Curitiba is the eighth most populous city, and the largest in the southern region of Brazil. The city is one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Curitiba is a no-frills destination, but the residents enjoy a high quality of life. Contemporary art and modern architecture remain sights to behold for visitors, with a unique heritage. According to US magazine Reader’s Digest, Curitiba is the best “Latin American Big City” in which to live.
Since it was declared the capital of the state of Paraná in 1853, the city has gone through several major urban planning projects to avoid uncontrolled growth and thus has become an international role model.
Considered one of Brazil’s most modern and well-appointed stadiums, the city’s main stadium, Estadio Joaquim Americo, better known as the Arena da Baixada, underwent a complete renovation in 1999.
However, In preparation for the World Cup match, the stadium has experienced another renovation to further improve the facility with extra rows of seating. The end result is a stadium with the capacity for 40,000 people to cheer on the World Cup.
When one is not watching live football matches, local dining establishments can make an evening’s walk worthwhile, enjoying the exciting nightlife and visiting historic attractions.
Curitiba and the Baixada Arena will host four group stage matches in the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
The first match to be played in Paraná will be Iran v Nigeria on the 16 of June, four days after the beginning of the World Cup. The second match will take place on the 20 of June between Honduras and Ecuador, Australia v Spain for 23, then the last on the 26 of June will be Algeria v Russia.
Did you know : Curitiba hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Two matches were played in the Estádio Vila Capanema which was Curitiba’s most modern and comfortable stadium then, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators.
On June 25, 1950, Spain beat the United States of America, 3 – 1 and in the 29th day of that month, Paraguay drew 2 – 2 against Sweden.
Uruguay, who had won the inaugural competition in 1930, clinched that edition of the World Cup, by beating the hosts Brazil 2–1 in the deciding match of the four-team final group.
