Sobral is a municipality in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Sobral is the fifth largest municipality of Ceará, after Fortaleza. Its economy is based on agriculture, services and some manufacturing industries. The city has two public universities: Universidade Federal do Ceará and Universidade Estadual do Vale do Acaraú. It also has private universities, such as, Unopar, and − a theological institute. The city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sobral. The city is known for being the place where the astronomical observation of a solar eclipse on May 29, 1919, by a team of British scientists led by Sir Frank Watson Dyson was offered as the first proof of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, which had been published in 1916. The town's ("Museum of the Eclipse") celebrates this event. There is a monument in Patrocínio Square marking the location of this solar eclipse. A planetarium was also inaugurated in 2015 next to this monument.

Government

Geography

Climate

The climate of Sobral is hot almost all year. The temperature in the municipality varies from 22 to 36 C.

Education

Universities

There are 105 schools in the city.

Public schools

Private schools

Media

Radio

The city has thirteen radio stations.

Television

The city has one television station, NordesTV.

Tourist attractions

Access

Four roads give access to the city: BR-222,, CE-441 and BR-220. The city is served by Cel. Virgílio Távora Airport.

Notable people