Ilhabela, São Paulo

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Statistics
State:	São Paulo
Metropolitan Regions:	Caraguatatuba
Founded:	1532
Location:	23.845/23°46'28" S, 46.649/46°21'20" W
Area:	348 km²
Population:	23,084 (2004)
Population density:	66.33/km²
Elevation:	From 0 to 1378 meters
Postal code:	11630-xxx
Area/distance code:	(00))55-12
Website:	www.ilhabela.sp.gov.br

Coordinates: 23°46′28″S, 46°21′20″W

Ilhabela (Portuguese for Beautiful Island) is an archipelago situated 4 miles off the coast of São Paulo state, in Brazil. The island is 205 km (138 miles) from the city of São Paulo and 340 km (210 miles) from the city of Rio de Janeiro. The largest island, although commonly called Ilhabela, is officially named São Sebastião Island. It and the other islands; (Búzios and Vitoria) and the islets (Cabras, Castelhanos, Enchovas, Figueira, Lagoa and Serraria) make up the municipality of Ilhabela. The islands in total cover 348 km² (130 square miles). The population of São Sabastião in 2004 was 23,084. During the holiday months, up to one hundred thousand people may be on the island. To access the city on the island, one must take a boat or ferry, as there are no roads which reach it.

[edit] History

Before Portugal colonized Brazil in 1500, the Tupinambas Indians inhabited the island. They called it Ciribai, which means tranquil place. The island was named São Sebastião Island by Americo Vespuccio, on January 20th, 1502. During the 16th ceuntury, the Portuguese set up military points on the shore of São Sebastião Island. On September 3rd, 1805, the Governor of the Province of São Paulo, Antônio José da França e Horta, decreted the political-administrative independence of the county. The Island had already 3.000 inhabitants at that time. The new county was named Villa Bella da Princeza, paying homage to the princess of Beira. On November 30th, 1938, during the Getúlio Vargas' Estado Novo, an act altered the name of the county to Formosa. Six years later, on November 30th, 1944, another act ultimately changed the name to Ilhabela.