Formerly called Nossa Senhora do Desterro (Our Lady of Banishment), the name Florianópolis was derived from the name of Brazil’s second president, Floriano Peixoto. Nicknamed Floripa, it is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in Southern Brazil. Several bridges connect the city to the rest of the country, one of them, the Hercílio Luz Bridge, is a popular postcard image resembling San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. The city is divided into two, the main part and the continental side where most of the industries are located. The continental area consists of the districts of Estreito and Coqueiros. Across the bay lays the historical part of the city, the Beira Mar-Norte.
Colonial houses and cottage industries like fishing and lace-making envelop the city’s overall charm while modern-day indulgences such as fine-dining restaurants and street cafes add to its vibrancy. Fish and seafood caught from its surrounding waters sustain the local restaurants. They are mainly fishermen sharing the city with expatriates who have considered the place their second home. The city is a bourgeoning playground for outdoor sports such as surfing, diving, hang gliding, paragliding and mountain biking. Surfers can enjoy the world famous “Bunny Slope” called Barra da Lagoa, home to surfing world champion Jacqueline Silva and performing penguins during parades. Along the same coast rest the sandbars of beaches Joaquina and Ingleses, the preferred melting pot of skim board enthusiasts.
The ancient world is still very much part of Florianopolis. In Santinho, 5,000-year-old cave inscriptions can still be found, while Amarcao hosts Santa Catarina’s vast and much-studied archaeological sites. After a day of adventure tourists are enjoined to a soothing thermal hydro massage in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Brazil’s foremost hot water reservoir.
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