Castanhal is a city near the eastern edge of the state of Pará, Northern Brazil.

coordinates: 1° 18′ S, 47° 55′ W Castanhal was officially founded on January, 28th of 1932 (date of certification) and received its name due to the common nut trees (portug: Castanha) around the train station of the Bragança - Belém railway.

[citation needed] The government of the state of Pará gave Castanhal the nickname "cidade modelo" (Model Town).

[citation needed] Castanhal has become a regional center for education in the state of Pará.

There are eight secondary schools and three universities: Due to its convenient geographic location, Castanhal has become an important trading spot for food and agricultural products (cereals, corn, maniok, pepper, palm oil), affecting the entire Northeastern part of the state and beyond.