São Paulo

São Paulo pron.IPA: [sɐ̃w̃ 'paw.lu]; Portuguese for Saint Paul) is the capital of the state of São Paulo in Southeastern Brazil.

The city (limits) has an area of 1,523.0 square kilometres (588.0 sq. miles) and a population of just over 11 million (2006 IBGE estimate), which makes it the most populous in the Southern Hemisphere. Because São Paulo is sprawling like Los Angeles, it has two definitions for its metropolitan area. By its CSA (Combined Statistical Area) type definition of metropolitan area, it is the second largest city with 29 million inhabitants (Complexo Metropolitano Expandido), only Greater Tokyo being more populous. The more narrowly defined greater São Paulo metropolitan area, which doesn't include Campinas, Baixada Santista and many other nearby areas (Região Metropolitana de São Paulo) has around 19.7 million inhabitants (2006), making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the world.

People from the city of São Paulo are known as paulistanos, while paulista designates anyone from the whole of São Paulo state, including the paulistanos. The city's Latin motto is Non ducor, duco, which translates as "I am not led, I lead". A famous nickname for the city is "Sampa".

Sao Paulo is also known for its smog, its commuter helicopter fleet, unreliable weather, and multitude of skyscrapers, having the 7th position in the Skyline ranking.