Caçapava do Sul is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located on the banks of the Camaquã River. As of 2020, the city has an estimated population of 33,548. It was the 2nd capital of the Piratini Republic from 1839 to 1840.

Caçapava do Sul
Municipality of Caçapava do Sul
Flag of Caçapava do Sul
Official seal of Caçapava do Sul
Motto: 
Caçapava não se entrega (Caçapava doesn't surrender)
Location in Rio Grande do Sul
Location in Rio Grande do Sul
Coordinates: 30°30′44″S 53°29′27″W / 30.51222°S 53.49083°W / -30.51222; -53.49083
Country Brazil
RegionSouth
State Rio Grande do Sul
Meso-regionSudeste Rio-Grandense
Micro-regionSerras de Sudeste
Founded25 October 1831
Government
 • MayorGiovani Amestoy da Silva (PDT)
Area
 • Total3,047.120 km2 (1,176.500 sq mi)
Elevation
444 m (1,457 ft)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total33,548
 • Density11.06/km2 (28.6/sq mi)
Demonymcaçapavano
Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)
Postal code
96570
Area code(+55) 55
HDI (2010)0.704 – high[2]
Websitecacapava.rs.gov.br

The economy depends primarily on the mining industry. Caçapava do Sul produces 80% of the calcareous rock mined in Rio Grande do Sul. For many years it was Brazil's major producer of copper and is still an important center of copper mining.

A major deposit of copper ore was discovered in the 1940s by the CBC (Companhia Brasileira do Cobre / Brazilian Copper Company), under the direction of Brazilian industrialist and famous playboy Francisco "Baby" Pignatari. The area, about 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from Caçapava, came to be known as the Minas do Camaquã (Camaquã Mines). This large operation contributed enormously to the town's economy and is still the site of operating copper mines, by such companies as Majestic Diamonds & Metals.

The area has several interesting natural formations. Nearby lies Pedra do Segredo (Stone of the Secret), a natural outcropping of stone that attracts mountain climbers and tourists from all over the state and elsewhere.[citation needed]

Geography edit

The city is located at latitude 30º30'44"S and longitude 53º29'29"W, at an altitude of 444 meters (1,457 ft). It has a geographical area of 3,044.8 km2 (1,175.6 sq mi).

Historic and natural sites edit

Nearby municipalities edit

References edit

  1. ^ IBGE 2020
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)