Florianópolis

From Freepedia

Florianópolis
State	Santa Catarina
Area:	437 km²
Population:	386 913 (Estimate: 07/2004)
Height:	3 m above sea level
Postcode (CEP):	88000-000
Geographic location:	27°35′ S 48°35′ W
Address of the local government:	Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 656 Centro Florianópolis
Website:	www.pmf.sc.gov.br
Contact:	e-mail
Map
Image:Florianopolis in Brazil.png
Image:Florianopolis-Main Church.jpg

Florianópolis (also known as Floripa) is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is an island city with a population of 386.913 (2004/IBGE).

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 Islands of Açores), like the rest of the state, the city has a strong German and Italian influence. Florianópolis is a popular destination for South American tourists, because of its location and white sand beaches.

Universities

• Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), the only federal university in the state of Santa Catarina. Its main page is (http://www.ufsc.br) (In Portuguese)

• Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), the State University of Santa Catarina. Its main page is (http://www.udesc.br) (In Portuguese)

Beaches

There are about 42 well known beaches on Santa Catarina island, but more than 100 in all. The most well-known beaches are:

• Jurerê - Very developed and organized; biggest houses.
• Joaquina - Nice dunes, very good waves.
• Mole - Mostly surfers. Known for its soft (mole) sand.
• Moçambique - Huge extension, surfers, camping.
• Armação - For surfers, fishermen; otherwise unpopulated.
• Ingleses - Family beach.
• Santinho - Has a known resort.
• Canasvieiras - Popular with Argentinians.