Santa Leopoldina, EspÃrito Santo
Santa Leopoldina on the map of Espírito Santo
Santa Leopoldina is a Brazilian municipality and small town with about 12,743 inhabitants ( 2009) in the state of Espírito Santo, about 44 kilometers from the provincial capital of Vitória in the interior, with a predominantly German-born Protestant population.
History
Santa Leopoldina was founded in 1856 by around 60 Swiss immigrants who had come across the river Santa Maria. A short time later, followed in 1857, about 200 immigrants from Germany and Luxembourg. The original name, " Cachoeiro de Santa Leopoldina ", the community was dedicated in 1860 by the mother of the Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II Maria Leopoldine, Archduchess of Austria.
In the 19th century the city was, for a long time, the most important economic center in the region. However, the influence decreased again when the roads made waterway competition. The river Santa Maria was the largest advantage of the city, for he was up to the Atlantic Ocean navigable.
The first motorway ( Rodovia ) in the state was built between Santa Leopoldina and Santa Teresa and in 1918 was done. As early as 1924 it was extended to Vitória. Cashoiero de Santa Leopoldina in 1887 raised to the community. 1943, the name of the village was changed: The name component " Cachoeiro de " ( Portuguese for waterfall ) has been removed.
1890 there was a spin-off of Santa Teresa Santa Leopoldina and in 1988 also the village of Santa Maria de Jetibá of Santa Leopoldina has disconnected.
Attractions
Santa Leopoldina is an oasis in the rain forest, rich in flora and fauna. Worth seeing, especially the numerous waterfalls. The most important are (incl. distance from Santa Leopoldina ):
- Cachoeira de Véu Noiva - 9 km
- Cachoeira Rio do meio - 20 km
- Gruta da Cachoeira Onça - 4 km
- Cachoeira das Andorinhas - 8 km
- Cachoeira Parque Rural Hidro Canto das Águas - 3.5 km
- Ribeirão Cachoeira dos Pardo - 4 km
- Cachoeira Fumaça - 3.5 km
- Cachoeira Tio André - 12 km
- Cachoeira do Moxafongo - 1 km
- Cachoeira do Recanto - 10 km
- Cachoeira do Retiro - 5 km