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Florianopolis Brazil
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In the far southern reaches of Brazil lies a beautiful seaside city that is often eclipsed by Rio's world-famous beaches or the huge, bustling economic powerhouse that is Sao Paulo. With a total metropolitan population of less than a million, Florianopolis is much smaller than either of them. It does, however, have some of Brazil's most beautiful beaches, and it is a favorite resort spot for many people.
Florianopolis is capital of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil's second most southerly state. It's a curious city; half of it is built upon the Island of Santa Catarina while the other half is located on the nearby peninsula. Surprisingly, the southern portion of the island is sparsely populated and largely undeveloped, making it a wonderful place to find an unspoiled, near-deserted beach. How long that will last, none can say, because Florianopolis is quickly becoming one of Brazil's most popular destinations for tourists seeking sun, fun and culture. The city is growing quickly, and it's in the midst of a real estate boom fueled by Brazilians who want to escape the chaotic pace of the country's big cities.
With 42 beaches, it's no surprise that the majority of Florianopolis's economy is based on tourism. There is actually very little heavy industry to be found here; aside from the ocean itself, the area's main draws are cuisine, crafts and culture. The resorts at the north end of Santa Catalina Island are the busiest - the beaches of Brava, Daniela and Ingleses are lined with hotels, shops and eateries. The beaches along the island's eastern coast are more popular among the younger set and offer some of the best surfing in Brazil. Beachgoers looking to get away from it all will want to head south - the further you go, the better. Many of the southern beaches can only be reached by hiking trail.
The climate in Florianopolis is quite agreeable most of the time. It's not in the true tropics, so there are distinct seasons here. Winter frost is rare but not unknown. Summer can be hot and, with such close proximity to the ocean, humid, but such ill effects of the water are vastly outweighed by the fresh, delicious seafood brought in by Florianopolis's many fishermen.
Florianopolis's Greek flavored name might seem a bit strange for a region rife with Romance languages. It's a tribute to Floriano Peixoto, who served as second President of the Republic of Brazil from 1891 to 1894. Of course, the city is much older than that, having been established by the Portuguese in the 1600s. Until 1893 it was known as Nossa Senhora do Desterro, which means "Our Lady of Banishment."
If certain citizen groups get their way, the city's name may very well change again in the near future. Floriano was certainly an important man if Brazil's history, but he also happened to be in charge during the young nation's Federalist Revolt, an uprising that had Desterro at its center. The city served as the Federalists' capital for a short while, and when Peixoto finally quelled the rebellion he executed many of the locals. For this, he is seen by some as a cruel dictator undeserving of an honorable memorial. |
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