Joinville - Santa Catarina - Brazil

History and Present Day

Joinville was founded on March 9, 1851, with the arrival of the first settlers from Germany, Switzerland and Norway, on board of the vessel Colon. The new land was called Dona Francisca Colony in honor of Princess Dona Francisca Carolina, the daughter of the Emperor Pedro I who was the heiress of a 25 square league area. (Joinville) .This land was given as a gift when Prince François Ferdinard Phillipe Louis Marie, of Joinville (the French city) got married to the Princess Francisca. The first settlers arrived in Brazil two years later and here joined the Portuguese and Native Indians that already resided in the area. In 1852 the colony was named Joinville.
As a result of the work ethics of the first settlers, Joinville now has one of the most diversified and developed economies in the South of the country. Besides being the home for leading industries within their sectors, it also has a strong service and tourism sector.
Known as the City of Flowers, Bicycles, Princes and Dance, Joinville is 40km away from the historical city of São Francisco do Sul, and is close to the beautiful beaches of the Santa Catarina shore, amid the exuberance of the Atlantic Forest. All these factors make it a mandatory stopover for tourists.

Economic Potential

Joinville is the most populous and industrialized municipality in Santa Catarina, a state that in 2004 alone has exported US$4,8 billion - 5.3% of the total brazilian exports and has over 1.900 industries, employing 58 thousand workers.
The Joinville industry, which accounted for over 20% of Santa Catarina´s exports in 2004, with gross sales of over US$ 14,8 billion, has been conquering every year, new exports markets. Both, overseas and internally the county has a significant share of the market for manufactured goods such as refrigerators, PVC pipes and fittings, bathroom fixtures. The commerce and service sector also shows one of the largest growth rates.

For more information about Joinville visit the website below:

http://www.joinville.sc.gov.br and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joinville and

http://www.joinville.com

Culture

Joinville breathes culture. There are a large number of cultural events throughout the year, from festivals, shows, music and theatre to important sports events.
One of the main events is the Dance Festival, which takes place in July. The 2005 Guinness World Records considers this the largest of its kind. The festival attracts more than four thousand participants and a public of 50 thousand people.
Dancing once more gained the limelight when, in March 2000, Joinville became the first town outside Russia to headquarter a school of the famous Bolshoi Ballet. Presently the school has 250 students, 94% of which come from humble homes and receive scholarships covering their studies, food costumes, medical assistance, and much more.

For more information about the Dance Festival, visit the following website: http://www.festivaldedanca.com.br/site/other/historico.asp?cult=ing