| The Beautiful Florianopolis |
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| Written by Kevin Gaskell | ||||
| Tuesday, 01 July 2008 19:11 | ||||
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Florianopolis (also known by its nickname Floripa) is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the island of Santa Catarina, one continental part, and the surrounding small islands. It has a population of 406,564 (2006/IBGE). Its metropolitan area has a population of over 821,423 inhabitants. Florianopolis experiences a humid, subtropical climate. The seasons of the year are distinct, with a well-defined summer and winter. Due to its proximity to the sea, the relative humidity of the atmosphere is 80% on average. There is significant precipitation throughout the year, with the driest months from June through August. The hottest months range in temperatures from 79-88 degrees Fahrenheit. Florianopolis has an economy consolidated in the activities of the commerce, installment of public service, and the industry of transformation and tourism, with the clothing industry, data processing, and civil construction gaining strength. Tourism is particularly important and popular due to its location, the beautiful scenery and white sand beaches, and the historical significance of the Azorean culture. Portuguese is the official language of schools, but English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum. Football (soccer), tennis, and surfing are favorite sporting pastimes.
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