Florianopolis
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. 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 has recently received the full attention of tourists for its well preserved fishing villages characteristics. 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 and European tourists, because of its location amongst other South American Countries and white sand beaches.
Florianópolis is one of the three Brazilian states capitals on an island. 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 has recently received the full attention of tourists for its well preserved fishing villages characteristics. 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 and European tourists, because of its location amongst other South American Countries and white sand beaches.
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 autumn and
spring. Due to the proximity of the sea, there is a
constant refreshing breeze all year around. There is
significant precipitation which is well distributed
throughout the year. The annual normal precipitation
for the period of 1911-1984 was 1521 mm. 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 9°C to 12°C.
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
Demographics
As
of the census of 2006, the population was 821,423.
Florianópolis Ethnic Groups
According to the 2007 census, the racial makeup of the city was:
- 90% White and Mixed.
Majority Portuguese, Italian and German descent.
Minority Slavic descent.
- 1% Black.
Florianópolis Demographics History
1. Amerindians, Brazil's indigenous population, came from human groups that migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait around 9000 BC.
2. Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.
3. Diverse groups of immigrants from Europe arriving in Florianópolis during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Florianópolis Ethnic Groups
According to the 2007 census, the racial makeup of the city was:
- 90% White and Mixed.
Majority Portuguese, Italian and German descent.
Minority Slavic descent.
- 1% Black.
Florianópolis Demographics History
1. Amerindians, Brazil's indigenous population, came from human groups that migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait around 9000 BC.
2. Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.
3. Diverse groups of immigrants from Europe arriving in Florianópolis during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Education
PORTUGUESE
is the official language of schools. But English 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 others.
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 others.
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 started in 2005 and finished in 2007.
HIGHWAYS
Florianópolis is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-101 and BR-282 federal highways.
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 started in 2005 and finished in 2007.
HIGHWAYS
Florianópolis is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-101 and BR-282 federal highways.
Neighbourhoods
There
are 12 Districts in Florianópolis:
Barra da Lagoa
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus
Campeche
Canasvieiras
Ingleses do Rio Vermelho
Lagoa da Conceição
Pântano do Sul
Ratones
Ribeirão da Ilha
Santo Antônio de Lisboa
São João do Rio Vermelho
Centro
Barra da Lagoa
Cachoeira do Bom Jesus
Campeche
Canasvieiras
Ingleses do Rio Vermelho
Lagoa da Conceição
Pântano do Sul
Ratones
Ribeirão da Ilha
Santo Antônio de Lisboa
São João do Rio Vermelho
Centro
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").
AVAI 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.
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.
TENNIS
Florianópolis is the hometown of tennis star Gustavo Kuerten.
SURF
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).
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").
AVAI 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.
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.
TENNIS
Florianópolis is the hometown of tennis star Gustavo Kuerten.
SURF
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).