Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, is amongst the cities with the highest Human Development Indicators in Brazil. It became known worldwide for hosting the World Social Forum - an event that gathers third sector organizations and delegates from hundreds of countries - from 2001 to 2003, 2005 and 2010.

The high life quality of Porto Alegre is strongly in evidence for the ones who come to visit it. Along the sidewalks there are around 1 million planted trees, not to mention the vegetation of its 11 parks, the many squares and biological reserves that make the air always pleasant for its approximately 1.3 million inhabitants.

Gathering the intense rhythm of a metropolis with the serene habits of a small town, Porto Alegre is a cosmopolitan city that offers a wide range of cultural options, besides its well-known gastronomic and shopping routes.

As far as the Mercosur is concerned, Porto Alegre is located midway between Brazil’s main business centers - as the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo - and the capitals of other member countries, such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Due to such a privileged position, the city became the main route for international business in Mercosur (the States-parties to the Montevidéo Treaty are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela).

Some of Porto Alegre's greatest attractions are the "Historical Downtown", which houses the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Piratini Palace and the São Pedro Theatre; and the famous sunset by Guaíba River shore, the most romantic postcard of the capital. Furthermore, delegates at UFRGSMUN will be able to enjoy the moment of cultural turbulence brought by the tradicional Porto Alegre's Book Fair, whose 55th edition will take place around November 2010.

For all that, Porto Alegre is a city to visit, to live in, to admire and to love. We hope you, UFRGSMUNers, feel very welcome in our city and enjoy the very best of it. See you soon!