (1985) to almost 40% (1996), and the share of the participatory budget in the total budget increased from 17% (1992) to 21% (1999).<ref name=autogenerated1/>

Despite being the pioneering experiment of participatory budgeting, Porto Alegre like many other examples does not have guaranteed sustainability. The positive impact has dwindled since 2004 due to funding changes and decreasing government commitment. Participatory budgeting has been suspended in Porto Alegre since 2017 <ref>Abers, R., Brandão, I., King, R. & Votto, D. 2018. Porto Alegre: Participatory Budgeting and the Challenge of Sustaining Transformative Change. World Resources Report Case Study. Washington, DC, World Resources Institute.</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Porto Alegre}}
{{Update section|date=July 2024}}
[[File:P10800791.JPG|thumb|left|A mall in Porto Alegre]][[File:Fiergs.jpg|thumb|right|Convention hall of the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS)]]
[[File:Ipiranga POA.jpg|thumb|[[Ipiranga (company)|Ipiranga]] headquarters in Porto Alegre]]
Located at the junction of five rivers, it has become an important alluvial port as well as one of the chief industrial and commercial centers in Brazil. Products of the rich agricultural and pastoral hinterland, such as [[soybean]]s, [[leather]], canned [[beef]], and [[rice]], are exported from Porto Alegre to destinations as far away as Africa and Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil/portoalegre.html |title=Porto Alegre, Brazil by Sergio Koreisha |publisher=Uoregon.edu |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612182616/http://www.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil/portoalegre.html |archive-date=2010-06-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Among the main businesses located in Porto Alegre are [[Gerdau]], [[Petroleo Ipiranga]], [[Zaffari]] and [[Grupo RBS|RBS]]. Since 2000, [[General Motors]] (GM) is operating in Gravataí, located in the Metropolitan Region. Also in this Region but in Triunfo, there is a Petrochemical Pool,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.falecomopolo.com.br/|title=Home|website=Polo|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012154512/http://www.falecomopolo.com.br/|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and in Eldorado do Sul [[Dell Computers]] has established a plant. In the health sector, the three hospitals: Hospital Moinhos de Vento, which is a private, JCAH-accredited hospital, [[Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital]] and [[Clinicas Hospital]], public, are considered among the best in Latin America. The latter are university-affiliated, referral hospitals for the South of Brazil. [[Commerce]] is a very important economic activity, with many malls (like Praia de Belas Shopping, Shopping Iguatemi and the smaller though posh Shopping Moinhos). The Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, directed to the production of shoes (around Novo Hamburgo) and to [[petrochemical]] industries, as well as services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcams.com.br/poa_now.htm |title=Porto Alegre |publisher=Wcams.com.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402084041/http://www.wcams.com.br/poa_now.htm |archive-date=2011-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:2019_06_13_-_MCT_-_Exposição-6762.jpg|thumb|left|[[PUCRS Museum of Science and Technology]]]]
In the city is located the Electronics Technology Center (CEITEC), focused on the development and production of application specific [[integrated circuits]] (ASICs), today announced the opening of Latin America's first IC design center. To create state-of-the-art semiconductor products for high-volume markets that will be consumed in Latin America as well as exported to [[global market]]s. CEITEC S.A will accelerate the growth of Latin America's electronics industry by leveraging Brazil's regional influence, leadership and economic strength. The company will add 60 engineers to its ranks who will design RFID, digital media and wireless communication chips for its fabrication facility now ramping up for production. The total investment by the Brazilian government is almost US$210&nbsp;million. The company is implementing a fab-lite strategy with the ability to manufacture analog/digital chips at its facility in Porto Alegre. The in-house design center with more than 100 engineers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceitec-sa.com/ |title=Technology Industry&nbsp;– CEITEC |publisher=Ceitec-sa.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214083726/http://www.ceitec-sa.com/ |archive-date=2010-12-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[GDP]] for the city was R$30,116,002,000 (2006).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|title=GDP|publisher=[[Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics|IBGE]]|location=Porto Alegre, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|access-date=2009-07-21|year=2006|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701054146/http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|archive-date=2010-07-01|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[per capita income]] for the city was R$20,900 (2006).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|title=per capita income|publisher=[[Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics|IBGE]]|location=Porto Alegre, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|access-date=2009-07-21|year=2006|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701054146/http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|archive-date=2010-07-01|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sustainability programs==

===Energy===
[[File:Porto Alegre Cityscape in the blue hour (explored) (24274935872).jpg|thumb|right|Sunset in Porto Alegre as seen from Ipanema neighborhood and Guaíba in the background]]
In Brazil, there are also a few coal-fired plants, fuel-oil fired plants and one nuclear facility. Increased utilization of [[natural gas]] and other sources is planned in order to reduce Brazil's overdependence on [[hydroelectric power]]. In 1999, a natural gas pipeline from [[Bolivia]] to Brazil was completed, with its terminus in Porto Alegre. Brazilian investment group Central Termoeletrica Sul (CTSul) has plans to invest US$698&nbsp;million in a 650MW coal-fired power generation plant in [[Cachoeira do Sul]], located in [[Rio Grande do Sul]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceee.com.br/pportal/ceee/Component/Controller.aspx |title=State Company of Electric Energy&nbsp;– Rio Grande do Sul |publisher=Ceee.com.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023020559/http://www.ceee.com.br/pportal/ceee/Component/Controller.aspx |archive-date=2010-10-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The largest [[wind energy]] [[park]] in Brazil, which is being built east of Porto Alegre in [[Osório]], will add 150&nbsp;megawatts (MW) to the Brazilian [[energy]] matrix. The production represents 5 percent of the energy consumed in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and would be sufficient to meet two-thirds of Porto Alegre's [[energy demand]]s. The Farm opened in 2008 with 75 2MW turbines and has been approved for a 300MW expansion which would make it the largest wind farm in the region. The project is part of the [[Alternative energy|Alternative Energy]] Sources Program (Proinfa) from state-owned [[Eletrobrás]], which will purchase the energy produced for the next 20&nbsp;years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Energy in Porto Alegre |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

===Recycling===
Porto Alegre was one of the first cities in Brazil to develop a recycling program and has been acknowledged as having the best management practices in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/1252837 |title=Adaptive_waterscapes_course book &#124; taneha k. Bacchin - Academia.edu |access-date=2017-11-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908212249/http://www.academia.edu/1252837/adaptive_waterscapes_course_book |archive-date=2015-09-08 }}</ref> The city produces about 1,600 [[tonne]]s of household waste per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meubairropoa.com/noticias/saude/capital-e-a-decima-maior-cidade-na-producao-de-lixo/|title=Capital é a décima maior produtora de lixo no País - Portal Meu Bairro|date=17 April 2012|website=Meubairropoa.com|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013825/http://www.meubairropoa.com/noticias/saude/capital-e-a-decima-maior-cidade-na-producao-de-lixo/|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1997, all non-recyclable waste has been disposed of in landfill sites. Infiltration into the soil is prevented by the double-walled construction of a clay layer and a high-density polythene geo-membrane, the lowering of the water table and the draining off and [[Sewage treatment|treatment]] of any [[effluent]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Recycling program in Porto Alegre |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

==Tourism and recreation==
[[File:Lago_do_parque_da_redenção.JPG|thumb|right|Redenção Park Lake]]
The area includes attractions such as the [[Piratini Palace]], the seat of the state Government,<ref>Franco, Sérgio da Costa. ''Guia Histórico de Porto Allege''. Porto Alegre: EDIUFRGS, 1988. pp. 303-304</ref> [[Porto Alegre Botanical Garden]], Moinhos de Vento Park the [[Porto Alegre Public Market|Public Market]]<ref>Franco, Sérgio da Costa. ''Guia Histórico de Porto Alegre''. Porto Alegre: EDIUFRGS, 1988</ref> and [[Farroupilha Park]]

===Nightlife===
[[File:Calçada_da_fama,_moinhos_de_vento.JPG|thumb|left|Pubs on Calçada da Fama during the day]]

Porto Alegre is well known in Brazil for its diverse [[nightlife]]. The city's clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants provide entertainment for a wide range of tastes and budgets, going from the cheap, traditional beer-'n-bite in a corner bar to all-night raves, and [[nightclub]]s. In the "SoHo" area of Porto Alegre, there is a block full of bars, restaurants and clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world66.com/southamerica/brazil/portoalegre |title=Nightlife POA city |publisher=World66.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514055146/http://www.world66.com/southamerica/brazil/portoalegre |archive-date=2011-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Hotel Sheraton de Porto Alegre.jpg|thumb|Moinhos de Vento neighborhood is known for its vibrant social life, with a large number of cafés, bars, luxury stores and nightclubs]]
[[File:Porto_Alegre_-_Brazil_Landscape-Night.jpg|right|thumb|The city at night]]
In Cidade Baixa (translates as "Lower City") neighborhood, the historical street João Alfredo has many options including [[discotheques]]. From MPB (Brazilian popular music) to rock music, historical street João Alfredo has many options to dance and have fun.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Discos in Porto Alegre |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Calçada da Fama, Padre Chagas Street is full of more fashionable bars. Goethe Avenue has a concentration of bars and [[dance club]]s. There is also a vibrant more alternative scene with clubs. Rua Fernando Gomes has a concentration of [[pub]]s, [[Coffeehouse|cafe]]s, bars. Avenida Osvaldo Aranha, alongside the Parque Farroupilha and near the Federal University has bars with a predominantly young and trendy clientele.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Calçada da Fama and Goethe Avenue |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moinhos de Vento is one of the richest [[neighborhood]]s in the city. Its bars and [[Nightclub|club]]s are more likely to be fashionable which feature mostly house music. Along Padre Chagas Street, people can find typical [[Ireland|Irish]] pubs and cafes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iguide.travel/Porto_Alegre/Drinking/Moinhos_de_Vento |title=Nightlife of Moinhos de Vento Neighborhood |publisher=Iguide.travel |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924011019/http://iguide.travel/Porto_Alegre/Drinking/Moinhos_de_Vento |archive-date=2009-09-24 |url-status=live }}</ref> A fictionalized view of the Porto Alegre nightlife could be seen in the [[Érico Verissimo]]'s novel [[Noite]].

Near Oswaldo Aranha street, in the [[Farroupilha Park]], the Araujo Viana Auditorium is an auditorium for concerts, performances and meetings. Designed by architects Moacir Moojen e Carlos Fayet, was inaugurated in March 1964, making it an important space for cultural events. The original project for the auditorium was built where nowadays Legislative Assembly is, however, it was relocated to the Farroupilha Park in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Auditório Araújo Vianna |url=https://www.webpoa.com/memoria/auditorio-araujo-vianna/,%20https://www.webpoa.com/memoria/auditorio-araujo-vianna/ |access-date=2022-12-27}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Facin_PUCRS.JPG|thumb|[[Information technology|IT]] School of [[Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul]] in Porto Alegre]]
[[File:BibiliotecaUniritterCampusFAPA.jpg|thumb|[[Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis|UniRitter]] Library building]]
Educational institutions in the area include [[Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre]] (a.k.a. UFCSPA), [[Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul]] (a.k.a. UFRGS), [[Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul]] (a.k.a. PUC), [[Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos]] (a.k.a. Unisinos)  and [[Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis]].

===Educational system===
There are three important universities in Porto Alegre: the [[Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre]] ([[UFCSPA]]), the [[Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul]] ([[UFRGS]]) and the [[Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul|Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul]] ([[PUCRS]]) all of which ranked among the top universities in Brazil and Latin America. [[UFRGS]] is also one of the 3 main universities in the country for [[post-graduation]] work. The PUCRS technological park&nbsp;– TECNOPUC&nbsp;– is one of the largest scientific and technological parks in Latin America with interaction of graduate courses, research and innovation. PUCRS is also one of the best universities for air transport and pilot formation in the world. Other very important universities are the [[Lutheran University of Brazil]] - ([[Universidade Luterana do Brasil]]) - ULBRA and [[UNISINOS]], among other university centers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=High Education in Porto Alegre |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Health===
[[File:Moinhos_de_Vento_Hospital.jpg|thumb|left|Moinhos de Vento Hospital is recognized by the [[Ministry of Health (Brazil)|Ministry of Health]] as one of the five excellent hospitals in Brazil and the only one in the Southern region of Brazil]]
In 2005, the city had a diverse set of healthcare facilities, totaling 519 establishments, of which 133 were public and 105 were municipal. Among these, 40 provided full hospitalization and 188 were linked to the [[Sistema Único de Saúde|Unified Health System]] (SUS). The total number of beds available was 7,701, with 1,542 being public and 271 of these being municipal. In terms of services, 365 establishments offered comprehensive outpatient care, 132 provided dental treatment, 33 had full emergency services, and 21 SUS-linked establishments had [[Intensive care unit|ICU]] units.
[[File:Hospital_de_Clínicas_PMPA.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre|Clinics Hospital of Porto Alegre]] is considered a national reference in the treatment of various diseases]]
Additionally, several hospitals in the city received national recognition for their excellence in recent years. In 2001, Hospital Independência was awarded the Quality Hospital Award by SUS. The following year, in 2002, the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Hospital São Lucas from [[Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul|PUC-RS]], the Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul, and Policlínica Santa Clara of Santa Casa de Misericórdia were honored. Laboratory Weinmann also stood out by receiving the National Health Management Award – Gold Level in the Laboratory category for the 2003-2004 cycle.

Other nationally recognized institutions, either for their overall performance or specific specialties, include Hospital Psiquiátrico São Pedro, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and Hospital Fêmina.

==Culture==
===Museums===
[[File:Casa_de_Cultura_Mario_Quintana_por_Rodrigo_Tetsuo_Argenton_(9).jpg|thumb|left|[[Mário Quintana]] Culture House]]
[[File:MemorialDoRioGrandeDoSul.jpg|thumb|right|Memorial of [[Rio Grande do Sul]]]]
[[File:Fundação_Iberê_Camargo_-_interior.jpg|thumb|right|Inside [[Iberê Camargo Foundation]]]]
[[File:171201 182240 Stein VivaFoto.jpg|thumb|right|Instituto Ling Cultural Center]]

'''Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art&nbsp;– MARGS'''
{{Main|Rio Grande do Sul Museum of Art}}
With an [[eclectic style]], the building was designed by German architect [[Theo Wiederspahn]]. Originally it was the headquarters of the Fiscal Surveillance Agency of the Federal Revenue Office. Nowadays, it hosts the largest public collection of art works in Rio Grande do Sul.<ref>Grecco, V., Gomes, P., Golin, C. & Marshall, F. (Orgs.) ''MARGS 50 Anos''. Porto Alegre: MARGS, 2005</ref>

'''Júlio de Castilhos Museum'''
{{Main|Júlio de Castilhos Museum}}
Created in 1903, this is the oldest museum in the state. Its collection comprises thousands of pieces related to the local history, from Indian relics to objects and iconography about the [[Ragamuffin War]] and the [[Paraguayan War]], including an important section showing fine sculptures from the Jesuitic [[Reductions]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revistamuseu.com.br/emfoco/emfoco.asp?id=7746 |title=Revista MUSEU - cultura levada a sério |access-date=2012-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122003059/http://www.revistamuseu.com.br/emfoco/emfoco.asp?id=7746 |archive-date=2012-01-22 }}</ref>
[[File:Restaurante_Orla_do_Guaíba.jpg|thumb|right|A restaurant on the banks of Lake Guaíba]]
'''Joaquim Felizardo Museum'''

{{Main|Joaquim Felizardo Museum of Porto Alegre}}

This is an important museum with a large collection of archaeological artifacts and photographs of Porto Alegre's old times. Its historical building, dating from 1845 to 1855, is one of the few intact relics of colonial architecture inside the modern urban environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/smc/default.php?reg=4&p_secao=19 |title=Joaquim José Felizardo Museum |publisher=.portoalegre.rs.gov.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015613/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/smc/default.php?reg=4&p_secao=19 |archive-date=2011-05-20 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Rio Grande do Sul Memorial'''

This museum displays a huge collection of documents, maps, objects, prints and other items related to the state's history. Its building, designed by Theodor Wiederspahn, is one of the finest examples of eclectic architecture in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.memorial.rs.gov.br/|title=Memorial do Rio Grande do Sul|website=Memorial.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905175139/http://www.memorial.rs.gov.br/|archive-date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

'''Iberê Camargo Foundation'''

An iconic landmark in the southern part of Porto Alegre, the [[Iberê Camargo Foundation]] houses the permanent installation of gaucho artist [[Iberê Camargo]].  It also hosts traveling exhibitions which change several times a year.  The building, designed by Portuguese architect [[Álvaro Siza]] was opened in 2008 and offers views of the Guaiba river as well as downtown Porto Alegre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iberecamargo.org.br/site/default.aspx|title=Fundação Iberê Camargo|website=Iberecamargo.org.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013503/http://www.iberecamargo.org.br/site/default.aspx|archive-date=2017-10-13|url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''Luiz Carlos Prestes' Memorial'''

Projected by [[Oscar Niemeyer]], the [[Luiz Carlos Prestes]]' Memorial is a recent addition to the city' cultural landscape. Besides the wall presentation of Prestes' life, a hall for cultural, social and political events is placed to the citizens of Porto Alegre.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2017/10/memorial-projetado-por-niemeyer-em-homenagem-a-prestes-e-inaugurado-em-porto-alegre-cj9cafoeq034n01o66xa5138b.html | title=Memorial projetado por Niemeyer em homenagem a Prestes é inaugurado em Porto Alegre | date=29 October 2017 | publisher=www.gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br | access-date=2018-01-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135230/https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/porto-alegre/noticia/2017/10/memorial-projetado-por-niemeyer-em-homenagem-a-prestes-e-inaugurado-em-porto-alegre-cj9cafoeq034n01o66xa5138b.html | archive-date=2018-01-16 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Carnival/Carnaval===
{{Main|Brazilian Carnival}}
The Porto Alegre [[Carnival]] began in the 18th century with the entrudo, a prank brought over by the [[Portuguese Brazilian|Portuguese]] from the Azores, whereby people threw flour, water, and ''"limão de cheiro"'' missiles at each other. At the end of the 19th century, two important Carnival associations were born. Rivalry between the two long dominated the city's Carnival. The corso, a parade of floats down Porto Alegre's streets, was a celebration enjoyed by the more well-to-do of the city's inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museevirtuel.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/en/mpa/historia/entrudo.html |title=Carnival of Porto Alegre |publisher=Museevirtuel.ca |date=1999-04-19 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706190748/http://www.museevirtuel.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/en/mpa/historia/entrudo.html |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

One of the most important Carnival [[personalities]] is [[King]] Momo. At the beginning of Carnival, usually in February, he receives the keys to the city from the [[Mayor]] of Porto Alegre, symbolically governing the Carnival during the four days of revelry. Vincente Rao was the most popular King Momo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/en/mpa/historia/momo.html |title=King Momo&nbsp;– Carnival, Porto Alegre |publisher=Virtualmuseum.ca |date=1999-04-19 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706212427/http://virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Festiva1/en/mpa/historia/momo.html |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Classic Music===
[[File:11.10.2022 - Apresentação da Orquestra Sinfônica de POA (OSPA) - Foto Michel Corvello (52423524258).jpg|thumb|Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra]]
The city is a reference for the entire state in terms of classical music, serving as the main hub for production and dissemination of influence. It has a considerable audience for this genre; it is included in the tour routes of internationally renowned performers and boasts two major orchestras - the [[Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra |Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra (OSPA)]] and the PUCRS Philharmonic Orchestra - as well as a chamber orchestra, the São Pedro Theater Chamber Orchestra, along with numerous smaller chamber groups and vocal and instrumental soloists. The city also has a large number of music schools and performance venues.

At the same time, there is noticeable development in academic research and advanced professional qualification in the undergraduate and graduate music programs at [[Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul|UFRGS]]. In addition to generating a significant collection of musicological texts and publications and preparing a large number of music professionals and new teachers, the organization of high-quality public recitals is an integral part of the functioning of these programs.

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Brazilian cuisine}}
The traditional beverage is [[Mate (drink)|chimarrao]], a South-American caffeine-rich infused drink. The Chalet of the XV de Novembro Plaza is located along the Glênio Peres Square, it is one of the most traditional bar-draught beer-[[restaurant]]s in the city, where the last "''lambe-lambe''" photographs of the region work. "Lambe-lambes" are photographers who develop pictures outdoor using the oldest method known. In the [[Bavaria]]n style, with art nouveau traits, the centenary Chalet was built up on a demountable steel structure, keeping its original chandeliers and tiles even nowadays.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Drink in Porto Alegre |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/brazil/the-south/restaurants.html |title=Cuisine in Porto Alegre |publisher=Fodors.com |date=2010-10-01 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604001718/http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/brazil/the-south/restaurants.html |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Architecture ==
{{Main|Architecture of Porto Alegre}}
The architecture of Porto Alegre is a mosaic of ancient and modern styles. This characteristic is most visible in the center of the city, the [[Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre|historic urban center]], where examples of eighteenth-century [[architecture]] survive amidst nineteenth-century and contemporary buildings.
[[File:Porto_Alegre_por_Cristine_Huff_15.jpg|thumb|Historic center skyline as seen from Guaíba River]]
[[File:Porto Alegre, RS - panoramio (16).jpg|thumb|Borges de Medeiros avenue]]
The architectural evolution of Porto Alegre does not differ in its general mechanism from most large Brazilian cities, although it has some unique elements. Its condition of provincial capital almost from the beginning resulted in a tendency to expand and monumentalize. Today it is the largest city in the state, the seat of a [[Greater Porto Alegre|Metropolitan Region]], and one of the largest cities in Brazil. Throughout its [[History of Porto Alegre|history]], it has collected an extensive series of monumental buildings, many of extraordinary value, and some advanced [[urban planning]] projects, but as a whole, this did not result in a coherent plan nor did it reveal a spirit of long-term planning, having grown vastly in a disorganized and poorly controlled way, with urban plans being very much linked to political and economic oscillations.

The architecture in the city began with the [[Portuguese culture|Portuguese colonial style]], went through the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]], [[Eclecticism in architecture|eclectic]], and [[Modern architecture|modernist]] schools. Porto Alegre verticalized, expanded, merged with neighboring cities, and became a [[metropolis]]. Now its architecture is being renewed under the influence of [[postmodernism]] and [[globalization]], developing a hybrid and internationalizing style. This has given rise to criticism about the de-characterization of its identity and the extensive destruction of irreplaceable historical architecture in the wave of "progress" and real estate speculation.

Today, the city is reorganizing its urban landscape with major infrastructure works, especially roads, and erecting significant examples of [[contemporary architecture]]. At the same time, it faces the challenges of growing into one of Brazil's largest capitals, with almost 1.5 million inhabitants. There is still a large population living in [[slum]]s and without access to basic services, and dissatisfaction is growing with the directions that the public administration has adopted in the areas of [[urban planning]], popular housing, use of special areas, urban mobility, nature preservation, and others. Urban revitalization projects promoted by the state and municipal governments, such as those of the [[Mauá Pier]], the former Industrial District, and a program of concessions of parks and other public spaces to the private sector, have produced intense controversy.

==Events==
[[File:Desfile_do_20_de_Setembro_de_Alegrete_(15176377039).jpg|thumb|right|Brazilian ''[[gaúcho]]'' with typical clothing in the [[Farroupilha]] Parade]]
[[File:Yoga no Parque da Redenção 2014-04-10.JPG|thumb|right|Yoga practitioners at Farroupilha Park]]

A wide range of [[cultural]] events are held in Porto Alegre. In addition to the traditional celebrations, a wide variety of activities are organized at Porto Alegre during the different seasons.

* '''World Social Forum''': on several occasions (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005) the [[World Social Forum]] has been hosted in Porto Alegre. This event gathered more than 100,000 people from more than 100 [[countries]] each year. The main aim of these meetings is to discuss and deal with [[social issue]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |title=World Social Forum&nbsp;– Porto Alegre City |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032611/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Porto Verão Alegre''': during the summer, for example, the ''"Porto Verão Alegre"'' or (Porto Summer Alegre) takes place in this city. This celebration consists of a number of performances and exhibitions. In 2005 about seventy plays could be enjoyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |title=Porto Verão Alegre Event |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032611/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''International Free Software Forum''': the Fórum Internacional de Software Livre ([[International Free Software Forum]] or simply [[FISL]]) is an event sponsored by Associação Software Livre (Free Software Association), a Brazilian NGO that, among other objectives, seeks the promotion and adoption of free software.
* '''Farroupilha Week''': this [[cultural]] [[Festival|celebration]] takes place in mid September with parades, food and musical exhibitions. The "Acampamento [[Farroupilha]]" takes place in Harmonia Park, where thousands of people set up their tents and eat typical food to commemorate the Farroupilha [[Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |title=Farroupilha Week |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032611/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Bookfair''': held each November at [[Alfândega Square]]. In October Porto Alegre holds the greatest Book Fair in the [[Americas]], an event that has been taking place since 1955. Each year about 2,000,000 people attend this fair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |title=Book Fair&nbsp;– Porto Alegre |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032611/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Worldwide Pinhole Photography''': this is an international event created to promote and celebrate the art of [[pinhole photography]]. The event is held each year on the last Sunday in April.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinholeday.org/org/ |title=Worldwide Pinhole Photography Event |publisher=Pinholeday.org |date=2010-04-25 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124021355/http://www.pinholeday.org/org/ |archive-date=2010-11-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Mercosur Biennial Exhibition''': is held in Porto Alegre every two years between October and December. This is an important art and [[cultural]] event that attracts a large number of people as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |title=Mercosur Biennal Exhibition&nbsp;– Porto Alegre |publisher=Reservas.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724032611/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/portoalegre_cultureinportoalegre.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Carnival''': as do other Brazilian cities, Porto Alegre holds extensive festivities during the period immediately preceding Lent. Among them, there is an [[Samba School|Escola de Samba]] contest, featuring Academia de Samba Puro, Acadêmicos da Orgia, Bambas da Orgia, Estado Maior da Restinga, Fidalgos e Aristocratas, Império da Zona Norte, and Impeadores do Samba, among others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/carnaval/ |title=Porto Alegre Carnaval |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502155618/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/carnaval/ |archive-date=2011-05-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transportation==
===International airport===
[[File:Terminal 1 Aeroporto de Porto Alegre.jpg|thumb|Salgado Filho International Airport]]
[[File:Aeromóvel A200 da Trensub (14188989903).jpg|thumb|right|[[Monorail]] connecting the airport metro station with the [[Porto Alegre Metro|metro system]] of the city]]
[[File:Trens_no_pátio_da_Trensurb_(51412684072).jpg|thumb|Trains of [[Porto Alegre Metro]] system]]
[[File:Cais_do_Porto_-_Porto_Alegre_-_2013.jpg|thumb|Port of Porto Alegre]]
[[Salgado Filho International Airport]] serves commercial flights to most major cities all over Brazil and to smaller cities in the [[South Region, Brazil|South]] of the country. There are also international flights to other [[South America]]n countries, [[Panama]], and [[Portugal]].<ref name="aeroporto">{{cite web |url=http://www.portoalegre-airport.com.br/en |title=Fraport - Porto Alegre Airport |publisher=Fraport Porto Alegre |access-date=2018-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323104037/http://www.portoalegre-airport.com.br/en |archive-date=2018-03-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Air Force Base===
[[Canoas Air Force Base|Canoas Air Force Base - ALA3]], one of their most important bases of the [[Brazilian Air Force]], is located in the nearby city of [[Canoas]].

===Port===
{{Main|Port of Porto Alegre}}
The Port of Porto Alegre is situated in the Eastern margin of Guaíba Lake. The port lying on the eastern bank of the Guaíba lake at the point where its waters empty into the huge Lagoa dos Patos is one of Brazil's largest ports. Located near the main access roads to Porto Alegre, it is {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=on}} away from the [[Salgado Filho International Airport]] and has access to the light railway [[Metro station|station]], through the docks of Mauá and Navegantes. Its geographical position enables a permanent traffic between Porto Alegre and [[Buenos Aires]], transporting steel-industry products and mainly agricultural produce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sph.rs.gov.br/sph_2006/content/porto_poa/porto_poa_apresentacao.php|title=Redirecionando...|website=Sph.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430165758/http://www.sph.rs.gov.br/sph_2006/content/porto_poa/porto_poa_apresentacao.php|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Port of Porto Alegre |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Metro===
[[File:0000 Porto Alegre Trensurb.JPG|thumb|left|The Mercado station is one of the main subway stations in Porto Alegre and is located in front of the city's public market.]]
{{Main|Porto Alegre Metro}}
Porto Alegre has a rapid transit system operated by [[Trensurb]], which links downtown Porto Alegre to its northern neighborhoods and to cities to the north of the [[metropolitan area]], as [[Canoas]], Esteio, [[Sapucaia do Sul]], São Leopoldo and [[Novo Hamburgo]]. The line has stations at strategic spots, such as: the Public Market, the bus station, the airport and many other important and urban spots throughout Porto Alegre and the other cities the metro covers. The line is built at surface level (30&nbsp;km, totally segregated) and elevated (12&nbsp;km).

Trensurb is operated jointly by the federal government, the state government of [[Rio Grande do Sul]] and the city of Porto Alegre through the company Trensurb S.A. (Company of Urban Trains of Porto Alegre S.A.) and has 22 working [[Metro station|station]]s, with a total extension of nearly {{convert|43|km|mi}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trensurb.com.br/paginas/paginas_detalhe.php?codigo_sitemap=37|title=Distâncias entre as Estações - Trensurb - Empresa de Trens Urbanos de Porto Alegre S.A.|website=Trensurb.com.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116041303/http://www.trensurb.com.br/paginas/paginas_detalhe.php?codigo_sitemap=37|archive-date=16 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> carrying about 130,000 users a day. 
Building of the (sole) Line 1 of the metro started in 1980. The choice of path was made to relieve the heavy traffic of highway BR-116, which already presented serious problems with the transit at the time. The line was inaugurated on March 2, 1985, between the Central [[Public Market]] and Sapucaia do Sul. In December 1997, it was extended to Unisinos. An extension of {{convert|2.4|mi|km}} [[São Leopoldo]]–[[Museum]] was added in November 2000, after two months of trial service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clicrbs.com.br/zerohora/jsp/default.jsp?uf=1&local=1&section=Geral&newsID=a1642209.xml |title=Metro (Porto Alegre) |publisher=Clicrbs.com.br |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523235224/http://www.clicrbs.com.br/zerohora/jsp/default.jsp?uf=1&local=1&section=Geral&newsID=a1642209.xml |archive-date=2011-05-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2013}}, an extension to [[Novo Hamburgo]] is being completed, with the first station already fully functional.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trensurb.com.br/paginas/galeria_projetos_detalhes.php?codigo_sitemap=84|title=Expansão Novo Hamburgo - Trensurb - Empresa de Trens Urbanos de Porto Alegre S.A.|website=Trensurb.com.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203210214/http://www.trensurb.com.br/paginas/galeria_projetos_detalhes.php?codigo_sitemap=84|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

A metro system inside Porto Alegre only is currently planned and it is already subject of much publicity and speculation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/poametro/internas/Projeto/projeto.html|title=Metrô de Porto Alegre|website=.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109152159/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/poametro/internas/Projeto/projeto.html|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, no project has been approved so far and the beginning of the constructions is yet undefined.

===Highways===
There are two federal [[highway]]s in the city, BR-290 and BR-116, both running close to its northern and northwestern border. The small number is due to the inexistence of many destinations southeast or south of Porto Alegre (considering the landmass east of Lagoa dos Patos),<ref>Villaça, Flávio. ''Espaço intra-urbano no Brasil''. Studio Nobel, 1998, pp. 103-105</ref> if not for the cities of [[Pelotas]] (the third-biggest in population in the State) and Rio Grande (which hosts the State biggest [[port]]). Nonetheless, when coming from west, both highways bond in the neighbor municipality of Eldorado do Sul, running mostly jointly within the borders of Porto Alegre, only coming to separate at the very [[Interchange (road)|interchange]] to [[Canoas]]. This way, BR-116 has virtually no sole run within Porto Alegre.

BR-290 highway runs east–west across the state, linking the northeast coast of the state to the [[Uruguay]]–[[Argentina]]–Brazil border. It runs close to the northern border of the municipality. Coming from west, as it reaches the urban area of Porto Alegre, BR-290 highway becomes a high-standard {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} long [[freeway]] that connects to the coast and to the BR-101 highway. The latter is an important way to get to Porto Alegre from the north of the country, by the city Osório. BR-101 connects to [[Curitiba]], [[Florianópolis]] and northern Santa Catarina state, and has been recently upgraded to highway standards, with multiple lanes. By entering the BR-290 freeway/BR-101 system, and the other highways it connects to, it is possible to drive from Porto Alegre to as far as [[Rio de Janeiro]] or [[Belo Horizonte]] almost entirely through 4-lane (or more) highways.

The other road, BR-116, is a longitudinal highway, running northeast–south across the state, linking Porto Alegre to several satellite cities and other Brazilian capitals to the north, and [[Pelotas]] and [[Uruguay]] to the south. Within the municipality, it only touches the northwest side of the city, close to the end of Rio Gravataí (Gravataí [[River]]), sharing its entire run with BR-290, only separating when heading north onto [[Canoas]].

A third road, BR-448, is currently under construction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.br448rodoviadoparque.com.br/ |title=BR448 Rodovia do Parque |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140107214110/http://www.br448rodoviadoparque.com.br/ |archive-date=7 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> BR-448 is planned to connect the northeast of Porto Alegre to [[Sapucaia do Sul]], as an alternative to BR-116, notably jam-packed on its [[Canoas]]-[[Novo Hamburgo]] stretch during traffic rush hours.

The connection between downtown Porto Alegre and the highways is made by Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco (President Castelo Branco Avenue), which is a short - {{convert|4|km|mi}} - avenue also bordering the northwest side of the city, Avenida dos Estados (States' Avenue), which is the access way to the [[Salgado Filho International Airport]], and Avenida Assis Brasil (Assis Brasil Avenue), the main Avenue in the northern Porto Alegre.

===Bus===
[[File:Rodoviária de Porto Alegre 05.jpg|thumb|right|View of  Porto Alegre Bus Station]]
[[File:Carris 0866.jpg|thumb|A bus of CARRIS (Porto Alegre bus service)]]
The city has a functioning transportation system, especially the [[autobus]]es. Porto Alegre has also mini-buses from and to all the main [[neighborhood]]s in the city, with sitting-only transport and the possibility to hop on and off at any point but also higher fares. ''Linha Turística'' (Tourist Line) is a bus that leaves from Usina do Gasômetro tourist terminal around six times per day. During 90&nbsp;minutes, it traverses the various districts of Porto Alegre, for a modest price.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_Grande_do_Sul/Porto_Alegre-1506259/Transportation-Porto_Alegre-BR-1.html |title=Bus in Porto Alegre |publisher=Virtualtourist.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211135301/http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_Grande_do_Sul/Porto_Alegre-1506259/Transportation-Porto_Alegre-BR-1.html |archive-date=2009-02-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> Exclusive [[bus]] [[lane]]s in the median of seven radial [[wikt:corridor|corridors]] that converge on the city center are used by both urban and [[regional]] lines. The bus fleet totals 1,600, with 150 [[minibus]]es. About 325&nbsp;million people use the system annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |title=Bus System in the city |publisher=Sustainablecities.net |access-date=2010-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605214840/http://sustainablecities.net/plusnetwork/plus-cities/porto-alegre-brazil |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>

Those lines have no [[prefix]]. It is quite common to switch buses at downtown but since there is a myriad of lines there, it can be challenging to find the right terminal for the next bus. Transversal lines prefix "T" (T1, T2, ..., T11), connect different [[neighborhoods]] without going through the downtown area, which effectively eliminates the need of changing buses for the most common trips. [[wiktionary:circular|Circular]] lines prefix "C" (C1, C2, C3), as the name indicates, run in a circular manner, usually connecting parts of the downtown area to the nearest neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iguide.travel/Porto_Alegre/Getting_Around/Buses |title=Bus destines of the city |publisher=Iguide.travel |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616132503/http://iguide.travel/Porto_Alegre/Getting_Around/Buses |archive-date=2011-06-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mayor José Fogaça renewed his agreement with EMBARQ and the Center for Sustainable Transport Brazil (CTS-Brasil) to improve [[accessibility]] and mobility in downtown Porto Alegre. The agreement, signed on March 11, includes a new partnership with the Andean Development Corporation, a Latin American multilateral financial institution that is expected to provide $1&nbsp;million in non-reimbursable technical assistance to help Porto Alegre complete the preparation phase of the ''"Portais da Cidade"'' bus [[rapid transit]] project, a groundbreaking transport system designed to reduce pollution and congestion downtown. The system will include a southern extension to accommodate activities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. CAF's technical assistance will be administered through CTS-Brasil, which has been working to expand sustainable transport in Porto Alegre since 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.embarq.org/en/news/09/03/11/porto-alegre-revitalize-downtown-through-sustainable-transport |title=Bus Transport Project&nbsp;– Porto Alegre |publisher=Embarq.org |date=2009-03-11 |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707145543/http://www.embarq.org/en/news/09/03/11/porto-alegre-revitalize-downtown-through-sustainable-transport |archive-date=2010-07-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[bus station]] downtown and is served by several national and international lines. It is also connected to a Trensurb station ([[Porto Alegre Metro]]) and several municipal [[bus]] lines. Northbound passengers can rely on good bus connections throughout Brazil. However, an [[express bus service|express bus]] might be recommended to travel to [[Uruguay]] or [[Argentina]] to avoid several stops en route.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |title=Bus Station&nbsp;– Porto Alegre&nbsp;– Facts |publisher=Carnaval.com |access-date=2010-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922123741/http://www.carnaval.com/brazil/portoalegre/#BU |archive-date=2010-09-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Taxi===
Porto Alegre has a total of 3,922 authorized taxicabs, with 317 taxi stops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/eptc/default.php?p_secao=156|title=EPTC|first=Prefeitura Municipal de Porto|last=Alegre|website=2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026010733/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/eptc/default.php?p_secao=156|archive-date=26 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Regular taxis are colored red, whereas 
airport taxicabs are colored white, both with blue strips on the sides containing white lettering.

==Sports==
{{See also|2014 FIFA World Cup|Sports in Brazil}}
[[File:Beira-Rio-Stadium-Porto-Alegre-Brazil.jpg|thumb|[[Estádio Beira-Rio]], home of Sport Club Internacional]]
[[File:Arena do Grêmio.jpg|thumb|left|[[Arena do Grêmio]], home of Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense]]
Football is a passion of the people from Porto Alegre. There is a big rivalry between two football clubs, [[Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense]], founded in 1903, and [[Sport Club Internacional]], founded in 1909. Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense and Sport Club Internacional currently play in the top league in Brazil, the {{lang|pt|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A]]|italic=no}}. Both have successful histories, having won national and international titles, including the South American top honour, the [[Copa Libertadores]], and the highest global trophy for football clubs, the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]], now known as the [[FIFA Club World Cup|Club World Cup]].<ref name="Beleza Natural e Vigor Econômico">{{cite web |url=http://www.revistatche.com.br/ptpoarev.php |title=Revista Tchê Porto Alegre |access-date=2012-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505194243/http://www.revistatche.com.br/ptpoarev.php |archive-date=2012-05-05 }}</ref> The rivalry between the team teams is known as the [[Grenal]] and is considered one of the fiercest in Brazil, South America and the World.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Greg Lea |date=2021-04-20 |title=Ranked! The 50 biggest derbies in world football |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/gallery/ranked-50-biggest-derbies-world-football-2 |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=fourfourtwo.com |language=en}}</ref> Other traditional teams includes [[Série C]] side [[Esporte Clube São José]], which plays in the [[Estádio Passo D'Areia]] on the northern zone of the city,<ref>http://saojosefutebol.com.br/ {{bare URL inline|date=April 2023}}</ref> and [[Esporte Clube Cruzeiro]], which from its founding in 1913 until 2019 played in Porto Alegre until they relocated to [[Cachoeirinha]] —in the metropolitan region of Porto Alehre—after inaugurating a brand new stadium there.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/esportes/gauchao/noticia/2019/03/estadio-do-cruzeiro-rs-recebe-seu-primeiro-jogo-oficial-mas-ainda-longe-da-capacidade-de-16-mil-lugares-cjt779unt02ug01ujf0w575k5.html | title=Estádio do Cruzeiro-RS recebe seu primeiro jogo oficial, mas ainda longe da capacidade de 16 mil lugares | date=13 March 2019 }}</ref>

Porto Alegre was one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil. The modernization of the [[Beira-Rio Stadium]], home of SC Internacional and the city's 2014 FIFA World Cup venue, left the venue with a capacity for 56,000 spectators. Internacional's former home, the [[Estádio dos Eucaliptos]], was a venue for the [[1950 FIFA World Cup]]. Local rivals Grêmio play in their own stadium in the Humaitá district. The [[Arena do Grêmio]] stadium replaced the [[Estádio Olímpico Monumental]] in 2012 and meets [[CONMEBOL]]/[[FIFA]] standards. The [[Arena do Grêmio]] stadium has a capacity for 60,540 spectators.{{Clear}}

[[American football]] is also played in the city, with two teams: [[Porto Alegre Pumpkins]], the oldest in the state, and Porto Alegre Bulls, who play with the [[Esporte Clube São José]], a club with multiple sports.

On January 22, 2015, Porto Alegre hosted its first [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] event at the [[Gigantinho]]. [[UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir]] was headlined by former heavyweight champion [[Frank Mir]] making his Brazilian debut, knocking out Brasilia native [[Antônio Silva (fighter)|Antônio Silva]]. Former  [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] [[Fabrício Werdum]] is a Porto Alegre native.

==Neighborhoods==
[[File:Vista do Morro Santa teresa, Porto Alegre - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Porto Alegre seen from Santa teresa Hill]]
[[File:Usina do Gasômetro em 2021.jpg|thumb|Cais Embarcadero complex and Gasômetro plant]]
{{Main|Neighborhoods of Porto Alegre}}
[[Neighborhood]]s of Porto Alegre are geographical divisions of the city. There is no devolution of administrative powers to neighborhoods, although there are several neighborhoods associations devoted to improve their own [[standards of living]]. Porto Alegre has nowadays 81 official distinguished neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/spm/default.php?p_secao=129|title=SMURB|first=Prefeitura Municipal de Porto|last=Alegre|website=2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616140235/http://www2.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/spm/default.php?p_secao=129|archive-date=16 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Consular representations ==
The following countries have consular representations in Porto Alegre:
{{div col}}
*[[Argentina]] (Consulate)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/representaciones|title=Embajadas y Consulados|website=Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto|language=es|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[Chile]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chile.gob.cl/|title=Chile en el exterior|website=Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores|language=es|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[Germany]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/laenderinformationen/brasilien-node/brazil/228940|title=German Missions in Brazil|website=Federal Foreign Office|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref> 
*[[Italy]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/struttura/laretediplomatica/?tipoL%5B%5D=0&tipoL%5B%5D=1&p=BRASILE&c=&capomissione=|title=Rete diplomatica|website=Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale|language=it|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[Japan]] (Consular Office)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.br.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_pt/enderecos_uteis.html|title=Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[Portugal]] (Vice-Consulate)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/rede-diplomatica/mapa-da-rede-diplomatica|title=Mapa da rede diplomática|website=Portal Diplomático|language=pt|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
* [[Serbia]] (Consulate-General) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.visahq.com.br/serbia/embassy/brazil/ | title=Embaixada da Sérvia no Brasil }}</ref>
*[[Spain]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx|title=Embassies and Consulates|website=Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación|language=es|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[United States]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/|title=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil|website=U.S. Department of State|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref> 
*[[Uruguay]] (Consulate-General)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://busquedaconsulados.mrree.gub.uy/busq_mrree/servlet/hresultabusqmision?61,2,0|title=Directorio de oficinas consulares Uruguayas en el mundo|website=Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores|language=es|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

<gallery widths="149px" heights="149px">
File:Consulado da Sérvia em Porto Alegre 002.JPG|Consulate-General of Serbia
File:Porto Alegre (51881937436).jpg|Consulate-General of the United States
</gallery>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Brazil}}

===Twin towns – sister cities===
Porto Alegre is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Curiosidade sobre Porto Alegre|url=http://www.supertransado.com.br/site/artigos/noticia/curiosidade-sobre-porto-alegre|website=supertransado.com.br|publisher=Super Transado|language=pt|date=2015-09-15|access-date=2020-05-23}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Horta, Azores|Horta]], Portugal (1982)
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kanazawa]], Japan (1967)
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], Argentina (1982)
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Morano Calabro]], Italy (1982)
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Natal, Rio Grande do Norte|Natal]], Brazil (1992)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], United States (2006)
*{{flagicon|URY}} [[Punta del Este]], Uruguay (1984)
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Portalegre, Portugal|Portalegre]], Portugal (1982)
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Ribeira Grande, Azores|Ribeira Grande]], Portugal (1982)
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Rosario]], Argentina (1994)
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Suzhou]], China (2004)
<!--Austin, Saint Petersburg, Haifa - twinning ended-->
{{div col end}}

===Partner cities===
Porto Alegre also has the following partner city:
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paris]], France (2001)<ref name="paris">{{cite web |url=http://www.paris.fr/portail/accueil/Portal.lut?page_id=6587&document_type_id=5&document_id=16468&portlet_id=14974 |title=Partners cities from Paris |publisher=Porto Alegre, RS |access-date=2009-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011162140/http://paris.fr/portail/accueil/Portal.lut?page_id=6587&document_type_id=5&document_id=16468&portlet_id=14974 |archive-date=2007-10-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Architecture of Porto Alegre]]
* [[List of Hills of Porto Alegre]]
* [[History of Rio Grande do Sul]]
* [[Farroupilha Park]]
* [[Otávio Rocha Viaduct]]
* [[Companhia Carris Porto-Alegrense]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Porto Alegre#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Porto Alegre}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Porto Alegre}}
*{{in lang|pt|en}} &nbsp; [http://www.visiteportoalegre.com/ Porto Alegre Convention & Visitors Bureau page]
*{{in lang|pt}} [http://www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/ Official homepage] (some pages available in English)
*{{Wikivoyage inline}}

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