Paraná (pron. IPA: [pa.ɾa.'na] <ref>The presented pronunciation is in Brazilian Portuguese. The European Portuguese pronunciation is: /pɐ.ɾɐ.'na/.</ref>) is one of the states of Brazil, located in the southern part of the country, bordering Paraguay and Argentina. The territory was set apart from the province of São Paulo in 1853, as a punishment for the latter's support in the insurrection of 1842. It is in the Southern region of Brazil.

The main cities of the state are:

Curitiba (Capital and largest, east)
Londrina (2^nd largest, north)
Maringá (3^rd largest, north)
Foz do Iguaçu (4^th largest, west)
Ponta Grossa (5^th largest, center-east)
Cascavel (6^th largest, center-west)
Guarapuava (9^th largest, center)
Paranaguá (10^th largest, east-coast)

[edit] Ethnic groups

Whites make up 75% of the population. Waves of European immigrants started arriving in the late 19th century, mainly from Portugal, Poland, Italy, Germany and Ukraine. In the early 20th century more immigrants arrived from Japan, Lebanon and Syria. Among all Brazilian states, Paraná has the largest number of inhabitants of Eastern European descent and the second (to São Paulo) largest number of inhabitants of Japanese descent. Paraná also has some small Jewish communities in Curitiba and Londrina.

[edit] Social care

Paraná has one of the highest standards of living in Brazil, with relatively low criminality levels, a special attention given to education and health and a HDI of ~0.785, the 5th highest in Brazil.

Image:Parque Tingui Curitiba Brasil.jpg

In October 2003 Paraná banned both the cultivation and transportation of genetically modified crops. This is stricter than the national standard, which prohibits commercial cultivation of such crops, but allows experimental cultivation and permits transport. Paraná, Brazil's largest grain producing state, is now also Brazil's largest exporter of organically-grown crops.

[edit] Independence

There are movements in South Brazil that claim for independence, like O Sul é o Meu País.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

Paraná; info from its local government.
Paraná; Official Hotel Guide.
Curitiba.
Brazil Pictures;
Fundação Cultural de Curitiba

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