Curitiba, city, capital of Paraná estado (state), southern Brazil. It lies about 3,050 feet (930 metres) above sea level near the Atlantic margin of the Brazilian Highlands and the headwaters of the Iguaçu River.

Known as one of the greenest cities in the world and a "laboratory of urban planning," Curitiba, the capital of the southern state of Paraná, Brazil, features a combination of cultural attractions, architectural marvels, and innovative design that make it a great destination. Travelers can experience the culture of Brazil by seeing a show at the unique Wire Opera House, sampling international foods and drinks in the Italian Woods (Bosque Italiano) neighborhood, taking a walking tour of the historic district, catching views of the city from a lookout tower, and enjoying other great activities in Curitiba.

It was founded in 1654 as a gold-mining camp, but the processing of maté (tea) and wood products brought long-term growth. In 1854 Curitiba became the state capital. From the early 19th century it received many German, Italian, and Polish settlers, and immigration continued during the 20th century with the arrival of Syrians and Japanese, as well as a massive influx of internal migrants from rural areas. Since 1940 Curitiba has sustained rapid economic and population growth. From the early 1970s the city underwent extensive rejuvenation, which included the creation of new lakes and flood-control systems, large parks, and other recreational facilities. It also introduced recycling programs, zoning regulations, and specialized busing services that made it a model of clean environmental urban planning. Most of this development was under the direction of Jaime Lerner, an architect and engineer who held three terms as mayor of the city and two terms as governor of the state.

Designed by architect Domingos Bongestabs, the striking Wire Opera House (Ópera de Arame) is a round structure constructed with steel and covered with transparent polycarbonate. Located in the middle of an artificial lake in Parque das Pedreiras, the opera house is surrounded by lush vegetation and waterfalls in a former quarry area only accessible by a small footbridge.

The Wire Opera House hosts a variety of operatic and other musical performances throughout the year as well as several cultural events and festivities. Performances take place on the open-air, 5,175-square-foot (481-square-meter) stage known as Espaço Cultural Paulo Leminski, named for a Curitiba poet.

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