São Carlos is an inland city in São Paulo state, Brazil, with about 255,000 people, set roughly 230 km from São Paulo city. Founded in the second half of the 19th century, it grew through coffee, immigration, rail links and later industry, before becoming one of Brazil’s best-known university and research centres. Today São Carlos is often called the “National Capital of Technology,” thanks to the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), two University of São Paulo campuses, Embrapa research centres and a strong technology sector. The city has a practical, student-driven feel rather than a classic tourist-centre atmosphere, with bars, restaurants, parks and cultural spaces spread around the central area and university districts. Key sights include the São Carlos Cathedral, the old railway station area, Parque do Kartódromo, the science and aviation-related museums, and day trips into the surrounding countryside of central São Paulo state. Getting in and around is straightforward by road from São Paulo, Campinas and Ribeirão Preto, with intercity buses and regional transport serving the city.

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