Italian immigration in Franca, São Paulo (1872-1940)

A historical study examines Italian immigration to the municipality of Franca in the interior of São Paulo between 1872 and 1940. The research highlights how Italian immigrants, who were more numerous than Portuguese or Spanish migrants, significantly influenced the region's social, economic, and demographic development.

During the Great Migration at the turn of the 20th century, the Italian presence in Franca expanded across both rural and urban sectors. In rural areas, immigrants achieved success through agricultural land ownership, while in urban centers, they contributed to artisanal and industrial sectors, most notably within the footwear industry.