Known nationally as the City of Steel
Known nationally as the City of Steel, Volta Redonda holds this title because it is home to the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), the first large steel mill in Brazil. Opened in 1946, CSN was a key player in the country's industrialization process, marking a new cycle in the Brazilian economy. Located on the banks of the Paraíba do Sul River, the city transformed from a small rural village into an important industrial hub in the Southeast.
The plant project was conceived during the Second World War, with support from the United States, and aimed to reduce external dependence on steel production. The installation of CSN attracted thousands of workers from various parts of Brazil, promoting rapid population growth and shaping the urban, economic and cultural profile of the city.
To this day, the company's presence directly influences daily life in Volta Redonda. Although the service and trade sector has gained strength in recent decades, the city's history remains linked to steel, heavy industry and workers' struggle, which have marked generations and shaped the local identity.
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