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Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia, Brazil. With a charming Old Town, a vibrant musical scene and popular Carnaval celebrations, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Brazilian culture. Overview. Map.
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Nov 12, 2023 · About Salvador. The Facts: State: Bahia. Region: Northeast. Population: ~ 2,900,000. Metropolitan population: ~ 3,920,000. Written and fact-checked by Ontheworldmap.com team. Last Updated: November 12, 2023.
Experience the historic charm and spectacular beauty of Brazil’s first capital. Salvador is recognized for being the center of Afro-Brazilian culture and this aspect is reflected in every corner of the city, in the cuisine and rhythms of this unique place, which was the first Brazilian capital.
Did you know that besides being Bahia’s capital, Salvador was the first Brazilian capital? In this complete travel guide, you will find even more curiosities, tips about what to do in Salvador, information about tourist attractions, museums and churches in the city.
- Overview
- History
- The contemporary city
Salvador, city, major port, and capital (since 1889) of Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is the country’s third largest city. Salvador is situated at the southern tip of a picturesque, bluff-formed peninsula that separates Todos os Santos (All Saints) Bay, a deep natural harbour, from the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a hot tropical cli...
One of the country’s oldest cities, Salvador was founded in 1549 as the capital of the Portuguese colony of Brazil by Tomé de Sousa, the first governor-general. As the entrepôt of the thriving sugar trade that developed along the bay shores, the city soon became a tempting prize for pirates and enemies of Portugal. It was captured by Dutch forces in 1624 but was retaken the following year. It remained under Portuguese control for the next two centuries. Salvador was the last Portuguese stronghold during the war for Brazilian independence, holding out until July 1823, when the last Portuguese troops were expelled. A monument commemorating the Brazilian victory is in a plaza in the Campo Grande district.
Salvador was a major centre for the African slave trade in the colonial period. Muslim African slaves in the city staged a widespread revolt there in 1835. Salvador still has one of the largest concentrations of black and mulatto populations in Brazil. Those groups have contributed many of the folkways, costumes, and distinctive foods for which the city is noted.
Imports consist chiefly of manufactured goods, while exports include tobacco, sugar, sisal, hides, castor beans, aluminum, iron ore, and petroleum from the nearby Candeias oil field. Food and tobacco processing, textile, ceramics, and automobile manufacturing, chemical production, metallurgy, woodworking and leatherworking, and shipbuilding and repair are Salvador’s main industries. The port of Salvador is one of the finest in Brazil and includes a yacht harbour. Salvador is well served by domestic and foreign shipping lines and airlines, and there are rail and bus connections with central and southern Brazil. An international airport is located about 12 miles (20 km) northeast of the city centre. Tourism, based on the city’s historic sites and the fine beaches that ring it on three sides, has become a significant component of the economy.
A distinctive feature of Salvador is its division into lower (cidade baixa) and upper (cidade alta) parts. The port, commercial district, and adjoining residential zones lie at the foot of a cliff on a low shelf of land facing west onto the bay, only a few feet above sea level. The principal shopping districts, state and municipal government offices, and leading residential areas are on the upper level, extending northward for several miles and eastward to the Atlantic shore. In addition, most of the city’s historic sights are near the edge of the upper city. The old city centre, the Pelourinho (“Pillory”), was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. The area underwent considerable restoration work in the 1990s, and many colonial-era buildings were preserved. The upper and lower sections are connected by a few graded winding roads, a funicular railway, and several elevators. The Lacerda elevator, an outstanding landmark, is the chief link, lifting passengers 234 feet (71 metres) between the separate streetcar systems.
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- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
1985 (9th Session) Salvador[n 1] is a Brazilian municipality and capital city of the state of Bahia. Situated in the Zona da Mata in the Northeast Region of Brazil, Salvador is recognized throughout the country and internationally for its cuisine, music, and architecture. The African influence in many cultural aspects of the city makes it a ...
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Map of Salvador. Located in north-eastern Brazil and enjoying a peninsula setting, Salvador is often referred to as Salvador da Bahia and serves as the capital of the Bahia state. The city stands alongside the Atlantic coast, at the mouth of the Bay.
