- Literally
translated as "Christmas", It is the capital city
of Rio Grande do Norte,. As of July 2009, the city had an
approximate total population of 806,203 (1,263,547 including
its full metropolitan area).
- Natal is considered
by IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research of Brazil),
the safest capital city in the country.
- It was founded
on a Christmas Day on December 25, 1599, by Portuguese settlers.
During World War II, the city had a small but important
participation in the war, serving as an airbase to the United
States due to its privileged geographical position, the
"Corner of the Continent".
- Currently,
the city is in the process of growth and in the future may
become the next Brazilian metropolis.
- It
is the nearest Brazilian capital to Europe and paradise
islands of Fernando de Noronha, attracting around two million
tourists a year who seek various attractions. Natal became
the entry gate to the beautiful beaches of the State of
Rio Grande do Norte.
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Lying
about six degrees south of the equator the sun shines for more
than 3,000 hours every year and the days seem to last forever.
The average temperature in Natal is about 27 degrees Celsius.
During the summer season it normally reaches above 30 degrees
Celsius with the water at a soothing 26 degrees. The greatest
amount of rain falls between March and July.
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Weather
data for Natal
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|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
|
Record
high °C (°F)
|
37
(99)
|
38
(100)
|
38
(100)
|
38
(100)
|
32
(90)
|
36
(97)
|
36
(97)
|
37
(99)
|
37
(99)
|
32
(90)
|
35
(95)
|
36
(97)
|
38
(100)
|
|
Average
high °C (°F)
|
31
(88)
|
31
(88)
|
31
(88)
|
30
(86)
|
30
(86)
|
28
(82)
|
28
(82)
|
28
(82)
|
29
(84)
|
30
(86)
|
30
(86)
|
30
(86)
|
30
(86)
|
|
Daily
mean °C (°F)
|
27
(81)
|
27
(81)
|
27
(81)
|
27
(81)
|
26
(79)
|
26
(79)
|
25
(77)
|
25
(77)
|
26
(79)
|
26
(79)
|
27
(81)
|
27
(81)
|
26
(79)
|
|
Average
low °C (°F)
|
24
(75)
|
23
(73)
|
23
(73)
|
23
(73)
|
23
(73)
|
22
(72)
|
21
(70)
|
21
(70)
|
22
(72)
|
23
(73)
|
23
(73)
|
24
(75)
|
23
(73)
|
|
Record
low °C (°F)
|
21
(70)
|
21
(70)
|
18
(64)
|
18
(64)
|
16
(61)
|
16
(61)
|
17
(63)
|
17
(63)
|
18
(64)
|
20
(68)
|
20
(68)
|
21
(70)
|
16
(61)
|
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Precipitation
cm (inches)
|
5
(2)
|
12
(4.7)
|
18
(7.1)
|
25
(9.8)
|
19
(7.5)
|
20
(7.9)
|
19
(7.5)
|
9
(3.5)
|
6
(2.4)
|
2
(0.8)
|
2
(0.8)
|
2
(0.8)
|
137
(53.9)
|
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- The city also
has one of the largest off-season carnivals in Brazil, called
Carnatal
-
It
is very different from the samba school parade, popular
in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, notable is the “Festa
Junina” (Saint John Festival), also celebrated as Midsummer
Day in several European countries).
- Between
2002 and 2005 there was an increase of 134% in foreign tourism
in Natal (for the same time period the increase of foreign
tourism in Brazil was 48%); This is a due to the accessibility
of Natal and the appeal Brazil has for an increasing number
of tourists, clearly showing that Natal is the area leading
the Brazilian tourism boom.
- Natal
is the number one area receiving international investments
in Brazil. Natal will benefit enormously from the massive
future investments on the coastline.
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