Guarulhos, city, southeastern São Paulo estado (state), Brazil, on the Tietê River at 2,493 feet (760 metres) above sea level; it forms part of the greater São Paulo metropolitan area. Founded in 1560 and formerly called Nossa Senhora da Conceição dos Guarulhos, it was made the seat of a municipality in 1880. Most of its labour force is employed in industry, and manufactures include steel, motorcycles, cotton and silk textiles, foodstuffs, ceramics, and chinaware. The city, site of São Paulo’s international airport, lies on the main rail and road routes to Rio de Janeiro. Pop. (2010) 1,221,979.