Ceará - Brazil
No other Brazilian State offers such a diverse range of landscapes as Ceará. Beaches, the hinterlands, mountain ranges and historical cities blend together to form one of the most beautiful landscapes in Brazil.
But it is not only the scenery that is charming: the hospitality of the
people, the special cuisine and the rich and original culture make Ceará an irresistible tourist destination. Those who know about it, come back.
The surprises start with the coastline: one of the longest in the country, stretching for 573 kilometers. Cleared by the Portuguese colonizers in the 17th century, the coast of Ceará is rich in dunes, cliffs, coconut groves and freshwater coves. Even here, diversity is still the strenght. Urbanized beaches, such as Iguape and Icaraí, perfectly counterbalance paradises such as Jericoacoara and Quixaba.
Landscapes
Moving away from the coast, Ceará offers surprising landscapes. Up in the mountain ranges, the tourist will come across a mild climate and excellent places to stay, all surrounded by the exuberant local vegetation, one of the last places where the Brazilian Atlantic Forest survives. The mountain regions are ideal for ecological tourism. Cities such as Ubajara and Guaramiranga have environmentally protected areas.
The hinterlands are another challenge. Occupying 57% of the area of Ceará, this region offers unusual attractions. Unique rock formations enable the practice of radical sports, such as hang gliding and abseiling. The countless trails are perfect for long walks between landscapes which combine the arid climate, the savannah vegetation and the large dams.
The cities, which are home to a welcoming people, and the traditional cuisine of the northeastern hinterlands, portray the historical signs of Ceará in their buildings. This is a history consisting of battles, which began back in the 16th century, when the first Europeans landed on the coast of Ceará. During the decades that followed, Ceará was disputed by the Dutch and the Portuguese. At this time, it was still part of the territory of Pernambuco. It was only at the start of the 18th century that the State became independent of Pernambuco and entered a stage of rapid economic growth.
The Land of Light
During the time of the Empire, one of the most well-known facts in the history of Ceará took place. In 1881, the raftsman Francisco José do Nascimento, "The Sea Dragon", as he was nicknamed by Chico da Matilde, refused to transport the slaves that were to be sold in the South of Brazil to the slave ships, which were anchored in the port of Fortaleza. This gesture contributed to making Ceará the first Province in the country to abolish slavery in 1884. For this reason, the State was called "The Land of Light".
Location
The State of Ceará is situated in the Northeast of Brazil, just below the Equator. To the south, lies the State of Pernambuco, and to the north, the Atlantic Ocean, to the west, lies the State of Piauí and to the east, the States of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte.
Area 146,348 km²
Population 7,417,402 (2000), of which:
Urban population - 2,138,234
Rural population - 5,279,168
Climate and temperature
Coast: hot, semi-humid (average temperature between 26º and 27º C)
Mountains: cold humid (average temperature around 22º C)
Hinterlands: semi-arid (average temperature between 32º and 33º C)
Average annual rainfall
775 mm
Altitude
From 400 to 1,100 meters
Aquiraz
The strong point of Aquiraz, the first capital of Ceará, is its beaches. Prainha, Iguape, Porto das Dunas, Presídio and Batoque have things in common, such as calm waters and warm sea temperatures.
Ponta do Iguape has freshwater springs, which are often used by tourists for bathing. The Barro Preto Beach is in a beautiful location, formed of abundant vegetation, mangrove, coconut groves and wax palms. The Aquiraz coast is one of the most urbanized in Ceará, with hotels of all types. This municipality is also where Beach Park is to be found.
