| Florianópolis
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| State | Santa Catarina
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| Area: | 437 km²
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| Population: | 369 102 (Estimate: 07/2003)
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| Height: | 3 m above sea level
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| Postcode (CEP): | 88000-000
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| Geographic location: | 27° 35' South
48º 35' West
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| Address of the local government: | Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis
Rua Conselheiro Mafra, 656
Centro
Florianópolis
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| Website: | www.pmf.sc.gov.br
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| Contact: | e-mail
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| Map
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|
 Florianopolis Main Church |
Florianópolis (also known as Floripa) is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is an island city with a population of 369.102 (2003/IBGE).
It is surrounded by smaller islands with forts which protected ships in the 17th century. Most of the population lives in its northern half. The southern half is more isolated and less developed. Though originally settled by Portuguese (from the Islands of Açores), like the rest of Brazil, the city has a strong German and Italian influence. Florianópolis is a popular destination for South American tourists, because of its location and white sand beaches.
Universities
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Catarina , the State University of Santa Catarina
Its main page is (http://www.udesc.br) (In Portuguese)
Beaches
There are about 42 well known beaches at Florianópolis island, but more than 100 in all.
The most well-known beaches are:
- Jurerê - Most developed and organized; biggest houses.
- Joaquina - Nice dunes, very good waves.
- Mole - Mostly surfers. Known for its soft (mole) sand.
- Moçambique - Huge extension, surfers, camping.
- Armação - For surfers, fishermen, unpopulated.
- Ingleses - Family beach.
- Santinho - With a known resort.
- Canasvieiras - People from Argentina love it.
