City history
Founded on Christmas Day in 1599, Natal is a historic coastal city in Brazil that served as a vital strategic hub during World War II.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"City of Christmas"
The settlement was named to commemorate the date of its founding, which occurred on December 25, 1599.
Christmas
Derived from the Portuguese name for the city, established on Christmas Day.
Chapter two
Natal operates under Brasilia Time, which is synchronized with the national standard of UTC-3.
Brazil officially ceased the observance of daylight saving time, meaning Natal no longer shifts its clocks seasonally.
Chapter three
The city was officially founded as a Portuguese settlement on December 25, 1599.
Construction of the star-shaped fortress began to protect the area from foreign colonial powers.
Natal established its role as the administrative and political capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte.
The city became a critical airfield location for Allied forces during the Second World War.