The biggest city in South America is a city of immigrants and ethnic neighbourhoods. An estimated 20 million people live in this plateau megalopolis, many of them descendants of Italian and Japanese migrants. Strong industrial development and cultural diversity have provided.

It has a humid subtropical climate. Temperatures seldom reach 30 during summer, while frost is rare during winter. Rainfall is abundant, especially in the warmer months, but rare between June and August.

Live music, a disco or just a bar to hang out in, you won have much of a problem in Sao Paulo. There are four main centres for nightlife Bixiga, with good bars and live music, Jardins, with some good neighbourhood bars, Itaim Bibi and Vila Olimpia, best known for its flashy nightclubs and Vila Madalena and adjoining Pinheiros, fast becoming known for its trendier, slightly alternative scene.

In such an enormous city where the hustle and bustle is constant the chance to step out of that and in to a more relaxed environment is precious.

Take some time at the Parque da Luz where the tree lined walkways, statues and open spaces offer a peaceful alternative. More tropical is the Parque Tenente Siqueira Campos, known also as Trainon Park, which is more of a rain forest experience.

Shopping is in different areas, each specialising in different aspects. Rua Santa Ifigenia for electrical goods, Rua Oscar Freire for designer fashions and Rua Teodoro Sampaio for furniture to name but a few. Part of this organisation stems from the cities history, and is a reminder of how things used to be in most places many years ago - with specialist districts for different needs.

The variety of eating options is one of the great joys, though the quality is often disappointing, not least at the more expensive end of the scale.

This huge exhibition of artists from around Brazil as well as around the world gathers on the edge of Ibirapuera Park for the biggest visual arts exhibition in Latin America.

This event takes place every September or October of the even numbered years. The artists are sponsored by their respective countries or by curators who select them for their outstanding works.

The main passion here though is football. Seen by some to offer a route out of poverty it is the biggest sport in Brazil and has a fanatical following.