João Pessoa, Paraíba

João Pessoa (), a port city in northeastern Brazil, is the state of Paraíba's capital and largest city, with an estimated population of 817,511 (as of 2020). It is located on the right bank of the Paraíba do Norte river.

The new "Estação Ciência, Cultura e Artes" (Science, Culture and Art Station), located at the most eastern point of the Americas (''Ponta das Seixas''), is an educational and cultural institution as well as a national landmark. The complex, inaugurated in 2008, was created by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and is one of his final projects.

The capital of Paraíba received the title of Creative City by UNESCO in 2017, appointing João Pessoa as "Brazilian city of handicrafts".

History

João Pessoa was founded on 5 August 1585, by Portuguese settlers. Called "Royal City of Our Lady of the Snows", in honor of the saint of the day it was founded, its first structures were on the banks of the Sanhauá River, a tributary of the Paraíba River, now known as Porto do Varadouro, in the neighborhood of the same name. In 1588, the city was renamed "Philipeia of Our Lady of the Snows", in honor of King Philip II, who at the time accumulated the thrones of Spain and Portugal.

In 1634, attracted by the sugar wealth of the then-capital of the Paraíba, the Dutch invaded and named it Fredrikstad (Frederick City), in honor of the prince of Orange, Frederick of Orange. After the decline of New Holland and with the departure of the Dutch, the city was again dominated by the Portuguese and acquired the name "Parahyba do Norte" in 1654.

The city was renamed João Pessoa in September 1930 in memory of the former governor of Paraíba, João Pessoa Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, who had been murdered on 26 July that year.

João Pessoa is the third oldest city in Brazil.

Geography

Environment

João Pessoa has of beachfront.

João Pessoa has many green areas distributed among its avenues, parks, and residential neighborhoods, supporting its claim as "the second greenest city in the world" with more than of forested land, second only to Paris. This claim is a matter of conjecture, however, originating from a publicity stunt carried out by the city's mayor during an Earth Summit.

Climate

João Pessoa has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen ''Am'') with very warm to hot temperatures all year long and strong rainfall in most of the months; however, October to December have rather low rainfall.

Demographics

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica, or IBGE) report of 2009, João Pessoa had a population of 801,718. Its racial makeup was 45.72% White, 38.72% Pardo (two or more races), 2.77% Black, and 0.25% Asian or Amerindian.

Religion

''Source: IBGE 2000. ''

Transportation

International airport

Joao Pessoa is served by Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport.

Rail system

The João Pessoa Urban Trains System is operated by diesel components on one railway line with a 30 km extension spanning four municipalities, João Pessoa, Cabedelo, Bayeux and Santa Rita, constituted by the Cabedelo stretch, with 10 stations in operation, carrying around 10,100 passengers a day. Composed of three locomotives and 17 passenger cars, the trains form two compositions that conduct 28 trips a day.

Economy

João Pessoa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was R$ 14,841,805 as of 2010.

The city's per capita income was R$ 19,284 as of 2010.

Sister cities

* Hartford, Connecticut, United States.

* Pompano Beach, Florida, United States.

Tourism

* Picãozinho: One of the city's most significant sights is the São Reef Formation, located about from Tambaú Beach on the coast of João Pessoa.
* Natural Pools of Seixas Beach: The Seixas Natural Pools, where hundreds of species of fish, seaweed, reptiles (sea turtles), mollusks, crustaceans and other marine organisms are found.

* Penha Beach: This traditional beach's name derives from the symbol of one of the great religious events in Brazil: the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha. For more than 250 years, thousands of faithful have been accompanying the Penha Procession through the streets of João Pessoa.
* Manaira Beach: Joao Pessoa's most economically developed neighborhood. Its sidewalks are commonly used for physical activities and are well frequented by tourists and locals.
* Beach Tambaú: The sands of Praia de Tambaú are one of the busiest in Joao Pessoa.

* Bessa Beach: At the extreme north of João Pessoa, with of white sand beach beside calm green waters, reefs and coconut trees, Bessa Beach is among the most sought after by tourists.

* Seixas Beach: This beach is situated on the easternmost end of the Americas. Nationally known as the land area closest to the African continent, Praia do Seixas.
* Convention Center Poet Ronaldo Cunha Lima: The convention center of João Pessoa has four main buildings, the Lookout Tower, the Congress and Convention Hall, and the Pedra do Reino Theater.
* Espaço Cultural José Lins do Rego: Built through a project developed by architect Sérgio Bernardes, it includes the Archidy Picado Gallery, Lutheria, Planetarium, José Lins do Rêgo Museum, Anthenor Navarro Music School, Arena Theater, Paulo Pontes Theater.

Museums

Source:
* '' Museu Sacro e de Arte Popular'', within the São Francisco church.
* ''Espaço Cultural José Lins do Rego''. A cultural centre including history and science museums.
* ''City Museum''. The former Casa da Pólvora, an old gunpowder store.
* ''Museu Fotográfico Walfredo Rodríguez''.
* ''Bica Natural History Museum''.
* ''Museum Foundation house of Jose Américo''.
* ''Hotel Globo Museum'': Formerly a luxury hotel in the city, it consists of two buildings of eclectic style, with its lines influenced by Neo-classical, Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Today it functions as a museum, where it houses the permanent exhibition of part of the Hotel's furniture in addition to a collection of popular art. It is frequently visited for its view of the Sanhauá River and the sunset seen from its garden.

Sports

Stadiums

* José Américo de Almeida Filho Stadium
* Stadium of Grace

Football

The city is home to Auto Esporte, CSP and Botafogo.

American football

João Pessoa Espectros: This football team is regarded as the best football team in the northeastern region of Brazil, having earned a national title, seven regional titles and three state titles.

Kayaking

Bessa Beach offers kayaking, popular among tourists, to reach four beautiful kilometers (2.5 mi) of coral and marine life in the blue sea of the "Caribessa".

Surfing

The Paraíba nurtures great surfers, with athletes winning in many nationally prominent contests in the sport.

Diving

The coastline of João Pessoa includes the ''Alvarenga'' shipwreck, an artificial reef for developing marine life.

* Alvarenga Shipwreck : The Alvarenga was a vessel used to transport supplies to ships. It wrecked about 9.6 km from the tip of ''Bessa's Beach'' and is submerged deep. It remains whole, in length by in beam. It is possible for divers to penetrate the small bow and stern compartments safely. On the prow the winch to hoist the anchor remains in view. It is also common to find large stingrays and shoals of fish, such as the top cock and the hook.

Notable people

* Leo Oliveira (born 1980), Brazilian football player

Notes

References

External links

*

Official Promotional video of João Pessoa , English

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joao Pessoa

1585 establishments in the Portuguese Empire
Populated places established in 1585
Municipalities in Paraíba