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Paraíba

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Paraíba is a state located in the Northeast region of Brazil.

Novo mapa Capitanias
Novo mapa Capitanias

It sits right next to the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern side. To the north, it shares a border with Rio Grande do Norte. Ceará lies to the west, while Pernambuco is to the south. The state gets its name from the Paraíba river. Most people live near the coast where the land meets the sea. This area includes Ponta do Seixas, which is the easternmost point of the mainland Americas.

Paraíba Köppen
Paraíba Köppen

The land in Paraíba has many different looks and feels. You can find sandy seaside beaches along the coast. Further inland, the land rises into the Borborema Plateau. The climate is often described as amenable, which means it is pleasant for people. The state is a busy place for both industry and tourism. It is divided into 223 different municipalities, or local areas.

BR-101, Pedras de Fogo (PB)
BR-101, Pedras de Fogo (PB)

Some of these areas are very crowded, while others are more quiet.

Long ago, many indigenous tribes lived on this land. The Potiguara people lived near the Paraíba do Norte river. Other groups, like the Kiriri and Ariús, lived further west. In 1500, the explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral reached the coast of Brazil. Later, the King of Portugal divided the land into captaincies. Most of Paraíba was part of the Captaincy of Itamaracá. This led to many years of tension between the settlers and the indigenous people.

Brasão da Capitania da Paraíba
Brasão da Capitania da Paraíba

History in Paraíba saw many battles for control. The Dutch tried to take the land because of the successful sugarcane industry. They arrived in the Bay of Traição in 1625. After many fights, the Dutch finally conquered the area in 1634. They found the capital city, then called Filipeia de Nossa Senhora das Neves, mostly empty.

View of Frederiksstad in Paraiba, Brazil 1638 Frans Post
View of Frederiksstad in Paraiba, Brazil 1638 Frans Post

It took many years before the Portuguese were able to retake the state in 1654. Later, explorers called bandeirantes pushed further into the interior.

Today, Paraíba is a place with a rich culture and many famous people. The capital city is João Pessoa, which sits on the coast. Campina Grande is another large city found in the countryside.

The state is home to many talented writers and poets. Some of these include Ariano Suassuna and the painter Pedro Américo. People visit to see the beautiful sights and enjoy the local traditions. It remains a very important part of the Brazilian Northeast.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Novo mapa Capitanias.jpg
Novo mapa Capitanias.jpg
File:Brasão da Capitania da Paraíba.jpg
Brasão da Capitania da Paraíba.jpg
File:View of Frederiksstad in Paraiba, Brazil 1638 Frans Post.jpg
View of Frederiksstad in Paraiba, Brazil...
File:João Pessoa Cavalcanti de Albuquerque.jpg
João Pessoa Cavalcanti de Albuquerque.jpg
File:Mausoléu de João Pessoa, João Pessoa (PB).jpg
Mausoléu de João Pessoa, João Pessoa (PB).jpg
File:Paraíba Köppen.svg
Paraíba Köppen.svg
File:- paraiba tourmaine.png
- paraiba tourmaine.png
File:Ethnic groups in Paraíba-2010.png
Ethnic groups in Paraíba-2010.png
File:CCJ-UEPB.jpg
CCJ-UEPB.jpg
File:Indústria 3 de Maio.jpg
Indústria 3 de Maio.jpg
File:Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport.jpg
Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport.jpg
File:BR-101, Pedras de Fogo (PB).jpg
BR-101, Pedras de Fogo (PB).jpg

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