- the Sítio do Picapau Amarelo ( loosely translated as the Yellow Woodpecker Estate) owned by the central character to all of M L's books, one Dona Benta, a cultivated widow living alone in the farmlet with her black female servant Nastácia. Dona Benta's grandchildren spend their summer holidays with her and most stories revolve around that scenario, which incidentally was inspired in M L's own property. José Bento de Monteiro Lobato was the grandnephew of the Viscount of Tremembé, a historical figure who lived in the region of Taubaté during the second half of the 19th century, in the days when Brazil, a constitutional monarchy independent from Portugal, was an expanding economy largely dependent on its coffee plantations. Unsurprisingly, in 06/01/10 Taubaté was granted, by the Chamber of Deputies, the title of National Capital of Children's literature. Another very important man in Taubatean and Brazilian history was Amacio Mazzaropi who was one of the pioneers in the movie industry, creating many classics that show a rural Brazil in the first half of the 20th century. Mazzaropi embodies what might be described as a rural Brazilian stereotype, the Jeca – a dude – whose emotions and sentiments are universal but which nevertheless reflect his immediate environment and culture. Mazzaropi the actor and film maker was himself epitomic of another influence in that part of the country: the son of Italian immigrants who falls in love with his new homeland, although, it must be said, none of his roles reflects this, since what Amacio endeavoured to portray at all times was the somewhat raw, idillyc and also very dainty environment of the coffee growing regions of his birthplace and their pretty cities in the lush tropical landscape. Sports Esporte Clube Taubaté is a football club based in the city. The main competition played by the club is the Campeonato Paulista Série A2, the second level of the São Paulo state professional football championship. Taubaté have a volleyball team, one of top 4 of Brazil. Quality of life Taubaté has been ranked by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) the 21st out of 645 cities in the State in terms of quality of life, (safety, schooling, medical and dental care, transportation facilities, low pollution levels, piped sewage and piped water reaching all houses, etc.). Twin towns – sister cities Taubaté is twinned with: Yonezawa, Japan Wolfsburg, Germany Tupungato, Argentina References External links