Situated in the southern part of Brazil, Santa Catarina is a state known for its beautiful beaches, its island of the same name and for its high levels of economic well-being as compared to the rest of the country. Inhabited mainly by people from Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy and Austria in the past, this place still bears their traces on its culture and architecture. The state’s landscape is dotted with several places, catering to rural tourism, ecological tourism, adventure sports, historic monuments and sightseeing and religious tourism.
There is a diverse topography ranging from a shoreline touching the Atlantic to highlands reaching up to an altitude of 1,827 m. Santa Catarina is home to migratory penguins during the winters, whereas its capital Florianópolis, attracts many beach lovers during the summers. The state also has some small towns worth exploring. In a nutshell, Santa Catarina is a place for every kind of vacationer to break away from the routine life.