Pires do Rio is a municipality in Goiás state, Brazil. It is a prosperous town and a major producer of poultry. Location It is located in the Pires do Rio Microregion. Citybrazil. It is located 144 kilometers from the state capital and is served by highways GO-020, 330 and 414, as well as by several municipal roads. Connections from Goiânia are made by BR-352 / Bela Vista de Goiás / Cristianópolis / BR-352 / G-020 / Santa Cruz de Goiás / Palmelo. Distancias Rodoviarias Sepin Neighboring municipalities are: Caldas Novas, Cristianópolis, Ipameri, Orizona, Palmelo, Santa Cruz de Goiás, Urutaí and Vianópolis. Districts, Villages, and Hamlets Hamlets: Engenheiro Balduino and Soldado Esteves History The city owes its beginnings to the coming of the railroad to Goiás. The railroad company proposed the construction of a railroad station in the region if the lands were made available to start a community. Coronel Lino Teixeira Sampaio, one of the founders of the town, the other one being Balduino Ernesto de Almeida, donated lands from his ranch to build the first houses. An area was reserved for the town and a plan was drawn up. This was never carried out since the residents built their houses outside the area. In 1922 a metal bridge was built over the Rio Corumbá and the settlement began to grow attracting residents from nearby areas. The name, Pires do Rio, was given to the train station and then to the town, in honor of the Minister of Transportation and Public Works of Brazil José Pires do Rio. Source: Sepin. Political information Mayor: Luís Eduardo Pitaluga (January 2009) Eligible voters: Votes for Mayor in last election: Political party: City council: 9 members Demographics Population density: 25.02 inhabitants/km2 (2007) Population in 1980: 19,258 Population in 2009: 27,928 Urban population: 25,031(2007) Rural population: 1,826 (2007) Population growth or loss: a gain of about 9,500 people since 1980 The economy The economy is based on agriculture, cattle raising, services, public administration, and small transformation industries. The soil also has deposits of clay for the manufacture of roof tiles and bricks. Industrial units: 66 (2007) Commercial units: 435 (2007) Bank agencies: Banco do Brasil S.A. - BRADESCO S.A. - Banco Itaú S.A., (August 2007) - CEF Dairy: Indústria e Comércio de Laticínios Pires do Rio Ltda (22/05/2006) Meat packing plant: Nutriza Agroindustrial de Alimentos S/A Motor vehicles Automobiles: 4,481 Pickup trucks: 907 Number of