| Florianópolis
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| State | Santa Catarina
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| Area: | 437 km²
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| Population: | 369 102 (Estimate: 07/2003)
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| Height: | 3 m above sea level
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| Postcode (CEP): | 88000-000
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| Geographic location: | 27° 35' South
48º 35' West
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| Address of the local government: | Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis
Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 656
Centro
Florianópolis
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| Website: | www.pmf.sc.gov.br
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| Contact: | e-mail (http://www.pmf.sc.gov.br/anexos/contato.htm)
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| Map
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 Florianopolis Main Church |
Florianópolis is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is an island city with a population of 369.102 (2003/IBGE).
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
Populated by the "manezinhos", people that came from the azorian islands. They are known by their small stature, speedy talking and naivité. Furthermore, they claim a fake humility but, in reality, they think they are the smarter people in the world (provide the world doesn´t go further from their homes). They are too very suspicious and, sometimes, even xenophobic and some think and express it by saying that the strangers came to destroy their beautifull and provician island, especially the "gauchos" that come from Rio Grande do Sul State, south from Florianopolis. Florianopolis is a small town which is starting to say goodbye to their nostalgic and old-fashioned provincianism. But, as things do not die all at the same time, we continue to see some "manezinhos" moaning because of the people from outside.
Beaches
There are about 42 well known beaches at Florianópolis island, but more than 100 in all.
The most well-known beaches are:
- Jurerê - Most developed and organizated; biggest houses.
- Joaquina - Nice dunes, very good waves.
- Mole - Most surfers.
- Moçambique - Huge extension, surfers, camping.
- Armação - For surfers, fishermen, unpopulated.
- Ingleses - Family beach.
- Santinho - With a known resort.
- Canasvieiras - People from Argentina love it.
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