União da Vitória

Infobox City
official_name = União da Vitória


image_caption = União da Vitória downtown


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image_caption = União da Vitória downtown


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mapsize = 300px
map_caption = Location in Paraná, Brazil
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_type2 = State
subdivision_name = Brazil
subdivision_name1 = South
subdivision_name2 = Paraná
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Hussein Bakri (PSDB)
area_note =
area_total_km2 = 720
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 51.858
population_density_km2 = 72
population_total = 51.858
population_metro =
timezone = UTC-3
utc_offset = -3
timezone_DST = UTC-2
utc_offset_DST = -2
latd = 26|latm= 13|lats= 0|latNS=S
longd = 51|longm=05|longs= 0|longEW=W
elevation_m = 752
elevation_ft = 2467
website = [http://www.pmuniaodavitoria.com.br/ Prefeitura de União da Vitória]
footnotes =|

União da Vitória is a city located in the south of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Its population was about 51.858 people in 2006. In the economic area, União da Vitória's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is of US$ 115,364,648.65.

History

The colonization of the region begun in the end of the XIX Century with the troops that usually came from the central villages of Rio Grande do Sul in order to sell their bovines in the Southeast Region larger cities, such as Sorocaba, due to the discovery of a shallow passage in the middle of Iguazu River called "Vau do Iguaçu". Years later, in March 27, 1890, dismembered of Palmas, the city of União da Vitória was founded.

After that, European immigrants, such as ukrainians, poles, germans and italians,installed their families in the region, attracted mainly by the similar climate, topography, vegetation and opportunity of having a better quality of life.

In the early 1900s, the Contestado War, a conflict that Paraná, Santa Catarina and Argentina contested the region rich in yerba mate and crossed by an important railway. Due to the war, the area had been completely destroyed; so that, the existent city of União da Vitória, at the Iguazu Valley, started its renovation and development.

In the 1950s, the city was getting larger and the economy increasing by wood and yerba mate production and the beginning of this products exportation; but its golden age did not last long.

Nowadays, the latest immigrations were mainly arabians, jews and lebaneses.

Development

União da Vitória's HDI is of 0.793, classified as medium at this kind of measure.

Its quality of life is one of the best in Paraná. The literacy rate, number of houses with water, sewage treatment and electricity are all over 90% of application in the city.

Economy

Mainly based in the wood industry, internationally known for its wooden furniture, which is exported all over the world including the United States and Europe.

The tourist attractions are also explored; its waterfalls are organized in a guided route with boat and car trip, kayak and trekking, called "Rota das Cachoeiras" (Route of the Waterfalls) visited by many people from the country.

The city is widely known for its universities in the Southern Region of Brazil, embracing the south of Paraná and the north of Santa Catarina.

Geography

União da Vitória lies on the south bank of Iguazu River and at 752 meters above the sea level. The city borders its interstate neighbour Porto União, Santa Catarina; both are known as "Gêmeas do Iguaçu" (Iguazu Twins).

The city is 238 kilometers far from Curitiba, the capital of Paraná State and the municipality's area is of 720 square kilometers and the population density is of 72 people per square kilometer.

Being located between the Second and the Third Plateaus, the city's topography is characterized by extrusive igneous mountains origined in the Parana Flood Basalt; making this region full of waterfalls and creeks known nationally.

See also

* União da Vitória Airport
* Roman Catholic Diocese of União da Vitória