Page 24 - POR320Summer2018

Santa Catarina (Erik C.)

Santa Catarina is in the southern region of
Brazil. It is a very small state but

considered to have the highest economic
well-being in relation to any other state in
Brazil. Santa Catarina attracts a large
amount of domestic and foreign tourists
during all seasons of the year. During the
summer months, the beaches are packed
with people looking to enjoy the sun. In the
winter, the mountain ridges boast a great
attraction for skiing with the low
temperatures and snow over its canyons.

The industrial sector is the largest
component of the GDP in Santa Catarina,
followed by the service sector and
agriculture. These strong industrial and
agricultural centers have made Santa
Catarina a state with one of the highest
standards of living. The capital city,
Florianópolis, has a diversified economy,

being an important pole for the technology
industry and a major touristic destination. It
has the nickname of the “Silicon Valley of
Brazil” due to its investment and innovation in technology. Commerce and services are also
very strong in the capital. Cities from Florianópolis metro area, like São José, Palhoça and
Biguaçu are important and diverse industrial poles, as well as strong commerce areas.In the
northeast of the state, electric-mechanical, textile and furniture industries are strong; in the
west, cattle and poultry breeding predominate, while in the south it is ceramics and shellfish.
Santa Catarina has some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil - Summer months make the
state one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Brazil and South America. Hundreds of

thousands of Argentines, Uruguayans and Paraguayans flock to the state's beaches from mid-
December to late February followed by Western European and American tourists.

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