Itapema
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Itapema | |
 |
|
 |
|
  Itapema
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Brazil |
| Region | South |
| State |  Santa Catarina |
| Founded | April 21, 1962 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Sabino Bussanello (PT) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 59.022 km² (22.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 33,766 |
| - Density | 572.1/km² (1,481.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) |
| - Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) |
| HDI (2000) | 0.835 |
| Website: www.itapema.sc.gov.br | |
Itapema is a city in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is situated at latitude 27º05'25 " South and longitude 48º36'41 " West, being 2 meters above mean sea level. Its population in 2006 was estimated at 35,990 inhabitants. The city, along the state's north coast, has been the fastest growing city in Santa Catarina for the last the 5 years running; it has beaches for those who search for the tranquillity of laid back places. Itapema Meia Praia preserves beauty of small waterfalls and streams and maintains traditions of the Azorean colonizers that can be observed in the fishing villages. In the 1980s the construction of some buildings started, and today anyone who travels through Itapema may very well be impressed with architectural quality of the properties that have height-limited by law to guarantee sustainable growth of the city. As a consequence, the number of houses has decliend and the construction of building of apartments in Itapema and Meia Praia has increased. The beaches remain the biggest tourist attraction, but planned public constructions such as the Bridge of Sighs and the Square of Peace with its gigantic shell acoustical stage backdrop that hosts great shows, signal that the growth of Itapema is only starting.
[edit] Meia Praia: the most famous beach of Itapema
Meia Praia is the popular name of a quarter south of Itapema proper. The southern part of the city is more well known to tourists. Its extensive beach and beautiful sights attract thousands of tourists all summer long who crowd the area. It contains a comprehensive commercial infrastructure with banks, supermarkets, shopping centers, cinema, bars and restaurants, bookstores as well as churches. In the city of Itapema the name of the streets, differing from other cities in the area, are numbered. A main avenue in the called Nereu Ramos block. All the one-way streets that lead to beach (sea-side) are odd and all the streets that lead away from the beach are even numbers. In the Swallow quarter, or popularly known as Meia Praia (Middle Beach), the streets start with 200 and go until 340.
[edit] Expansion of the Civil Construction
500 thousand square meters of civil construction projects have been constructed in the city of Itapema from 2003 through 2005. The executive secretary of the civil construction union of Itapema, Landmark Aurélio Quioderoli, currently affirms investment in civil construction of around R$ 1 billion per year in businesses, in direct or indirect form, with new constructions, purchase and sales of new and pre-owned property. Union statisticians indicate a growth of 18% in the sector in relation to the previous year. The numbers are specifically based on enterprises directed toward the classrooms and the B(?). To give you an idea of the importance of the civil construction in Itapema and Meia Praia, commercial commerce transports 500 metric tons of steel and 22 thousand bags of cement per month. The sector is responsible currently employs 800 worker, and is estimated to exceed the support of two thousand indirect jobs.
The civil construction in Itapema is projected to be stable, although the oscillations in the economy always make that somewhat uncertain. Many Brazilians fear holding on to cash in an electoral year so real estate investments are a viable alternative to the money in the bank.
[edit] Property of High Standard in Meia Praia and Itapema
The secretary points that the construction companies have sought to produce top of line properties, which are in demand by those looking to the region for the acquisition of property. Builders are continuing to invest in fair and events technicians to modernize the area and make it more attractive. The building entrepreneurs affirm that one of the factors that have influenced in the preservation of the quality of life in the city is the accompaniment on the part of the public sector infrastructure works.
We have observed the spreading tourist construction in the city and the accomplishment of necessary works on the part of the city hall have followed the development of the construction, having offered better quality in sanitation and security. What makes Itapema and Meia Praia a success is the public and private sector partnership, with each one doing its part.
[edit] Tourism in Meia Praia and Itapema
Itapema is the third most popular tourist destination in the state of Santa Catarina and in recent years has become a lone laidback beach destination without the nightlife and parties that attract young people from throughout the region. Although Itapema does not host these attractions it is in itself a natural port city of great beauty for those seeking rest and relaxation. If you are looking for wild excitement, Itapema is most likely not the place for you. Most of the activity in the city occurs during the tourist or high season. There are many houses and apartments for rent and sale in the area.
[edit] The Geography of the city: sea, mountains and excellent access
The locale of Itapema and Meia Praia is privileged: right off the super highway (four-lane) BR-101, neighbor of the Camboriú Health-resort, the most active beach in the south of the country, a little more than a half hour drive fromFlorianópolis, the beautiful state capital, and the gateway to the cities of Porto Belo (Beautiful Port) and Bombinhas (Little bombs - from the sound of crashing waves). The tourist housed in Itapema can get to the main tourist attractions of Santa Catarina with short trips on comfortable roads. Itapema has not committed the error that many other cities have in that the construction code has been rigidly enforced, leaving just a few high buildings; this guarantees the full sun on the beach during most of the day. The city of Itapema still has some infrastructure difficulties, especially in public transportation but for one who to paradise, leaving your car in the garage to take advantage the natural beauty of the place is a small price to pay. In recent years many things have been improved for example the implementation of the collection and treatment sewer network and the beginning of the works in construction of the Linear Park (calçadão) with kiosks and bike paths. Kms of the rocky coast around Itapema provides a distinct between the sea and Atlantic landscape which forms a natural amphitheater surrounded by the sea. To see some sights, visiting scenic lookouts and seeing waterfalls in the forrest are a sure fire way to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. In dining, Itapema brings together some of the most highly rated seafood restaurants in southern Brazil, but in general tourists can find good meals at reasonable prices, which by the way, is characteristic of all this stretch of the catarinense coast. You still will be able to find plenty of churrascarias (Brazilian BBQ), pizza places, snack bars and fast-food that most certainly will appeal to the tastes of Brazilians and foreigners alike.
[edit] The Beaches of Itapema: the wonders of the Emerald Coast
Of all the beaches of Itapema, the longest and most famous is Meia Praia (Middle Beach), that counts on its excellent tourist infrastructure: bars, restaurants, nightclubs, commerce and services along the waterfront and the main avenue. You should set aside some time to also visit the Beach of the Cabeço, that has the best waves for the surfer; canto of the Beach, a fishing haven; the Beach of the Shipyard and the Beach of the Islet, still naturallly preserved, with open sea and strong waves. Also one should to the Beach of the Costão, considered one of prettiest of the city, and of course Beach of Itapema itself, the most frequented and with better services structure, where innumerable sporting events are carried out.
[edit] The Nature in Itapema makes the difference
Itapema bes situated in a bay surrounded for ramifications of the Mountain range of the Sea. Beyond beaches, it offers other attractive ones, as ecological, tracks among the native vegetation, rising adventures of rivers and cascades… Of the Mount of the Sentry box they have a gorgeous sight of the city. It also has the Costão de Itapema, one of the points prettiest of the city of where if the maritime edge can observe all. It also possesss a great ecological area, the Hinterland of the Trombudo.
[edit] Azorean (Açoriana) culture in Itapema
In Itapema it has diverse constructions from the time of the Azorean settling, with ample parts of the city's original rock walls, rectangular or oval doors in massive wood and windows on the upper floors. The azorean culture is present also in the way of life of the inhabitants, as can be seen for example in the "fish-of-attack" by neighborhood teens, a way of subsistence for a great part of the population. The activity is concentrated mainly in the Fishing Colony Z-19, located in Canto of the Beach, where the tourists can observe the gill nets being pulled from the sea onto the beach by hand, loaded with fish.
[edit] Infrastructure
The hotel infrastructure of Itapema and Meia Praia is of excellent standard, with offers of 3,000 beds. Inns and camping sites are other lodging options. It has fairly intense commerce, with four prominent commercial centers, a great number of bars and restaurants, pizza places, churrascarias (Brazilian BBQ), self service and snack bars and some night spots.
Itapema is a city in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Itapema is mainly a beach destination. Is not as popular nor as big as Florianópolis but has decently preserved beaches.
[edit] External links
- Hoteles Itapema (English) (Spanish)
- Imobiliárias Shopping Imóveis Itapema Meia Praia
[edit] References
|
|||||||||||||||||
