Pernambuco
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| Flag of Pernambuco | ||
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| See other Brazilian States | ||
| Capital | Recife | |
| Largest City | Recife | |
| Area | 98,281 km² | |
| Population - Total - Density |
7,918,344 80.6 inh./km² |
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| Governor | Eduardo Campos(PSB) | |
| Demonym | Pernambucano/a | |
| HDI (2000) | 0.705 – medium | |
| Timezone | GMT-3 and GMT-2 | |
| ISO 3166-2 | BR-PE | |
Pernambuco (pron. IPA: [pɛx.nɐ̃.'bu.ku] [1]) is a state of Brazil, located in the Brazilian Northeast. To the north are the states of Paraíba and Ceará, to the west is Piauí, to the south are Alagoas and Bahia, and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean.
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[edit] Geography
Pernambuco comprises a comparatively narrow coastal zone, a high inland plateau, and an intermediate zone formed by the terraces and slopes between the two.
Its surface is much broken by the remains of the ancient plateau which has been worn down by erosion, leaving escarpments and ranges of flat-topped mountains, called chapadas, capped in places by horizontal layers of sandstone. Ranges of these chapadas form the boundary lines with three states–the Serra dos Irmaos and Serra Vermelha with Piauí, the Serra do Araripe with Ceará, and the Serra dos Cariris Velhos with Paraíba.
The coastal area is fertile, and was formerly covered by the humid Pernambuco coastal forests, the northern extension of the Atlantic Forests (Mata Atlântica) of eastern Brazil. It is now place to extensive sugar cane plantations. It has a hot, humid climate, relieved to some extent by the south-east trade winds.
The middle zone, called the agreste region, has a drier climate and lighter vegetation, including the semi-deciduous Pernambuco interior forests, where many trees lose their leaves in the dry season.
The inland region, called the sertão is high, stony, and dry, and frequently devastated by prolonged droughts (secas). The climate is characterized by hot days and cool nights. There are two clearly defined seasons, a rainy season from March to June, and a dry season for the remaining months. The interior of the state is covered mostly by the dry thorny scrub vegetation called caatinga. The Rio São Francisco is the main water source for this area.
The climate is more mild in the countryside of the state because of the Borborema Plateau ("Planalto da Borborema", popularly known as "Serra das Russas" or "Russians' Mountain"). Some towns are located more than 1000 meters above sea level, and the temperatures there can descend to 10°C and even 5°C in some cities (i.e., Triunfo) during the winter.
The island of Fernando de Noronha in the Atlantic Ocean, 535 km northeast of Recife, has been part of Pernambuco since 1988.
The rivers of the state include a number of small plateau streams flowing southward to the São Francisco River, and several large streams in the eastern part flowing eastward to the Atlantic. The former are the Moxotó, Ema, Pajeú, Terra Nova, Brigida, Boa Vista and Pontai, and are dry channels the greater part of the year.
The largest of the coastal rivers are the Goiana River, which is formed by the confluence of the Tracunhaem and Capibaribe-mirim, and drains a rich agricultural region in the north-east part of the state; the Capibaribe, which has its source in the Serra de Jacarara and flows eastward to the Atlantic at Recife with a course of nearly 300 miles; the Ipojuca, which rises in the Serra de Aldeia Velha and reaches the coast south of Recife; the Serinhaen; and the Uná. A large tributary of the Uná, the Rio Jacuhipe, forms part of the boundary line with Alagoas.
[edit] History
Originally inhabited by various indigenous peoples, Pernambuco was first settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Shortly after King João III of Portugal created the Hereditary Captaincies in 1534, Pernambuco was granted to Duarte Coelho, who arrived in Nova Lusitânia (or "New Lusitania", as the area was then known) in 1535. Duarte directed military actions against the French-allied Caetê Indians and upon their defeat in 1537 established a settlement at the site of a former Marin Indian village, henceforth known as Olinda, as well as another village at Igarassu.
Due to the cultivation of sugar and cotton, Pernambuco was one of the few prosperous captaincies (the other notable one being São Vincente). With the support of the Dutch East India Company, sugar mills (engenho) were built and a sugar-based economy developed. In 1612, Pernambuco produced 14,000 tons of sugar; in the 1640s, more than 24,000 tons of sugar were exported to Amsterdam alone. While the sugar industry relied at first on the labor of indigenous peoples, especially the Tupis and Tapuyas, high mortality and economic growth led to the importation of African slaves from the late 1600s. Some of these slaves escaped the sugar-producing coastal regions and formed independent inland communites called mocambos, including Palmares.
In 1630, Pernambuco, as well as many Portuguese possessions in Brazil, was occupied by the Dutch. The occupation was strongly resisted and the Dutch conquest was only partially successful. In the interim, thousands of the enslaved Africans had fled to Palmares, and soon the mocambos there had grown into two significant states. The Dutch, who allowed sugar production to remain in Portuguese hands, regarded suppression of Palmares important, but they were unsuccessful. Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, count of Nassau, was appointed as ruler of the Nieuw Holland (Dutch colonization enterprise in Brazil).
Nassau's government built Maritania or Mauristaad (Recife) on delta islands, which have similarities to Holland's topography. This moved the political focus from Olinda to Recife. Nassau's Dutch administration was noted for advancements in urbanism, culture, and science. The Dutch legacy is still recognizable in Pernambuco's people, accent and architecture.
Portugal reconquered Recife in 1654 and Olinda regained its status of political center. However, Recife remained the commercial /port city. If the Dutch were gone, however, the threat of the now unified quilombo of Palmares remained. In spite of a treaty negotiated in 1678 with its ruler Ganga Zumba, a war between the two remained. Zumbi who became ruler following the peace treaty and later repudiated it, fought the Portuguese government until 1694 when soldiers brought from the south eventually defeated him.
In 1710 the Mascate War took place in Pernambuco. This conflict set the mascates (traveling salesman) from Recife against the establishment hosted in Olinda and led by the Senhores de Engenho (owners of the sugar mills, literally: sugar mill lords).
Pernambuco was the site of the most important rebellions and insurrections in Brazilian history, especially in the 19th century.
1817 was the year of the Pernambucan Revolution, a republican separatist movement which resulted in the creation of the Republic of Pernambuco. The main cause of the revolution was dissatisfaction with the colonial administration. The republic was declared on March 7, 1817. After military intervention, the secession ended on May 20, 1817. The current flag of Pernambuco is actually the flag of that Republic.
As a reaction to the Emperor Dom Pedro I dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the Confederation of the Equator was set up on July 2, 1824. The Confederation was another separatist movement which encompassed the provinces of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará. On November 29, 1824, the Confederated forces capitulated to the Imperial army.
Pernambuco was the site of the brief liberal republican Praieira revolt in 1848, which was Brazil's response to the European year of failed liberal revolutions. The military officer who put it down was Deodoro da Fonseca, later briefly the first president of the Brazilian republic.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census of 2005, the population was 8.413.593 hab. The population density was 80,65 hab./km². According to the 2005 census, the racial makeup of the state was 96% White and Mixed; 4% Black or Afro-Brazilian. People of Portuguese descent form the largest ethnic group in the state.
[edit] Education
[edit] Colleges and universities
Pernambuco has a Universidade Federal de Pernambuco(UFPE), Universidade Católica de Pernambuco(Unicap), Universidade de Pernambuco(UPE), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco(UFRPE), Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Pernambuco(Cefet-PE), Faculdade de Tecnologia de Pernambuco(Fatec-PE), and others.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals
SAINT JOHN´S DAY This is the time for traditional celebrations in the Catholic calendar. The days observed are: June 13, Santo Antônio; June 24, São João; and June 29, São Pedro and São Paulo.The origin of these festivities traces back to the Pre-Christian times.
WINTER FESTIVAL Every year in June, when the weather is milder, a number of festivities take place in several cities of Pernambuco like Garanhuns, Gravatá, Triunfo e Taquaritinga do Norte. Both national and international attractions parade in those cities.
CARNIVAL IN PERNAMBUCO Pernambuco offers its visitors the most beautiful and varied street carnival in Brazil. Recife, Olinda and a few other cities are completely transformed during carnival. The word of order is thorough relaxation and spontaneity. It is here that Carnival takes the most diversified forms of cultural manifestations in the country. “Maracatus”, “caboclinhos”, “la ursas”, “troças”, “blocos”, carnival clubs, samba schools, among other famous features of our Carnival. It is worth enjoying the carnival atmosphere here, which begins in January and doesn’t seem to have a time or date to end.
[edit] Infrastructure
[edit] International airport
Guararapes International Airport. The new Recife/Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport has been open since July 2004 and has 52 thousand square meters of area. The largest airport in the North and Northeast regions, Guararapes had its capacity expanded from 1.5 million to 5 million passengers a year. Now there are 64 check-in counters, versus the former terminal’s 24. The shopping and leisure area was also totally remodeled, within the “Aeroshopping” concept, which transforms an airport into a center for business, comfort and high-quality products and services. The commercial spaces will be occupied in steps and the final total will be 142 shops. Since 2000, Recife has had the longest runway in the Northeast, at 3,305 meters. Its extension permits operations with jumbo jets, such as the Boeing 747-400, which can carry 290 passengers and 62 tons of cargo, with endurance to fly nonstop to anywhere in South and Central America, Africa and parts of Europe, the United States and Canada.
[edit] Port
Suape port. Suape serves ships 365 days a year without any restrictions in regards to tide schedules. To assist in the docking operation of the ships, the port offers a monitoring system and laser ship docking system that enables effective, secure control and upholds the same technical standards as the most important ports across the globe. The port moves over 5 million tons of cargo a year. The liquid granary (petroleum by-products, chemical products, alcohols, vegetable oils, etc.) constitutes more than 80% of the movement. The port can serve ships of up to 170,000 tpb and operational draft of 14.50m. With 27km² of backport, the internal and external ports offer the necessary conditions for serving large ships. The access canal has 5,000m of extension, 300m in width and 16.5m in length.
[edit] Tourism and recreation
The Pernambuco coastline is 187 km long. FERNANDO DE NORONHA Fernando de Noronha is an isolated group of 21 volcanic islands approximately 340 miles from Recife. The main islands are the visible parts of a range of submerged mountains, islets and rocks. The Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha hosts ecological sites ideal for exuberant marine animal life, due to its geographic location far from the continent and well within the path of the Southern Equatorial Currents, as well as the nature of its climate. How to get there : by plane from Recife (545km) or from Natal (360). An environmental preservation fee is charged from tourists upon arrival. PORTO DE GALINHAS It's famous for being one of the most beautiful beaches of the Brazilian coast, due to its landscape. Warm clear water pools scattered around its coral reefs, estuaries, mangroves, coconut trees and a number of other samples of abundant nature richness make Porto de Galinhas a place not to be missed or forgotten. How to get there : can be reached through Highways BR-101 Sul, PE-060, PE-038 and PE-09. BOA VIAGEM If you are looking for a good beach but don't want to take a long journey to get there, Boa Viagem is the best choice. Located in the privileged southern Recife metropolitan area, BV is the most important and frequented beach in town. It is protected by a long reef wall and has an extensive coastline. How to get there : Boa Viagem, Recife. ILHA DE ITAMARACÁ Separated from the mainland by the Jaguaribe River, it has several highly frequented beaches. Among them are Forte Orange, Praia do Sossego and Pontal da Ilha. On the island you can visit the Marine Manatee Preservation Center. How to get there : you can reach the island through Highway BR-101 Norte, going past Igarassu, Itapissuma, and reaching Itamaracá at km 34. MARACAÍPE Beach with big waves. Maracaípe hosts a phase of the Brazilian Surf Tournament. Highly frequented by surfers and neighbor to Porto de Galinhas, Maracaípe. How to get there : can be reached through Highways BR-101 Sul, PE-060, PE-038 and PE-09. TAMANDARÉ Small waves and fine sand can be found there. Considered by many as the best beach for bathing and swimming in Pernambuco. Easy to reach from Recife How to get there : through Highway BR-101 Sul, PE-060 and PE-076. CALHETAS Small bay of difficult access. Searched for by many for diving. How to get there : you can reach Calhetas through BR-101 Sul and PE-060. COROA DO AVIÃO Famous small island, in the middle of the Jaguaribe River delta, which can be reached only by boat or raft, from Recife or Itamaracá. How to get there : from Itamaracá only by boat or raft.
[edit] Main Cities
- Abreu e Lima
- Araripina
- Arcoverde
- Cabo de Santo Agostinho - Where the important Suape port is situated.
- Camaragibe
- Carpina
- Caruaru - Main city in the country side.
- Condado - Condado is located at the Zona da Mata region of the state, also called Princesinha da
- Exu
- Floresta
- Garanhuns - Highland city, pleasant climate.
- Goiana
- Gravatá - Another highland city with bland climate, known as the "Brazilian-northern Swiss" because of its weather and European-influenced architecture with Alpine-style buildings.
- Igarassu
- Ipojuca - It includes Porto de Galinhas beach.
- Jaboatão dos Guararapes
- Limoeiro
- Moreno
- Nazaré da Mata - Capital of the Maracatu
- Olinda - Historical site, first capital.
- Ouricuri
- Palmares
- Paulista
- Pesqueira
- Petrolândia
- Petrolina
- Recife - State capital.
- Santa Cruz do Capibaribe
- São Lourenço da Mata
- Serra Talhada
- Sertânia
- Surubim
- Triunfo
- Timbaúba
- Vitória de Santo Antão
See also:
- List of cities in Brazil (all cities and municipalities)
[edit] Basic Public Services
Households covered by the following public services:
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SERVICE
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PERNAMBUCO
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BAHIA
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CEARÁ
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MARANHAO
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MATO GROSSO
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GOIÁS
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MINAS GERAIS
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RIO DE JANEIRO
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SAO PAULO
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RIO GRANDE DO SUL
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Data Source: IBGE.
When compared to the other three largest Northeastern states (Bahia, Ceará and Maranhao), Pernambuco's performance is above average on four of the five services (water, garbage collection, electricity and landline telephone lines). In certain categories, Pernambuco's performance is similar to those of states of in the Center-West (data are presented for Mato Grosso and Goiás). Nonetheless, the state's figures are still substantially behind those of Southeastern or Southern states (data are presented for Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul).
[edit] Institutions
- Polytechnic School, Pernambuco University [1]
- Federal University of Pernambuco
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco www.ufrpe.br
- Pernambucan Football Federation
[edit] External links
- (Portuguese) Official Website
- (Portuguese) Tourism Official Website
- Cities of Pernambuco
[edit] See also
- Pernambuco is also the name of a tropical tree used for lumber and red dye. Species Caesalpinia echinata. It was also called brazilwood (in Portuguese, pau-brasil), and gave its name to the country, rather than the other way around.
[edit] Notes
- ^ The presented pronunciation is in Brazilian Portuguese variant spoken in Pernambuco. The European Portuguese pronunciation is: /pɨɾ.nɐ̃.'βu.ku/.
[edit] References
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
