Florianópolis is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is an island city with a population of 450,000.
| Florianópolis | |
|---|---|
| State | Santa Catarina |
| Area: | 437 km² |
| Population: | 369 102 (Estimate: 07/2003) |
| Height: | 3 m above sea level |
| Postcode (CEP): | 88000-000 |
| Geographic ___location: | 27° 35' South 48º 35' West |
| Address of the local government: | Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 656 Centro Florianópolis |
| Website: | www.pmf.sc.gov.br |
| Contact: | |
| Map | |
| |
It is surrounded by smaller islands with forts which protected ships in the 17th century. Most of the population lives in its northern half. The southern half is more isolated and less developed. Though originally settled by Portuguese (from the Islands of Açores), like the rest of Brazil, the city has a heavy German and Italian influence. Florianópolis is a popular destination for South American tourists, because of its ___location and white sand beaches.
History
Beaches
There are about 42 well know beaches at Florianópolis island, but more than 100 in all. The most know beaches are:
- Joaquina - Nice dunes, very good waves.
- Mole - Most beatifull women, surfers
- Moçambique - Huge extension, surfers, camping
- Armação - for surfers, fishermans, unpopulated
- Ingleses - Family beach
- Santinho - With a known resort