Recife, Brazil » City Info

Recife is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Brazil and is one of the main ports in the Atlantic Ocean. The city attracts many tourists who come to explore Recife’s rich cultural roots and pristine beaches.

Recife is the capital city of the State of Pernambuco, and it is located at the meeting point of Beberibe and Capibaribe River. The city has an important place in Brazil’s cultural, economic, political, and scientific facade.

The name ‘Recife’ is derived from its surrounding coastal reef shoreline. When translated, Recife is Portuguese for ‘reef’. The Portuguese rulers ruled it for many years and have influenced its deep historical and cultural background.

Canals, rivers, bridges, one-way streets, and their resemblance to European cities have led Recife to be known as the ‘Venice of Brazil’. Its many islands and mangroves give it its unique identity. Recife is Brazil’s cultural capital as many famous poets, writers (Manuel Bandeira, João Cabral de Melo Neto), composers (Chico Science, Lenine), and players were born here. High buildings of the present era and colonial structure give the city a mixed look. The city is one of the most important industrial, commercial, and trading centres in the north-eastern region.

The waterfront area in Recife has some of the first-rate restaurants and nightclubs in Brazil. The dance and music of ‘frevo’, typically played in the famous Brazilian carnival and Brazilian rock Mangue beat, have originated in Recife.

Interestingly, Recife is a medically advanced city just behind Sao Paolo. State-of-the-art technology combined with good service has resulted in people from other states coming to Recife to get their medical treatment.

Advanced infrastructure, high-class restaurants, beautiful beaches, excellent nightlife, and its cultural background attract all kinds of tourists to the city of Recife.

CountryBrazil
CityRecife
StatePernambuco
RegionNortheast
AreaMunicipality : 218 km² (84.17 sq.mi.)
 Metro: 2,768 km² (1,068.7 sq.mi.)
Population (2020)Municipality : 1,653,461
 Density: 7,133.2/km² (18,537.9/sq.mi.)
 Metro: 3,743,854
 Metro Density: 1,352.5/km² (3,527/sq.mi.)
Time ZoneUTC-3.00 (BRT)
Official languagePortuguese