Catanduva, São Paulo, Southeast Region, Brazil

🇧🇷 Catanduva is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Is the second largest city in the Northern part of the state, after São José do Rio Preto. The city has a diversified economy, and the cultivation and processing of sugarcane is relevant. Catanduva is the centre of the microregion of Catanduva.

History The history of Catanduva begins in the middle of the 19th century, in lands that belonged to Araraquara and, posteriorly, originated the cities of Monte Alto, Jaboticabal and São José do Rio Preto. In the beginning of the 20th century, Catanduva was known as Cerradinho, a small village.

On December 16, 1909, the village was elevated to district, with the name of Vila Adolpho, and on April 14, 1918, the municipality of Catanduva was established.

The founders of Catanduva remain unknown, as there are two different histories. One of the versions tells that the small community of "Cerradinho", a little town built on the banks of the São Domingos river, was founded by the Figueiredo family, from Minas Gerais. The other famous version tells that the city was founded by Antônio Maximiano Rodrigues, also from Minas Gerais, who bought lands on the region, by the end of the 19th century. Later, part of these lands were donated to the São Domingos (Saint Dominic) parish. Saint Dominic is the patron saint of Catanduva.

Name Catanduva (Caa-tã-dyba in Tupi-guarani language) is a word of indigenous origin meaning "rough grass" or "unhealthy vegetation". It is a reference to the Brazilian Cerrado, the region's typical vegetation.

Geography: Hydrography • São Domingos river • ribeirão "Barro Preto" • ribeirão "Fundo" • ribeirão "Dos Coqueiros" • ribeirão "Do retirinho" • ribeirão "Jacu"

Economy The economic basis of the city is the Tertiary sector. Commerce and services corresponds to 70.5% of the GDP. The Industry is responsible for 28.5% of the city GDP. Mechanical fan is one of the main exported products of Catanduva. The cultivation and processing of sugarcane is relevant in the region.

Demographics • Area: 290.6 km² (166.5 sq mi) • Population density: 388.24/km² (2,451.5/sq mi) • Urbanization: 99.2% (2010) • Sex ratio (Males to Females): 94.77 (2011) • Birth rate: 12.65/1,000 inhabitants (2009) • Infant mortality: 9.17/1,000 births (2009) • HDI: 0.833 (UNDP/2000).

Sport Grêmio Catanduvense de Futebol is the city's professional football club. It replaced other now-defunct football clubs, Catanduva Esporte Clube, Grêmio Esportivo Catanduvense, Catanduva Esporte e Clube, and Clube Atlético Catanduvense. The city's stadium is the Estádio Municipal Sílvio Salles.