Ethnic São Paulo – Convention

São Paulo, Brazil, is a bustling multicultural metropolis of 20 million people. It’s home to the largest Lebanese population outside Lebanon and the largest Japanese population outside Japan. The city’s biggest ethnic group is Italian, ­numbering more than six million ­people. While you’re in São Paulo for the 2015 Rotary convention, 6–9 June, get to know some of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods:

Liberdade Stop by the Museum of Japanese Immigration to find out why São Paul has such a large ­Japanese population — then eat at one of the many inviting sushi restaurants in the district.

Bela Vista A former Italian ­settlement, this area is home to some of the best theatres, bakeries and restaurants in the city.

Vila Madalena and Pinheiros Samba, shop and snack in São ­Paulo’s two bohemian neighbourhoods, home to myriad clubs and ­performance spaces.

Bom Retiro In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this area flourished as a garment district populated by ­Jewish immigrants. Today it’s home to a growing Korean population.

Brás Italians, Greeks and ­Armenians initially made up most of this neighbourhood. Now many ­Bolivian and Korean immigrants call it home.

Register for the 2015 RI Convention in São Paulo by March 31, for a reduced rate. Go to www.riconvention.org.