Águas de São Pedro
Recognizing the importance of the thermal springs in the region, the São Paulo State Government on 19 June 1940 founded the (Hydromineral and Climatic Spa of Águas de São Pedro). Despite this, the city celebrates its birthday on 25 July, the date in 1940 of the founding of the first major building in the city, the "Grande Hotel" (now "Grande Hotel São Pedro"). The municipality of Águas de São Pedro was incorporated by State Law No.233, of 24 December 1948.
Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul
The history of Rio Grande is as old as the history of the whole region. It was explored by Portuguese sailors led by Martim Afonso de Sousa who sought fortified places along the southern Brazilian coast for a defense against the French corsairs. He discovered the tributary which indirectly connects the Lagoa dos Patos and Lagoa Mirim to the Atlantic Ocean and called the place Rio Grande de São Pedro (lit. "Large River of St. Peter").