Com quase 280 mil habitantes, segundo estimativas do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE, 2015), Santa Maria é considerada uma cidade media e de grande influência na região central do estado. É a 5a cidade mais populosa do Rio Grande do Sul e, isoladamente, a maior de sua região.
With almost 280 thousand inhabitants, according to estimates of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE, 2015), Santa Maria is considered a medium-sized city and has a great influence in the central region of the state. It is the 5th most populous city in Rio Grande do Sul and the largest in its region.
Santa Maria is considered a university city thanks to the Federal University of Santa Maria, created by José Mariano da Rocha Filho in 1960 (it is the first federal university created in the countryside). Besides UFSM, it has seven more higher education institutions.
With regard to tourism, the Municipal Tourism Office provides a Tourist Bus with two itineraries, allowing you to visit the historical center of the municipality and region. In addition, adventure, paleontological, religious and rural tourism can be made and more information can be obtained at www.santamaria.rs.gov.br/turismo.
Rio Branco Avenue at night (downtown) – Municipal Tourism Office
Rio Branco Avenue (downtown) – Municipal Tourism Office
Our Lady Mediatrix Basilica- João Vilnei
Metropolitan Catedral – Municipal Tourism Office
Locomotive – Municipal Tourism Office
Eduardo Kobra Panel/ Biblioteca Municipal – João Vilnei
Planetarium UFSM – Municipal Tourism Office
Saldanha Marinho square- Maria Luiza Guerra
View of Santa Maria (downtown) – Felipe Pires
Schoenstatt Sanctuary – Municipal Tourism Office
The Treze de Maio theater – Municipal Tourism Office
Adventure tourism – Municipal Tourism Office
The Belga village – Felipe Pires