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The city is a sea port, with industries including textile factories and sugar refining. São Luís is home of the Federal University of Maranhão .

The city celebrates the Bumba-meu-boi festival every June. São Luís was the home town of famous Brazilian Samba singer Alcione.

History

Originally the town was a large village of the Tupinambá tribe. The first Europeans to see it were the French, in 1612, who intended to make it a French colony and renamed it São Luís ("Saint Louis"), for Saint Louis IX of France as a compliment to King Louis XIII. It was invaded by the Dutch and then conquered for PortugalRepublica Portuguesa ( In Detail) National motto: None Official language Portuguese 3 Capital Lisbon President Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Area Total % water World ranking: 109th 92,391 km²0. 5 % Population Total ( 2004) Density World in 1648Events Peace treaty signed at Westphalia ends the Thirty Years' War. The Dutch and the Spanish sign the Treaty of Munster, ending the Eighty Years' War. The Spanish Empire recognizes the Dutch Republic of United Netherlands as a sovereign state, (governed. It is the only state capital in Brazil that was not founded by the Portuguese.

In 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t the city's historical center was made a UNESCO World Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain range, lake, desert, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated for the international World Heritage program administered by UNESCO. The program aims to catalogue, name,. Starting in 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra there has been an extensive program to restore and renovate the colonial era buildings of the city's historical center.