São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil and the Southern Hemisphere. It is located in the Southeast Region of Brazil. São Paulo is among the world's most populous cities and one of the most cosmopolitan in South America. It is the country's economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since its founding in 1554, São Paulo has been a major influence on Brazil and the world. It is famous for its astounding colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers that stand side by side to complement each other. Some of the places that make it famous include the amazing Paulista Avenue, Ibirapuera Park, Art Galleries, Municipal Market, and the São Paulo Cathedral.

The last census in Brazil was conducted in 2010, with the next one scheduled for 2022. According to the 2010 census, São Paulo had a population of 11,253,503. Compared to other cities in Brazil, São Paulo is considered to be more diverse. According to the 2010 census, 60.6% of the population is white, while the rest is mixed-race, black, Asian or indigenous. This is due to many people moving to the city from different regions and countries. When it comes to religious beliefs, São Paulo is diverse as most people identify themselves as Catholic, Evangelical, Spiritist, and others. According to the 2010 census, 58.2% people in São Paulo identified themselves as Catholic, 22.1% as Evangelical, 1.3% Spiritist, and 18.4% declared no religion or did not answer. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, São Paulo houses over 12 million residents, who collectively speak many languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian, Arabic, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and others.

São Paulo is divided into 32 boroughs, each of them administrated by a subprefecture. The city's administration is coordinated by the City Hall and Mayor, who has executive powers. The Mayor and the Municipal Chamber, São Paulo's legislative body, are elected every four years by the city's residents. The City Hall is responsible for strategic planning, public safety, education, transport, and economic development. The subprefectures are responsible for the administrative divisions of the city, local planning, and public works.

São Paulo has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of having one of the largest city economies in Latin America. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a vibrant culture steeped in commerce. It has a GDP of over R$1.7 trillion, which is about 10 percent of Brazil's total GDP. The size of its economy is larger than that of several South American nations. The Port of Santos, located near São Paulo, is the busiest container port in Latin America.

São Paulo's infrastructure is constantly evolving to keep up with the demands of its growing population. The city's subway system, Metrô de São Paulo, is the largest in Brazil and is continually being expanded. The city also has an extensive bus system and several major highways running through it. The city's water and sewerage infrastructure is managed by Sabesp, a mixed capital company responsible for supplying water and treating sewage in São Paulo state. São Paulo is also home to several telecommunication companies, providing the city with extensive digital connectivity.