São Francisco de Goiás is a small town and municipality in central Goiás state, Brazil. The population was 6,044 (2005 estimate) in a total area of 339.3 km².
The main rivers that cross the municipalitiy are Rio Pari, Lagoinha, das Almas, and Padre Souza. The climate is classified as tropical, hot and simi-moist. The average temperature in the coldest monthss is 18ºC and 23ºC to 30ºC in the hottest months. Most of the rain falls between December and March.
*Population density: 17.81 inhab/km² (2005) *Urban population: 4,041 (2000) *Rural population: 1,987 (2000) *Population growth: a loss of about 3,300 people since 1980
The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, cattle raising, services, public administration, and small transformation industries. In 2002 the GDP was 20.4 million Reais (agriculture: 8.4 million Reais; industry: 2.4 million Reais; and services: 9.4 million Reais) *Industrial units: 26 (2005) *Commercial units: 37 (2005) *Dairy: none (22/05/2006) *Meat-packing plant: none (22/05/2006) *Financial institutions: Banco Itaú S.A. (01/06/2005) *Automobiles: 302 (2004) *Cattle herd: 40,000 head (6,800 milk cows) (2004) *Poultry: 25,000 head (2004) *Swine: 2,820 head (2004) *Main crops: pineapple, rice (150 hectares), bananas, beans, manioc (300 hectares), corn (700 hectares), tomatoes, and soybeans
The site of the town was first inhabited by Europeans in 1740 by gold diggers looking for gold in the rivers. In 1911 the town was part of Jaraguá becoming a separate municipality in 1953.
In tourism the region attracts visitors to the river like Rio Padre Souza, which is eight kilometers from the city and is sought after by fishermen. Rio das Almas crosses Jaraguá and is used for swimming and fishing. Rio das Pedras is about 15 kilometers from the city and many people camp on its banks. The most beautiful site in the region is Cachoeira da Usina, which is 4 kilometers from the city on a ranch called Fazenda Gilberto de Castro. The waterfall is five meters high and there is a beach nearby.
