João Pessoa

João Pessoa on the map of Paraíba

João Pessoa is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraíba. By 1930 she was also named Paraíba.

Geography

The city is situated on the Atlantic coast and has about 675,000 inhabitants. It is the easternmost city in the Americas and is also called " city where the sun rises first " because of its location. Nearby is the Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the continent. Because of the high proportion of green space, about 7 square kilometers, the city is sometimes referred to ( Paris ) as zweitgrünste city in the world.

History

Before the arrival of Europeans was the territory of today João Pessoa already a popular settlement area for the Indians, especially from the tribe of Caetes that inhabited the banks of the Rio São Domingos.

The first Europeans who entered the area, the French were in search of brazilwood. 1585 they were expelled by the Portuguese from their positions, even though they had allied themselves with the Indians. During this time, the city was founded.

When Portugal was ruled by the Spanish king, they gave it the name Filipéia.

From 1634 to 1654 today João Pessoa was occupied by the Dutch and renamed Fredriksstad. After the reconquest by the Portuguese, the city got the name Paraíba, she wore until 1930.

In 1930 the Governor of the State of Paraíba, João Pessoa, was murdered in Recife. The city population then decided in a vote to rename the city in João Pessoa.

2004 was elected with 64.45 percent for Mayor Ricardo Coutinho of the PSB.

Religion

João Pessoa is the seat of the Archdiocese of Paraíba.

One of the oldest and thus most important churches of the city is the former Franciscan monastery of São Francisco in the historic center of the city. Other Franciscan monasteries are São Pedro ( also abandoned) and Nossa Senhora do Rosário in Jaguaribe district. The latter is also the parish, which is still served by Franciscans.

Personalities

Sons and daughters

• Mayssa Pessoa, Women's Handball
• Geraldo Vandré - singer, guitarist and composer
• Júnior - 70X Brazilian football player