Campina Grande is the second largest city of the state of Paraiba, Brazil. Paraiba is located in northeast Brazil and has a population of 3.75 million. Part of the state borders the Atlantic Ocean, and a number of artists and poets are known to have come from this state.
On this day October 11th, in 1864, the town of Campina Grande becomes a city. Campina Grande was founded by Captain Teodósio de Oliveira Ledo who was from Paraiba. Campina Grande was originally a farming town.
In 1852 there were nearly 18,000 people that lived in Campina Grande, but unfortunately a disease spread killing 1,550 people in 1856. Campina Grande has been referred to as the “Brazilian Silicon Valley” for its software development and in 1967 it was the first place in northeast Brazil to receive a computer. The city now has 50 different software companies. The people of Campina Grande also enjoy celebrations, as the whole month of June is dedicated to celebrating Saint John’s festival.