Caldas Novas
Caldas Novas () is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Goiás. It is considered by many to be the largest hydro-thermal resort in the world. Location Caldas Novas is located 170 km south of state capital, Goiânia, with good roads linking to that city. It belongs to the Meia Ponte Microregion, which has 338,147 inhabitants (2007) in 21 cities and a total area of 21,229.00 km2. Highway connections are made by BR-352 / Bela Vista de Goiás / GO-147 / Piracanjuba / GO-217 / GO-139 / GO-213. See Sepin for a complete list of all distances in Goiás Neighboring municipalities are: North: Santa Cruz de Goiás and Piracanjuba South: Corumbaíba East: Ipameri West: Rio Quente and Morrinhos The city and region are served by Nelson Ribeiro Guimarães Airport. Demographics Population density in 2007: 39.13 inhabitants/km2 Population growth rate 1996/2007: 4.18.% Total population in 2007: 62,204 Total population in 1980: 11,274 Urban population in 2007: 55,376 Rural population in 2007: 2,140 Population change: the population has grown from 11,000 in 1980. Politics Eligible voters in 2007: 43,274 City government in 2005: mayor (Magda Mofatto Hon), vice-mayor (Silvânia Fernandes e Silva), and 10 councilmembers. Besides the municipal seat there are the "povoados" (villages) of Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Vila de Furnas; and the "aglomerados" (hamlets) of Junqueilândia, Paraíso and Sapé. History In 1777 Martinho Coelho and Gustavo- Mauricio Silva De Carvalho Alves discovered the hot water springs that became known as Caldas de Piratinga, later changing the name to Caldas, on the banks of the Caldas River. The discover registered the land and established a ranch on the left bank of the river, which he named "Fazenda das Caldas". Gold was found in small quantities attracting prospectors and others in search of cures in the hot waters. In 1850 another settlement arose on the right bank of the river near the hot springs, where a church was soon built. In 1857 Caldas Novas became a district and in 1911 it became a municipality. Economy The main source of income of the municipality is tourism. Caldas Novas is known throughout Brazil as one of the largest hydrothermal resorts in the world so in the high season the city receives as many as 100,000 tourists and at carnival as many as 300,000 people. Almost two thousand people are employed in this sector. The infrastructure of the city has more than 80 hotels and pensions (12,000 beds), (many with heated swimming pools and all with hot water produced by the natural thermal system), chalets, clubs, nightclubs, bars and restaurants. (All data are from Sepin/IBGE) Economic Data (2007) Industrial establishments: 144 Financial Institutions in 2007: Banco do Brasil S.A. - Bradesco S.A. - Banco Itaú S.A. - CEF - HSBC Bank Brasil S.A. -Banco Multiplo Dairies: Laticínios Serina Ltda.; - Coop. M. dos Prod. de Leite de Morrinhos Ltda. Retail establishments in 2007: 1,282 Industrial district: Distrito Agroindustrial de Caldas Novas (June/2006) Automobiles: 10,500 (2007) Main agricultural products in ha.(2006) cotton: 120 rice: 600