FLORIANOPOLIS (formerly Desterro, Nossa Senhora do Desterro and Santa Catharina, and still popularly known under the last designation), a city and port of Brazil and the capital of the State of Santa Catharina, on the western or inside shore of a large island of the same name, 485 m. S.S.W. of Rio de Janeiro, in 27° 30' S., 48° 3o' W. Pop. (1920) 19,574; of the municipality, including a large rural district and several villages (1930) 46,52o. The harbour is formed at a favourable part of the strait which separates the island from the mainland and is nearly 2 m. wide at this point. It is approached by narrow entrances from the north and south, which are defended by small forts. The island is mountainous and wooded, and completely shelters the harbour from easterly storms. A steel bridge, 85o metres long, now spans the strait. The surroundings are highly picturesque and tropical in character, and the town is a flourishing commercial centre though lacking railway connection inland. Its public build ings include the governor's official residence, arsenal, lyceum, hos pital and some old churches. The climate is warm for the latitude, but the higher elevations of the vicinity are noted for their mild climate and healthfulness. There are some German colonies far ther up the coast whose products find a market here, and a num ber of small settlements along the mainland coast add something to the trade of the town. The more distant inland towns are partly supplied from this point, but difficult mountain roads tend to restrict the trade greatly. There is a considerable trade in mar ket produce with Rio de Janeiro, but the exports are inconsider able. Florianopolis was formerly one of the well known whaling stations of the south Atlantic, and is now a secondary military and naval station.
The island of Santa Catharina was originally settled by the Spanish; Cabeza de Vaca landed here in 1542 and marched hence across country to Asuncion, Paraguay. The Spanish failed to establish a permanent colony, however, and the Portuguese took possession. The island was captured by a Spanish expedition under viceroy Zeballos in 1777• A boundary treaty of that same year restored it to Portugal. In 1894 Santa Catharina fell into the possession of revolutionists against the Government of President Floriano Peixoto. With the collapse of the revolution the city was occupied by the Government forces, and its name was then changed to Florianopolis in honour of the president of the republic.
(G. M. McB.)