Geographic information

Area total area: 1,099.60 km2 (424.56 sq mi) urban area: 298.99 km2 (115.44 sq mi) (27.19%) metropolitan area (east): 45.04 km2 (17.39 sq mi) (4.09%) metropolitan area (north): 81.18 km2 (31.34 sq mi) (7.38%) rural: 673.39 km2 (260.00 sq mi) (61.23%) Borders Northern Border: Camanducaia, Sapucaí Mirim in Minas Gerais Southern Border: Jacareí, Jambeiro in São Paulo State Eastern Border: Monteiro Lobato, Caçapava in São Paulo State Western border: Igaratá, Joanópolis, Piracaia in São Paulo State Cityscape

The municipality is comprised by three districts: São José dos Campos — the city itself, (also the seat), Eugênio de Melo and São Francisco Xavier. The last one is known for its natural sites and ecotourism.

The district of São José dos Campos is also subdivided into 2 subdistricts (São José dos Campos and Santana do Paraíba).

However, for administrative purposes, the city is composed of 7 urban regions: Center, North, South, West, East, Southeast and São Francisco Xavier.

Climate

The climate is humid and subtropical, with the dry season in winter. The greatest precipitation occurs from November to March, contributing to 72% of the annual volume.

The annual average relative humidity is 76%. Tropical air masses predominate during 50% of the year and colder air masses predominate for the rest of the year

In the summer, the average maximum temperature is 29 °C (84 °F) and in the winter, the average minimum temperature is 10 °C (50 °F). The average annual temperature is 20 °C (68 °F).

Köppen climate classification: Cwa

Topography

Highlands predominate in the north region of the municipality, whose altitudes range from 660 to 975 m (2,170 to 3,199 ft). They are called Serra da Mantiqueira (Mantiqueira Range). There are also peaks and mountains that can reach up to 2,420.7 m (7,942 ft) (Pico dos Marins - Piquete - SP, Brazil) where the weather reaches −12 °C (10 °F).

In the urban area, there are rolling plateaus and hills.

In the south, the ridges of Serra do Mar form the boundary between the coastal plain and the inland plateau (planalto), which has an altitude of 400 to 500 m (1,300 to 1,600 ft).

Municipality: Elevations 550 to 2,082 m (1,800 to 6,831 ft) City: Elevations 550 to 690 m (1,800 to 2,260 ft), average of 660 m (2,170 ft) Hydrology

The municipality is located in the Hydrological Basin of the Paraíba do Sul River that crosses the city longitudinally and names the region as Paraíba Valley. The river has larger tributaries on the left bank than the right. However, on the right banks, the Jaguari River, Buquira River,and other tributaries are an important part of the city's drainage system. Some of these other creeks are the Comprido River, the Pararangaba River and the Lambari River.

For the water supply of the population and livestock, the Rio do Peixe, tributary of the Jaguari River, stands out. It drains the north portion of the municipality and its waters contribute significantly to the Jaguari Dam, which forms an important reservoir used by CESP for electricity generation.

Along with the mountainous topography, there are a great number of fluvial elements, such as waterfalls.

The quality of the water is excellent, and the artesian wells of the region possess average outflow of 30m³/hour.