Florianópolis
Florianópolis | |
|---|---|
| View of Beira-Mar Norte View of Beira-Mar Norte | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Floripa | |
 Location in Brazil | |
| Country |  Brazil |
| Region | South |
| State | Santa Catarina |
| Founded | March 23, 1726 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dario Elias Berger (PMDB) |
| Area | |
• City | 436.5 km2 (168.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
• City | 406,564 |
| • Density | 938.9/km2 (2,412.8/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 358,180 |
| • Metro | 821,423 |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) |
| Website | Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis |
| HDI (2006) 0.875 – high | |
Florianópolis (also known by its nickname Floripa) is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina, one continental part and the surrounding small islands. It has a population of 406,564 (2006/IBGE). Its metropolitan area has a population of over 821,423 inhabitants.
Florianópolis is one of the three Brazilian states capitals on an island (the others are São Luís and Vitória). It is surrounded by smaller islands with forts, which protected ships in the 17th century. Most of the population lives on the island's northern half. The southern half is more isolated and less developed. Although originally settled by the Portuguese (from the Archipelago of Azores), the city has a strong German and Italian influence, like the rest of the state. Florianópolis is a popular destination for South American tourists, because of its location and white sand beaches.
Geography
Climate
Florianópolis experiences a humid subtropical climate. The seasons of the year are distinct, with a well-defined summer and winter, and characteristic weather for fall and spring. Frost is infrequent, but occurs occasionally in the winter. Due to the proximity of the sea, the relative humidity of the atmosphere is 80% on average. There is significant precipitation which is well distributed throughout the year. The annual normal precipitation for the period of 1911-1984 was 1521 mm. There is no dry season, and summer generally is the rainiest season (Hermann et alii, 1986). Increased rainfall occurs from January to March, with a median of 160 mm per month, and from April to December there is somewhat less precipitation, averaging 100 mm per month. The dryest months are from June to August. On average of the maximum temperatures of the hottest month varies from 26°C to 31°C and on average of the minimum temperatures are from 7.5°C to 12°C. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -2°C, in 1975.
Curiosities
Vehicles: 190.517 (jun./2006); Daily Newspapers: 2 (jul./2006); Foundation day: 23/03/1726.
Economy
Florianópolis has its economy consolidated basically in the activities of the commerce, installment of public service, industry of transformation and tourism. Lately, the clothing industry and Internet Technology are also becoming sectors of exceptional development. Civil construction is also another important economic activity of the city, with highlight for the beaches of the north region of the island (Jurerê, Jurerê Internacional, Canasvieiras and Ingleses).
Tourism
Tourism is one of the staples of Florianópolis' economy; it is considered by many inhabitants and tourists that Floripa has a singular beauty endowed with strong lines of Azorean culture, observed in the buildings, workmanship, folklore, culinary and religious traditions. In addition to its frequented white sand beaches Florianópolis' offers many historical attractions, including the sites of the original Azorean colonists, the Lagoa da Conceição lagoon, and Saint Antonio of Lisbon. Tourism in Florianópolis has grown significantly over the past 10 years, with increasing numbers of visitors coming from other large cities in Brazil (particularly Porto Alegre, Curitiba, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) as well as other South American countries (particularly Argentina, with direct flights offered daily from Buenos Aires). During the past several years a greater number of international tourists have also began to frequent the island (particularly from Europe and the United States), and 2006 marked the opening of the city's first multinational hotel, a Sofitel [1], and first US-based specialty tour operator, Nexus Surf [2].
Demographics
According to the IBGE of 2006, there were 406.564 residing in the city. Florianópolis is mostly composed of Brazilians of European descent. Its colonization started in the mid-18th century, mostly with the arrival of Portuguese colonists from the Azores Islands. Florianópolis was composed mainly of Azoreans, Germans and Italians. Further south, some districts also preserve their countryside village identity, and the heritage left by their ancestors (who came from the Portuguese archipelago of Açores during the 18th century) is noticeable in their manner of speaking, in their handicraft activities, and typical feasts. On the other side, the city has taken on a cosmopolitan air with the arrival of Brazilians from other States and foreigners who chose to live there. The island, which in the beginning of the colonization period, was an important whale hunting centre, is today the technological pole of the IT industry. A State Capital of interest to tourism, Florianópolis is currently inhabited by about 400 thousand people, a number that triples every summer.
Education
Portuguese language is the official language of schools. But English language and Spanish language are part of the official high school curriculum.
Colleges and universities
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC);
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC);
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL);
- Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), and more others.
Attractions
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Built over 70 years ago, it continues to be the island’s favourite post card image.
Cruz e Sousa Palace
Also declared a heritage, it was formerly the Government’s Palace.
Santo Amaro da Imperatriz
First thermal water facility in Brazil. Hotels with thermal water bath facilities are located in the district of Caldas da Imperatriz and in the city of Águas Mornas.
Fonte Caldas da Imperatriz – City Baths
This is a source of thermal waters, which can reach the temperature of 39ºC, where there are immersion baths and hydromassage. It is located on the Estrada Geral Highway, km 4, Caldas da Imperatriz district.
Infrastructure
International Airport
Florianópolis is served by Hercílio Luz International Airport for both domestic and international flights. The traffic has grown significantly at the airport and therefore the city will shortly receive a new airport able to serve 2.7 million passengers a year. The architectural design of the new airport was chosen by a public competition held by Infraero in partnership with the Brazilian Architects Institute (IAB). Among the over 150 original entries, the proposal of São Paulo architect Mário Bizelli was chosen. The construction work will be tendered in 2005 and should be finished in two years.
Highways
Florianópolis is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-101 and BR-282 federal highways.
- Distances
- Brasília: 1,700 km;
- São Paulo: 700 km;
- Rio de Janeiro: 1,180 km;
- Porto Alegre: 460 km.
Neighborhoods
There are 12 neighborhoods in Florianópolis:
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Sports
Football
There are two professional football teams in the city. Both of them have 13 Santa Catarina State Championship titles, which is a state record. The derby between them is known as "O Clássico da Capital" ("The Capital's Classic").
- Figueirense FC - black and white. Its nickname is Figueira ("Figtree") and it is also known as O Furacão do Estreito ("The Estreito's Hurricane"). Its stadium is the Orlando Scarpelli, located in the Estreito neighborhood, in the continental part of the city. Figueirense is currently playing the Brazilian first division.
- Avaí FC - blue and white. It is also known as O Leão da Ilha ("The Lion of the Island"). Its stadium is the Aderbal Ramos da Silva, popularly known as Ressacada, located in the Carianos neighborhood, in the south part of the island. Avaí is currently playing the Brazilian national second division.
Tennis
Florianópolis is the hometown of tennis star Gustavo Kuerten.
Surf
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The island is generally considered to be blessed with the best and most consistent waves in Brazil, and in early November of each year hosts what is currently South America's only ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Championship Tour professional surfing competition. Brazil has played host to many an ASP tour event over the past 30 years. Former contest sites include Rio de Janeiro, Barra de Tijuca and Saquarema, but the past four years have seen the tour set up shop in Florianopolis. Falling towards the end of the tour, the past few years have seen several ASP world champions crowned in Brazil. In 2004 it was Andy Irons, and in 2005 it was Kelly Slater (who had his 2006 ASP World Title already stitched up by Brazil).
Famous Florianopolitanos
- Victor Meireles (painter);
- Luís Delfino (Poet);
- Cruz e Sousa (symbolist poet);
- Fernando Scherer, the "Xuxa" (athlete - swimming);
- Gustavo Kuerten, the "Guga" (athlete - tennis player);
Sister cities
Florianópolis is twinned with the following cities:
External links
- Floripa Images Guide
- Florianópolis information and events site
- Flickr photos tagged Florianópolis
- Detailed information about Florianopolis (German)
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