Cotia

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Cotia is a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, located west of the big city of São Paulo. It is part of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. The area covers about 324 square kilometers and sits around 853 meters above sea level. In 2022, the population was about 274,000 people.

Cotia began as a village in 1580 and became an independent municipality on April 2, 1856. The town includes the main district (the headquarters) and Caucaia do Alto. In the past, Jandira, Itapevi, and Vargem Grande Paulista were part of Cotia but are now separate municipalities. The area has historic sites like Mandú Ranch and Padre Inácio’s Ranch, which are preserved today.

Geography: The land has valleys and hills, with elevations reaching up to about 1,074 meters. The Cotia River is the main river in the area.

Economy: The economy is diverse, with industry and farming playing important roles. Along the Raposo Tavares highway, factories produce electrical materials, chemicals, ceramics, toys, textiles, explosives, food, wine, brandy, and farming equipment. In farming, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, beans, garlic, and various fruits are common, and poultry farming is well developed. In 2014 there were about 1,200 licensed companies, and by early 2015 there were more than 6,000 micro-entrepreneurs.

Transport and services: Cotia is connected by the Raposo Tavares highway. Telecommunication and internet services are provided by Vivo (formerly Telecom São Paulo, bought by Telefônica in 1998 and rebranded in 2012). The city has a dense urban core and areas to the west that attract ecotourism.