Olá from Brazil

Hélio Magalhães, Brazil's Citi Country Officer, is our guide to São Paulo, site of Citi Brazil's headquarters.

Present in Brazil since 1915, Citi is currently in 11 states and the Federal District. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Citi's operations in Brazil, a very special milestone for our franchise. To celebrate our 100^th anniversary, Citi Brazil will give a lasting gift to São Paulo – a sculpture by renowned artist Tomie Ohtake to be placed on Paulista Avenue where Citi has its headquarters – and we will hold events for clients and Citi colleagues.

Official language: Portuguese

Currency: The Brazilian Real

Weather: São Paulo's weather is altitude tropical, characterized by summer rains and average annual temperature between 19º C and 27º C (66 to 80 degrees F). Formerly known as the "drizzle city," São Paulo has seen increased average temperature and decreased frequency of rains and mists. It is common that all four seasons can be experienced in a single day in the city.

Brazilian Cuisine: Brazilian cuisine is the result of a mixture of European, Indigenous and African ingredients and each of the Brazilian states has its own typical dishes. The city of São Paulo is considered a gastronomic capital of international renown where it is possible to find dishes from different regions of the world. Among others, one of the main traditional delicacies of the city is the pastel — a half-circle or rectangle-shaped thin crust pie with assorted fillings that is fried in vegetable oil.

Favorite Local Beverage:

Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça (sugar cane hard liquor), sugar and fruit, most commonly lime. Cachaça is Brazil's most common distilled alcoholic beverage (also known as pinga or caninha). The drink is prepared by smashing the fruit and the sugar together and adding the liquor. This can be made in a single large glass that can be shared by several people or in a larger jar where it is then served in individual glasses.

Best Tourist Sites:

• Masp: Located on Paulista Avenue, Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (Masp) is one of the most important museums in the Southern Hemisphere. It has a permanent collection of 8,000 artworks under National Heritage trust and exhibits the works of famous national and international artists.

• Museu Paulista (Museu do Ipiranga): The museum was built between 1885 and 1890 as a monument to the proclamation of Brazil's independence from Portugal in 1822.
• Ibirapuera: Ibirapuera is one of the most visited parks in São Paulo. The second largest park in the city, it features bike paths, 13 courts and playgrounds, lakes, lawns for picnics and bicycle rentals. Ibirapuera also has cultural centers such as the Modern Art Museum (MAM); the Bienal Pavilion, the site of many important events; and Oca, known for hosting prestigious exhibitions.

• Downtown: São Paulo's downtown features historic and must-see places such as the Sé Cathedral, one of the five largest neo-Gothic temples in the world. Across from the cathedral is the "Marco Zero," a marble monument in hexagonal shape that depicts a map of roads from São Paulo to other states. The Municipal Theater, another major attraction, was built in 1903.

What I Love About São Paulo: São Paulo is not just a huge metropolis, but a unique city and a center of diversity. Offering entertainment, culture and business, São Paulo brings together many different styles and provides residents and visitors whatever they need, at any time.