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Florianópolis
Florianópolis is a metropolitan area in Brazil
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Florianópolis (nicknamed Floripa) is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina ( de Santa Catarina), a continental part and the surrounding small islands. It has a population of 406,564, according to a 2006 IBGE estimate. The metropolitan area has an estimated population of 821,552.
The economy of Florianópolis is heavily based on tourism. The city has 42 pristine beaches and is a center of surfing activity. VEJA magazine, a Brazilian publication, named Florianopolis "the best place to live in Brazil." As a result of this publicity, Florianopolis is growing as a second home destination for many Paulistas, Argentines, North Americans and Europeans. Most of the population lives on the island's northern half. The southern half is more isolated and less developed. Many small commercial fishermen populate the island. Although originally settled by the Portuguese (from the Azores), the city has a strong German and Italian influence, like the rest of the state. The Hercílio Luz International Airport serves the city. The city is home to the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Federal University of Santa Catarina). |
