'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 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. Florianópolis is served by
Hercílio Luz International Airport for both domestic and international flights.
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
Foundation day: 23/03/1726.
Vehicles: 190.517 (jun./2006).
Daily
Newspapers: 4 (jul./2007).
Economy
Florianópolis has its economy consolidated basically in the activities of the
commerce, installment of public service,
industry of transformation and
tourism. Lately, the industries of clothing and data processing are becoming also 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 e 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].
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.
Infrastructure
International Airport
Florianópolis Airport has become in recent summers one of Brazil’s main destinations for national and international tourists. With capacity of 1.2 million users a year, in 2003 it received 1.28 million passengers.
The current passenger terminal has become modest for a city growing as quickly as Florianópolis. For this reason, 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). This was the first time
Infraero has employed a public competition to choose an airport terminal design.
Normally the projects for expansion and modernization of the 66 airports administered by
Infraero are done by public tender based on the needs, criteria and conditions presented by the company’s engineering area.
Among the over 150 original entries, the proposal of São Paulo architect Mário Bizelli was chosen. Begun in March 2004, the entries were first narrowed down to 71 designs actually presented, from which three finalists were shortlisted. The designs of Marcelo Consiglio Barbosa and Sérgio Parada were classified in second and third places respectively.
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.
Districts
There are 12 districts in Florianópolis:
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''").
★
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.
★
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).
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:
★
San Diego, California,
United States
Gallery
External links
★
★
Floripa Expat Resources
★
Floripa Images Guide
★
Florianópolis information and events site
★
Flickr photos tagged Florianópolis
★
Detailed information about Florianopolis (German)
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