SANTA MARIA, RIO GRANDE DO SUL

'Santa Maria' is a city in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil. It is known for the presence of a federal university (Universidade Federal de Santa Maria) and a number of private universities and faculties. Due to their presence, the city has a relatively young population.
The name of the city means "Saint Mary" in Portuguese. Santa Maria is also known in the region by being the host city of a big religious festival dedicated to Nossa Senhora Medianeira called "''Romaria da Medianeira''" (Medianeira is a name of Our Lady that was created in Venice, Italy). Every year, thousands of people from many cities join the festival.
Santa Maria has a population of 270,073 (source: IBGE). It has a total area of 1823.1 km².
Santa Maria is often referred as the "culture city" (from Portuguese: ''cidade cultura'') mostly because of the local universities, which host a large number of students and young adults who engage in many cultural and political ations, social entrepreneurs, and a certain number of academic researchers of international reputation.

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External links

External links

★ The City's Official Website (in portuguese)

★ Federal University of Santa Maria - UFSM (in portuguese)

★ Franciscan University Center - UNIFRA (in portuguese)

★ Methodist University of Santa Maria - FAMES (in portuguese)

★ Santa Clara Faculty - FASCLA (in portuguese)

★ Dioceses of Santa Maria - Article in the Catholic Encyclopedia

★ 13th May Theater (in portuguese)

★ Bloomsday Santa Maria - RS (BRAZIL) / since 1994 a literary party

★ Cineclube Lanterninha Aurélio (CESMA) Santa Maria - RS (BRAZIL)/ since 1978

★ Cooperativa dos Estudantes de Santa Maria / Santa Maria - RS (BRAZIL)/ since 1978

★ Santa Maria Vídeo e Cinema - Festival / Santa Maria - RS (BRAZIL)/ since 2002

★ Revista Ciência & Ambiente (in portuguese)