Itamaracá

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Itamaracá is an island and a city in Pernambuco, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean. The name means 'singing stone' in Tupi. Itamaracá has a total area of 65.41 square kilometers and had an estimated population of 15,858 inhabitants in 2005 (IBGE). It is located in the metropolitan area of Recife, the capital city of Pernambuco state.

The main activities of the population are fishing and tourism.

The main tourist attractions are:

  • Beaches without big waves
  • Forte Orange, first built by the Dutch in 1631 and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1654
  • Vila Velha, seat of the former Itamaracá Hereditary Captaincy (Church of Our Lady of the Conception, colonial houses, magnificient views of the island )
  • Sao Joao and Amparo "engenhos" (historic sugar mill and plantation complexes)
  • Ibama's centre of sea mammals (Trichechus manatus)
  • Avião island
  • Currais (devices for fishing)
  • Folklore: famous for a musical style known as "ciranda," of which Lia de Itamaracá is the most well-known singer

Distances:

  • Recife, Pernambuco is 40 km to the south
  • Olinda, Pernambuco is 30 km to the south
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