Around the World with the Griffin Post
São Paulo: The Heart of South America
by Declan Mitchell
São Paulo is a city in southern Brazil that is known for its financial success and melting pot culture. It is the largest city in Brazil, with a metropolitan area population of 23 million people. São Paulo has an area of about 7,943 square kilometers, which is slightly bigger than Delaware, but smaller than Puerto Rico. It sits on a plateau of the Brazilian Highlands, about 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. It was founded by Jesuit missionaries on January 25, 1554, which was the anniversary of the conversion of St. Paul, after whom the city is named. There are many things that São Paulo has to offer, especially after the 472 years it has had to develop itself.
São Paulo was originally founded in 1554 by the Portuguese Jesuit priests Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta when they founded a school there. By the end of the 16th century, it had a population of a few hundred people. In the 17th century, it was an expedition base for the Portuguese who searched for slaves, diamonds, gold, and silver. The economy was doing pretty well because of this, but because of Minas Gerais, the wealth went to the developed Rio de Janeiro. When coffee began to be Brazil’s main export in the 19th and 20th centuries, São Paulo boomed when it came to the economy. The population grew by 200% from 1886 to 1893, as it jumped from around 44,000 to 130,000. After the initial big boom, São Paulo kept going from 130,000 to 200,000 to 520,000 in 1920. It became a rival to Rio. It quickly overtook the rival city over the next 20 years, and eventually became the powerhouse it is today.
There are many parks in the city, with the main park being Parque Ibirepuera, which is renowned for its calming atmosphere amidst a bustling city. With many trails, paths, and recreational activities, it is a perfect place if you want to step away from the commotion and just have a day with nature. The Zoologico de São Paulo is the city zoo, with more than three thousand animals to enjoy. The goal is to try to make it seem all natural, which is hard to do. It is known as a place where you can just hang out and have some fun with the animals. It is the perfect place for animal lovers to visit. Speaking of animals, the Aquário de São Paulo has 300 marine species, with a few extra animals that you wouldn’t expect in an aquarium. It has creatures in all shapes and sizes, from tiny fish that can fit in your hand to things that are way bigger than a human being. Overall, the aquarium is a nice place if you have a little time and you like aquatic creatures, or kangaroos…? Yes, they have those for some reason, don’t ask, but it's cool.
Museums are also a decent thing in São Paulo. Such as the Museum of Contemporary Arts, holding thousands of works from famous artists like Picasso, Lygia Clark, Miró, Modigilani, and many more. It's one of the most famous in the city and is a nice place to stroll around. Another big museum is the Museum of Image and Sound, which boasts hundreds of thousands of works ranging from photos, videos, posters, testimonials, and cameras. Its goal is to preserve the works of images and soundwaves. It was created by many journalists dedicated to cinema and photography in 1970. There is also the Catavento Museum, which is a big scientific museum dedicated to teaching people of all ages about science. With 219 installations ranging from chemistry, math, the universe, and life. There is enough information here to keep you busy for a while. If you like science, this is your go-to.
São Paulo is a bustling city filled with culture, animals, and activities that everyone can enjoy. With a rich history and foundation, it’s always a beautiful place to go.
Works Cited
“A Stroll through the Museums of São Paulo - Google Arts & Culture.” Google Arts & Culture, Google Arts & Culture, 2017, artsandculture.google.com/story/a-stroll-through-the-museums-of-s%C3%A3o-paulo-folha-de-sp/ZwWBFxSt0gcEEg?hl=en. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Leite, Aureliano. “Sao Paulo | History, Population, & Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 July 1999, www.britannica.com/place/Sao-Paulo-Brazil/History#ref29217. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
“THE 10 BEST Parks & Nature Attractions in Sao Paulo (Updated 2024).” Tripadvisor, www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g303631-Activities-c57-Sao_Paulo_State_of_Sao_Paulo.html. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Ulaanbaatar, the Heart of Mongolia
by Declan Mitchell
Ulaanbaatar is the capital city of Mongolia. It houses a total of around 1.7 million people, which is nearly half of the total population of Mongolia. The city takes up a total of 1,816 square miles, making it around the same size as Houston or Los Angeles. The city was founded in 1639 as a movable nomadic town. It was moved 29 times and given 3 name changes in 300 years before settling on Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar in Mongolian means Red Hero. Many things have changed since Ulaanbaatar was founded nearly 400 years ago.
According to Ayan Travels, Ulaanbaatar was originally a movable monastery when the first Jivzundamba Khutugtu, G. Zanzibar was appointed a spiritual leader among Khalkh Mongols by nobles in the year 1639, marking this year to be the city’s 386th anniversary.
Originally, the city was named Urga, which lasted for about 65 years from 1639-1706. Then it was named Ihk Khuree, which the name was kept from 1706-1911. After that, it was renamed to Niisel Khuree, which was kept for 13 years between 1911-1924. Finally, it was renamed to Ulaanbaatar, which is what we know it as today.
There are many statues in Ulaanbaatar, with many of them being of former leaders and of traditional pieces. The most famous of which is a 40m (133 ft) statue of Genghis Khan situated on top of a mountain, and it shows that Genghis Khan was the most dominant leader in Mongolian history. Many other statues like the one in the Buddha Park, show just that, the Buddha, the divine being that is responsible for Buddhism, the most prominent religion in Mongolia and in other countries. Many other statues are for fallen leaders like the Sanjaasürengiin Zorig statue, dedicated to the man of the same name, who died from a suspected political attack, as he was only 36, with no known problems. One of the most interesting things in Mongolia is a statue for the Beatles of all things, it represented freedom, as during the Soviet Union days, the Soviets wanted Mongolia to be blocked from western culture, so Mongolian teenagers sang Beatles songs using smuggled records from Eastern Europe, Korea, and Japan. The statue has been vandalized, so it is partially covered with graffiti.
Many museums are in Ulaanbaatar as well, including but not limited to the National Museum of Mongolia, the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, the Chojin Lama Temple Museum, and the Central Dinosaur Museum, which all show and present different artifacts from their specialties
There are many random and interesting facts about Mongolia that many people wouldn't know at a glance. The first one is that Ulaanbaatar has changed its name four times and relocated 29 times, which is a lot for one city. Ulaanbaatar is also a city that is situated quite high up, as it is located 1,350 meters above sea level, or about 4,400 feet. The city is also known as the coldest capital city in the world with average temperatures of 0.2 degrees Celsius, or around 32.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
While Ulaanbaatar is a city not many talk about due to being overshadowed by other cities and countries, it is a bustling city with much to offer, and culture that cannot be replicated.
Works Cited
Capital of Mongolia, Ayan Travel, www.toursmongolia.com/mongolia_travel_news/ulaanbaatarcapital-of-mongoliawas-not-always-called-ulaanbaatar
Capital of Mongolia-Ulaanbaatar, Travel Buddies,
www.travelbuddies.info/capital-of-mongolia/
Monuments and Statues in Ulaanbaatar, TripAdvisor,
www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293956-Activities-c47-t26-Ulaanbaatar.html
Warsaw: The Tantalizing Capital by Declan Mitchell
Warsaw is the capital of Poland, and is located in the central-east part of the country in the Mazowieckie province, which it is also the capital of. While Warsaw isn’t known for being big, beautiful, or durable, it is known for being a phoenix, always being reborn after the depths of war. The city is over 800 years old. While the founding date is unknown, the first mention of Warsaw in documents was in the year 1313, but the settlement formerly known as Warszowa was settled around the year 1300, which turned into what we know as Warsaw. It is home to 1.86 million people and has a GDP of 91.32 billion Euros, or around $108 billion.
Warsaw lies on the Vistula (Wisła) River, which lies about 240 miles southeast of the city Gdańsk, which lies on the Baltic Sea. Warsaw also lies on the Warsaw Plain, which sits around 250-380 feet above sea level. The average temperature of Warsaw is quite mild as it has an average temperature in the 40s during the year, and it drops into the 20s in the winter months, and rises into the 60s in the summer. Snow falls for about two months of the year.
The city has an area of 172 square miles and is split into seven subdivisions, those being ÅšródmieÅ›cie, Å»oliborz, Wola, Ochota, Mokotów, Praga-PoÅ‚udnie, and Praga-PóÅ‚noc. Many Polish landmarks can be found in the city such as the National Shrine of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, St. John’s Cathedral, a monument remembering the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943, and a statue of Warsaw’s greatest composer, Frédéric Chopin.
The history of Warsaw is known as filled with destruction and rebirth. Starting in 1300, an old town called Jadzow was moved two miles north to Warszowa (Warsaw), and the village now had protection of a castle. In 1339, authority invested into a bailiff, and in 1376, there was a city council. At the end of the century, the growing settlement had a double line of ramparts.
Sometime in the 15th century, it became the capital of the duchy of Mazovia, in 1526, it became part of the Polish Kingdom, and in 1573, the elections of the king and the city’s first bridge was built over the Vistula River. In 1596 Sigismund III Vasa made the city his royal residence, and in 1611, it officially became the capital of Poland, after being moved from Kraków. It grew massively over the next 40 years as in 1655-1656, the Swedish invaded, which brought the country down for a while and in 1733, the War of the Polish Succession brought the country into economic decay and pestilence. After the war, Poland made many banks, and in 1764, King StanisÅ‚aw II August Poniatowski started his reign, which started a turning point for the better. He put Warsaw at the center of the Polish Enlightenment, he created the first Polish lay school in 1765, and in 1773, the Committee of Education was formed and took action immediately. Yet in 1791, there was the first partition of Poland, where a parliamentary constitution was formed in the city. There were then two more partitions, which set Warsaw in the region of Prussia. It wasn't for a long time, because in 1806, Napoleon invaded. He created the Duchy of Warsaw, which was reinstated as a capital again. Napoleon eventually fell later when conquering Russia. While still being under other countries, Warsaw and Poland wanted independence, and then started the Russo-Polish War, which the Poles had the advantage, which they then lost and was under 30 years of military rule. It was then kept up under the rule of the Russian Empire in the late 1860s. Nothing of true importance happened until after 1918, when Poland and Warsaw were liberated and gained independence, and Warsaw became the capital again. On September 1, 1939, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, to start WW2. Sadly, more than 10,000 people died and more than 50,000 got injured. This was before there was a lack of supplies and Poland surrendered. Under Nazi rule, many concentration camps were formed, and the Jewish population got heavily destroyed during the Holocaust. The Nazis destroyed everything about Jewish culture during the war, including the Great Synagogue, which has thankfully been restored. In 1944, the Poles made a futile resistance attempt and the Nazis immediately shut it down, killing more than 150,000 in total. During the war, about 600,000-800,000 Poles died in the war. Warsaw became the capital once again, and in 1989, the communist regime finally collapsed, leaving Warsaw to be what it is now.
In conclusion, Warsaw is a tremendous city that has survived time and time again after the brinks of collapse and ruin, stating it as one of the most resilient capitals in Europe.
The Wonders of Amsterdam
by Declan Mitchell
The city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands is one of the most floral cities in Europe. It is one of the biggest producers of flowers in the world and is one of the most well-known parts of the city, especially for tulips. As the capital of the Netherlands, it's known for many things, as well as being a port on the west coast and being connected to the IJsselmeer (a lake in northern Holland) and the North Sea. It is the city with the most money and one of the oldest cities in the country, as it declared rights in the year 1275, so it is officially 750 years old currently. It's known for a bustling metropolis, which is beset by environmental pollution. But with a population of 933,000 in a space of around 85 square miles, some pollution is bound to happen.
The history of Amsterdam is interesting; it was originally created to stop a fishing village from flooding on the Amstel River, which is why it's named Amsterdam. In the beginning it was a fishing city that was used for trade and commerce throughout northern Europe, going as far as the Baltic Sea. It connected northern Europe with Flanders, which was what we know as Belgium and Northern France. The city was named unofficially back in 1275, but a full charter was introduced to name the city Amsterdam in 1306. The city’s economy was booming. In 1489, as a sign of gratitude to the Burgundian-Austrians, Maximilian I, the then current emperor, was allowed to adorn the city with the imperial crown. Amsterdam was finally getting on the radar. After Dutch rule passed to the Spanish in the 16th century, there was an eventual revolt against the Spanish led by William I, the Prince of Orange. Amsterdam was hesitant, but joined in. There was no bloodshed, but many priests of the Roman Catholic Church were deported, eventually creating the Dutch Reformed Church. The revolt had started, as the Spanish took Antwerp, which was one of the biggest ports in the Netherlands at the time. The Netherlands responded by blocking off access to the sea. Many refugees took shelter in Amsterdam, which enriched the culture. Eventually, Germans and Portuguese soon joined the migration to Amsterdam. The Netherlands made colonies around the world in this timeframe in the Dutch East Indies (now known as Indonesia), South Africa, and in South America. Soon, Amsterdam became the trading capital of the world. Various kings and queens would get lent money, setting an influx to the region. There was an economic decline in the 1600s, eventually leading to a rapid power decline, yet they still helped colonial America sneak tea and other goods past Britain. There were regents that ruled the city. They taxed basic needs heavily, and naturally, by 1748, there were revolts. The regents acted with violence and crime; they hung ringleaders after the houses of tax-gatherers were raided. The regents lost, and then around 60 years later, Napoleon invaded Amsterdam, and his brother Louis claimed it as his residence. Thankfully, when Napoleon fell, so did the French rule of Amsterdam. Then for another 60 years, everything was fine again. Then in 1870, an industrial revolution ensued. It eventually lasted until 1900. They had a big diamond industry, and they gained sea access and many economic improvements. In 1901, they released the Housing Act, which improved the lives of many by getting rid of unsafe living conditions inside of slums, making minimum building standards. They made the quality of life better everywhere by making neighborhoods with low rent and acceptable living conditions. Only 39 years later, on May 10, 1940, the Nazis attacked Amsterdam and the Netherlands, taking it quickly. Many awful things happened, like Jewish deportation. Yet after the war, the Netherlands made a comeback. They rebuilt it into the country it is today.
It is now known as one of the most popular cities in Europe, with a fascinating history.