Christmas, known as the City of the Sun, is the capital of the Brazilian state of Big Rio of the North. In agreement with the census accomplished by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) in the year 2005, its population belonged to 778.040 inhabitants. Endowed with natural beauties, it attracts about 2 million tourists a year, that seek Carnatal, one of the largest micaretas of Brazil for example. Geography THE climate is tropical and the annual medium temperature is of 26°C. It forms, with the municipal districts of Parnamirim, Macaíba, Extremoz, São Gonçalo of Amarante, Ceará-Mirim, Nísia Floresta and São José of Mipibu the Metropolitan Area of Christmas, maid through the law complemental n° 152, of January 16, 1997. The urban gathering of Christmas, counting this zone envolvente, he/she has about 1.240.734 inhabitants. Founded history on December 25 (of there its name) of 1599. It was occupied by the Dutchmen between 1633 and 1654 that gave it the name of New Amsterdam. During Second World War (SGM) it served as allied base of support to the actions in the African continent, through the Aerial Base (today Airport) located in Parnamirim, in the Metropolitan Area. Main marks historical Fort of Reis Magos. The first and older construction of the city, built originally by the Portuguese. Center of Tourism of Built Christmas about the end of the century XIX, went shelter to beggars, orphanage and custody house (prison). Since 1976, it shelters the Center of Tourism. Cathedral New Nova.Catedral Its construction delayed more than 30 years and yours the architectural project is quite heady, with uncommon aspect. Light of the Mãe Luísa is used to guide the ships in the coast of Christmas, having been built in 1951, the tower has 37 m of height. Column Of the Capitol Roman Column donated by Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy to the city. Ramp Old place of it embarks and landing of hydroplanes and encounter point between Getúlio Vargas and Franklin Delano Roosevelt during SGM. Economy THE economy of the city of Christmas is based basically on the trade, in the industry, in the mineral extraction and mainly in the tourism, getting to concentrate 25% of its population now economically activates as labor working in that activity. Although its main natural attractiveness are along the coast, out of the limits of the municipal district, it is in Christmas that concentrates most of the hotels, shoppings, restaurants and bars; mainly in the Coastal Road (Hotels) and in the Beach of Black Point (bars, restaurants shoppings and craft stores). The port service in spite of already to be being modernized and to present competitive tariffs, he/she still leaves to want, therefore many of the products of export of the state still leave the country through the port of Suape, in Pernambuco. The Aeroporto Augusto Severo, located in the municipal district of Parnamirim, it was enlarged recently; though, due to the astronomical growth of the tourism it will be necessary other reform before the conclusion of the new airport in the municipal district of São Gonçalo of Amarante and refund of the current for the Brazilian Aerial Force. Education Has two public institutions of higher education whose thirst and main campus are placed in Christmas: the Federal University of Big Rio of the North (UFRN) and the Federal Center of Technological Education of Big Rio of the North (CEFET-RN), both maintained by the Federal Government. There is still a campus of the University of the State of Big Rio of the North (UERN), maintained by the State Government. The Federal University of Big Rio of the North is the main center of university teaching and of scientific research of the State. There is, also, several private institutions of higher education in Christmas, some of the which acting in several teaching areas. The largest and more acquaintances are the Universidade Potiguar (UnP) and FARN, maintained by the League of Teaching of Big Rio of the North.