1852 under the name of Vila Nova do Poty
(because its origin is linked to the Poti river) as the capital of the state of
Piauí. It was the first planned city in the country and the only northeast
capital located out of the coast. Until 1852, Oeiras was the capital of the
Piauí Capitany, however due to difficulties in Communication and Trade, the
capital was transferred to an area next to the Parnaíba River, to the other
cities and to the sea coast. The colonization of the place where Teresina is
now located dates back to the 18th century. The chosen place was a small
community of fishermen, in 1760, nearby Poty and Panaíba rivers. Then the small
fishermen dwelling grew up and became a village, which was called “Vila do
Poty”, but, due to the inundation of the Parnaíba River riverbanks, the city
had to be built in a higher position. In the 19th century, it was initially
called "Vila Nova do Poty", but later the city was renamed Teresina,
in honor of the Empress Teresa Cristina, the wife of the Emperor of Brazil,
Pedro II.
Teresina is the hottest city in the country
and the third city with the major incidence of lightning in the world.
Nowadays, Teresina’s economy is based on international manufacturing industries
and trade
