Poá

Poá is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The water extracted from Fonte Áurea, or the Golden Fountain, is sold throughout Brazil. The population is 103,765 (2022 est.) in an area of 17.26 km².

Poá is one of the eleven municipalities in São Paulo considered to be spas by the state of São Paulo, as they meet certain prerequisites defined by state law. This status guarantees these municipalities a larger budget from the state for the development of regional tourism. In addition, the municipality acquires the right to add to its name the title of spa, a term by which it is designated both in official municipal records and in state references. The main sector of Poá's economy is services, since the installation of polluting industries was made difficult after 1970, the year in which it became a spa. In terms of territory, it is one of the smallest municipalities in the state of São Paulo (larger only than Águas de São Pedro and São Caetano do Sul). The verticalization of the city center is discouraged, with the aim of preserving the city's rural atmosphere, with narrow streets and the preservation of several old buildings.

The municipality was created by state law in 1948.

Poá is one of eleven municipalities considered spa towns (Estancia Hidromineral) by the state of São Paulo, fulfilling certain prerequisites set by state law. This status ensures that these municipalities more money from the state to promote regional tourism and beyond that the city acquired the right to add the title "Estancia Hidromineral" to its name, a term which is designated by both the municipal expedient as the official state references. Poá's economy is mainly service-focused, since the installation of polluting industries has been banned since 1970, the year it became a spa town. Territory-wise, is one of the smallest municipalities in the state of São Paulo (only bigger than Aguas de São Pedro and São Caetano do Sul).

Verticalization in the city center is discouraged to preserve the small-town atmosphere of the city, with narrow streets and the preservation of several old buildings. The council is not the richest in the region, but still outperforms its neighbors in several social indicators, thus signaling that the economic growth of Poá is more equal and sustainable than in other cities, and that its population has a better quality of life due to public facilities (schools, parks and health units). In indexes like the human development index, the child development index and the index of development of basic education, Poá surpasses all municipalities. In 2007 it was considered one of the safest cities of São Paulo, specifically the 5th, behind only São Caetano do Sul, Barueri, Caieiras and Mogi das Cruzes.

The climate of the city and across the metropolitan region of São Paulo, is subtropical. Little hot and rainy summer. Mild winters and sub. The average annual temperature is around 18C °, the coldest month is July (average of 14 °C) and the warmest is February (average of 22 °C). Annual rainfall is around 1400 mm.

Poá has a strong vocation for tourism, although this sector of the economy still is not the main activity of the municipality. Because of the lack of investment, the city hardly explores this market.

An example of a tourist attraction, is the municipal spa Vicente Leporace, located in front of the Fonte Aúrea, which was opened in 1970 as a condition for the council to receive the title of hidromineral and tourist resort. After being used for 30 years, it was deactivated at the beginning of the decade, because the mayor at the time, Eduardo Carlos Felippe, felt that there was no need to have a spa in the city. Since then the site is used as a physiotherapy center.^{[citation needed]}