Florianópolis, Brazil

Florianópolis, Brazil
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:130_3091.JPG
Author: Felipe Micaroni Lalli


Florianópolis is the state capital of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. The city is located on Ilha de Santa Catarina, an island off the coast, with some parts of it on the Brazilian mainland as well as on some of the surrounding islands. Florianópolis covers 436.5 sq km (168.5 sq mi) and has a population of 421,000 (2011 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 980,000 people. It is UTC-3 and in summer UTC-2.

Downtown Florianópolis
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Avenida_Beira_Mar_%28Florian%C3%B3polis%29.jpg
Author: Rodrigo Soldon


Florianópolis is today a well developed city with the highest Human Development Index (HDI) in Brazil. Its economy is based on information technology, tourism and services. The city also has a number of good beaches and has become a surfing destination.

Florianópolis experiences a humid subtropical climate. It has four distinct seasons. The warmest month are January and February, when the average high temperature rises to 29°C. January is the wettest month, receiving 195 mm of precipitation. Coolest months are June to August, when the average low temperature drops to 14°C.

Praia Mole, Florianópolis
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florianopolis_praia_mole.JPG
Author: Lionel Baur


Florianópolis was named in honor of Marshall Floriano Peixoto, the second President of Brazil (1891-1894). Until the Portuguese arrived in the area, it was inhabited by Carijós Indians. Present-day Ilha de Santa Catarina was discovered in 1514, and was originally named Ilha dos Patos. It took its present name in 1526.

The history of Florianópolis goes back to 1673, when the settlement on Ilha de Santa Catarina was named Nossa Senhora do Desterro (Our Lady of the Exiled), or simply Desterro. From a village, Desterro became a town in 1726. An influx of immigrants from the Azores and Madeira helped to spur the growth of Desterro. In 1893, Desterro was renamed Florianópolis.

Florianópolis public market
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florianopolis_market_west_towers.jpg
Author: Fernando Dall'Acqua

Visiting Florianópolis

The Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN), named in honor of a former governor of Santa Catarina, is the main gateway to the city. It receives flights from major cities in Brazil as well as from Buenos Aires.

Sights & Attractions in Florianópolis and Ilha de Santa Catarina

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