Quick answerSão Paulo is the largest city of Brazil, with 11,904,961 people inside the city limits in 2025. The wider metropolitan area had about 21.5 million people in 2025. It is best known for the Avenida Paulista, the Ibirapuera Park and the São Paulo Museum of Art. Its official language is Portuguese, and its currency is the Brazilian real.
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, with about 11.9 million people inside the city limits and about 21.5 million in the wider metropolitan area (2025). It stands on a plateau in south-eastern Brazil and is the country's financial and cultural capital.
Key facts
| Country | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 11,904,961 (2025) |
| Population (metro) | 21,518,955 (2025) · Greater São Paulo (Grande São Paulo), 2025 |
| Elevation | 760 m above sea level |
| Time zone | America/Sao_Paulo |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Currency | Brazilian real (BRL, R$) |
| Coordinates | 23.55° S, 46.6333° W |
Overview
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and in South America. The city proper covers 1,521 square kilometres and had 11,904,961 residents in 2025, while the wider metropolitan area, Greater São Paulo, held 21,518,955 people — one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. São Paulo stands on a plateau about 760 metres above sea level, some 70 kilometres inland from the Atlantic coast.
The city grew from a Jesuit mission founded in 1554 and became Brazil's economic engine in the 19th century, first on coffee, then on industry and finance. Today it hosts the São Paulo Stock Exchange, the headquarters of most of Brazil's largest companies, and the country's busiest cultural life — its museums, theatres and restaurants are among the best in Latin America. The Avenida Paulista is the city's main avenue, and the Ibirapuera Park is its great green space.
São Paulo is known for its size, its diversity and its pace. It is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan, large Italian, Arab and Jewish communities, and migrants from all over Brazil, and its food reflects that mix. The city is also famous for its art, from the São Paulo Museum of Art to its street murals, and for its football clubs, including Corinthians, Palmeiras and São Paulo FC. The city's markets, parks and neighbourhoods reward a longer stay.
What São Paulo is known for
- Avenida Paulista
- Ibirapuera Park
- São Paulo Museum of Art
- Financial centre
- Diverse food
Landmarks
- Avenida Paulista
- Ibirapuera Park
- São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP)
- São Paulo Cathedral
- Liberdade
- Municipal Market
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of São Paulo?
About 11.9 million people live inside the São Paulo city limits (11,904,961 in 2025, according to IBGE). The wider metropolitan area, Greater São Paulo, had 21,518,955 people that year. São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and in South America.
What is São Paulo famous for?
São Paulo is famous as Brazil's financial and business capital, home to the São Paulo Stock Exchange and the headquarters of most of the country's largest companies. It is also known for the Avenida Paulista, Ibirapuera Park, the São Paulo Museum of Art and its food, shaped by Japanese, Italian and Arab communities.
Where is São Paulo located?
São Paulo is in south-eastern Brazil, on a plateau about 760 metres above sea level and some 70 kilometres inland from the Atlantic coast. It is the capital of the state of São Paulo. Its coordinates are 23.55° S, 46.63° W, and its time zone is UTC−3.
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Keep exploring
- Brazil — the country São Paulo is in
- Rio de Janeiro — another city in Brazil
- Brasília — another city in Brazil
- Salvador — another city in Brazil
- All cities in Brazil
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.