Santa Catarina is in the south of Brazil, and measures a fraction over 95 346 square kilometres or 36 813 square miles. Its population exceeds 6 million people, and its capital city is Florianópolis, the destination of many of the foreign tourists that visit Brazil. This city is situated on an island and was listed as one of the “Ten Most Dynamic Cities in the World” in 2006 by Newsweek. Santa Catarina is the smallest southern Brazilian state.

The European influx began, bringing Germans, Italians and Poles, followed by the Japanese and many others from different lands around the world. As each of these groups entered Santa Catarina, they would set up small farms, which were occupied and managed by families. The heritage of the many different nationalities that flooded this state centuries ago is still evident in its architecture and certain elements of its culture. Geographically, the state of Santa Catarina is divided into a narrow coastal plain on the east and a large plateau on the west. It is divided by the Serra Geral, a part of the Serra do Mar, which stretches from the north to the south. Its coastline is made up of a number of features, including bays, lagoons and gorgeous beaches. These beaches remain some of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. The entire area is hot and humid, and is home to the exquisite Araucaria moist forests, nestled within the very heart of Santa Catarina.

Blumenau – home to the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, attracting well over 1 million people every year. Other attractions include:

• The picturesque beaches for which the state is acclaimed
• The thermal mineral resorts
• The snow on the Catarinense Mountain Range
• The “Joinville Dance Festival” and the “Festival of Flowers” in November
• Goat Island (Ilha das Cabras)
• Parque Balneário – for intriguing archaeological ruins as well as fascinating animals
• The Itajaí Valley
• Parque Nacional de São Joaquim
• Treze Tílias – a marketplace

At least in sunny Santa Catarina, which boasts 560km of spectacular coastline. If you like your beach deserted, there is a spot of sand for you in the south of Ilha de Santa Catarina. If you prefer a party scene, head further north on that same island. If you’re all about big surf, it’s up in Guarda do Embaú and Praia do Rosa, two absolutely stunning surf villages south of Florianópolis. Sun and sand aside, the inland regions are also where Santa Catarina exhibits the profound influence of its German ancestry, most evident during Oktoberfest, Blumenau’s huge festival for folk dancing, accordion playing and beer drinking (mostly beer drinking). But the Alpine architecture and fresh-brewed beer are here to enjoy year-round. Like the other southern states, Santa Catarina enjoys some of Brazil’s highest standards of living, with sound infrastructure and a blonde-haired, blue-eyed population that often feels more European than Latin.