Ilha de São Luís is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, part of the state of Maranhão, in northeastern Brazil. It is the largest island in Brazil and the ninth largest island in the world. The total area is 1,276 km2. The island has a population of 193,812 people as of 2010.
Ilha de São Luís is mostly agricultural, with sugar cane and cotton as the most important crops. Tourism is also a significant source of income.
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History
The island was first colonized in 1534 by the Portuguese, who named it Ilha de Santo António. In 1624, King Luís I of Portugal granted a charter to a group of Dutch settlers to create a tobacco monopoly on the island. The island became part of Brazil in 1822 with the Treaty of Tordesillas.
Ecology and climate
Ilha de São Luís is mostly agricultural, with sugar cane and cotton as the most important crops. Tourism is also a significant source of income. The average annual temperature ranges from 19 °C at the coast to 26 °C in the island interior. Rainfall averages approximately 6,400 mm a year with e majority falling during the winter months throughout December through March and more significantly toward mid-May.
Attractions include: São Salvador (St. Lawrence island) is a 298 hectare island, located amid the municipalities of Itapeva and Vila de São Miguel in state of Maranhão, Brazil. The island has an area altitude from 20 metres to 200 meters above sea level and is formed by the Luiz Lobato e Rio dos Peixes outlet (or river). Its name was given due to Saint Lawrence River that flows through it before entering Ilha Formosa, on itself being part of Pará State.
Culture
The island has a plurality of Afro-Brazilian, European, and Amerindian cultures. Portuguese is the primary language spoken on the island. São Salvador is practically inaccessible to tourists, although its island ecosystem was resettled there. It hosts a small community of the indigenous Borariro people and their culture can be seen in various locations including within São Bigode natural reserve through which a river empties upon leaving the island.
Some aspects of its Afro-Brazilian heritage are upheld e ilhas dos onças ocorrerem em silêncio (pheasants occur by themselves), ancestral bacuri/agua d’ambô music that originated from slaves brought during Dutch settlement, atra ção e peixe-boi, which consists of a shark that’s caught during fishing and is put in a boiling pot.
In the island’s public school there are classes Portuguese, Afro Brazilian language, technology and information engineering; also Sampaio Ferraz regional Eduardo Campos Polytechnic training institute[3] offers courses in Computer Science at Pontotoc School (academia) and Paulo Freire University. The island hosts small but dynamic fisher community that can be found near Bangaí beach to overnight fishermen or those traveling with their catch on their boat.
Politics
There is no legal system on São Salvador, and the island’s government consists of a governor appointed by the Brazilian president with support from a council. The island enjoys autonomy within Pará state.
The population is primarily engaged in subsistence agriculture, fishing, and artisanal production. There are no major industrial or commercial enterprises on the island. Main industrial activity is tourism, though basic needs are concentrated in the island’s two or three public markets. The few plantations on São Salvador island produce mainly sisal fibers and eucalyptus wood for export, as well as a small quantity of coffee.
Government services
The island is provided with basic services by Brazilian government agencies, including health, education and social welfare. However, the high prevalence of poverty and lack of mobility impedes the island’s full integration into wider Brazilian society.
Economy
The main source of income on São Salvador is tourism, which accounts for around a third of GDP. Other important sources of revenue are informality generated through small-scale artisanal production (e.g., handicrafts) and eucalyptus wood sales to regional processing plants , e.g., for construction and Brazilian furniture industries, respectively.
São Salvador island is a popular vacation destination with about 30,000 tourists per year according to the numbers of its committee (Comissão Municipal).
Tourism
Tourism is the island’s main economic activity, accounting for a third of GDP. The island enjoys excellent natural and cultural attractions, which make it a popular tourist destination.
The main attraction is the island’s endemic bird species (more than 100 different kinds), many of which are rare or threatened in Brazil. Other important attractions include beaches, forests, caves and archaeological sites.
There are several tour operators that offer multiday packages to visit São Salvador island as well as other destinations in Pará state including Belém and Arraial do Cabo.
Conclusion
Ilha de São Luís is a volcanic island located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. It is 114 km by 54 km, and has an elevation of 635 meters. The island has a population of around 5,000. The first settlers arrived on the island in 1531, and it served as a penal colony until 1821. It became a national park in 1968. Ilha de São Luís is home to several species of reptiles, including the Brazilian turtle, which is the world’s smallest freshwater turtle.
FAQs
1 . What Are The Most Important Attractions On Ilha De São Luís?
There are several attractions on Ilha de São Luís, including the island’s natural beauty, its history, and its wildlife. Some of the other attractions include a lighthouse, a botanical garden, and various beaches.
- Is There Public Transport Available To Get To Ilha De São Luís?
Yes, there is public transport available to get to Ilhas de Sao Luis island. You can either take a ferry or fly in via helicopter or plane.
- Is Ilha De Sao Luis Island Malaria Free?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different people have different opinions on whether or not Ilha de Sao Luís island is malaria free. However, there are no reports of any cases of the disease being contracted on the island.
- Is Ilha De Sao Luis Island Safe To Visit?
Ilha de Sao Luís island is generally safe to visit, although there are a few areas where you should be cautious. It is advised not to wander off the main paths, and to avoid swimming in dangerous waters.
- Will I Be Able To See Any Wildlife On Ilha De Sao Luís Island?
There are a few species of wildlife that can be seen on Ilha de Sao Luis island, including spiders, iguanas, and parrots. However, the chances of seeing these animals in person is slim as they tend to shy away from humans.
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