São Paulo, Brazil

(http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofbrazil/a/saopaulo.htm)

Sao Paulo is the home city of Vik Muniz, and the largest city in Latin America. Many artists, writers, and musicians reside in this culturally diverse city. Much of its diversity originates from the many migrant workers that immigrated from both Europe and Asia. The city prospered economically on mining and coffee. Coffee was introduced in 1727 and became a center for coffee commerce in the 19th century.

A Brief History of Brazil's Independence

The Portuguese Royal Family moved to Brazil to flee from Napoleon Bonaparte's troops. After the fall of Napoleon, the family decided to move back to Portugal, leaving their eldest son, Pedro in charge of Brazil. However, this angered the Brazilians because this meant that they would go back to being a colony state, rather than an independent nation. Pedro willingly agreed with the Brazilians, and declared Brazil as an independent nation in Sao Paulo on September 7, 1822.

(http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofbrazil/a/saopaulo.htm)