Florianopolis Brazil

"Florianopolis was founded in 1726 by immigrants from the Azores, along with German and Italian settlers. With a population of around 370,000 it is the capital of the State of Santa Catarina and a port of call for coastal shipping. Located on Santa Catarina Island, which is joined to the mainland by three bridges, the late-19th century pastel-colored, stuccoed buildings still recall faint “old world” images, while the relaxed small-town atmosphere provides a total contrast to the excitement of cities like São Paulo and Rio.

Florianopolis was named after Floriano Peixoto, former Brazilian President who defeated a federalist insurrection in the city in 1849. Among the city’s historic buildings are three fortresses, the Jesuit Monastery and the 200-year-old Palacio Cruz e Souza, which houses the Historic Museum of Santa Catarina. The metropolitan cathedral stands at the highest point and overlooks the main square. The church features a life-size sculpture in wood of the flight into Egypt, originally from the Austrian Tyrol. Other attractions in the city include the Municipal Market and former Customs House, now converted to contain good craft stalls, art galleries and handicraft shops.

The natural beauty of the island, its beaches and bays make Florianopolis a popular tourist center. Most visitors head straight for the island’s 42 beaches, with the best ones found on the north and west coasts along with fashionable resorts and some of the best hotel facilities in the country.

Florianopolis Brazil News

Namibia: Swakop on Hunt for More Twin Towns (AllAfrica.com)
The Municipality of Swakopmund has in recent years entered into twinning agreements with a number of towns and cities around the globe for exchange in expertise on technology, culture and tourism amongst others.

Brazilian Vacation Dreams Come True for Missoula, Montana-Based Photographer (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Last year, the famously exotic, culture-rich country of Brazil welcomed over 5 million visitors to its homeland. Some came for the sun and the beach. Others came to indulge in Brazil's ecotourism or its numerous adventure-based sports.

Hundreds of oiled penguins die off Brazil (MSNBC)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - More than 200 oil-slicked penguins have washed up dead on the beaches of a popular Brazilian resort, and officials say they are searching for the source of the oil.

Oil slick kills more than 200 penguins in Brazil (INO News)
(AP:RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil) More than 200 oil-slicked penguins have washed up dead on the beaches of a popular Brazilian resort, and officials say they are searching for a cause.

Gerdau, Tam, Telemar, Votorantim: Brazilian Equity Movers (Bloomberg.com)
Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies are having unusual price changes in Brazil trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 11:36 a.m. New York time. Preferred shares are usually the most-traded class of stock.

Oil spill kills 2,000 penguins in southern Brazil 29 Aug 2008, 1324 hrs IST,IANS (The Times of India)
RIO DE JANEIRO: Some 2,000 penguins have been found dead since Sunday in the southern Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, victims of an oil spill from an unidentified ship, Brazilian media have reported citing the authorities.

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