Palhoça

Palhoça
Flag Seal
Location of Palhoça
Country	Brazil
Region	South
State	Santa Catarina
Founded	July 31, 1793
Government
• Mayor	Ronério Heiderscheidt (PMDB)
Area
• Total	394,662 km2 (152,380 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population  (2006)
• Total	122,471
• Density	324.6/km2 (841/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC-3)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-2 (UTC-2)
HDI (2000)	0.816
Website	www.palhoca.sc.gov.br

History

Palhoça was founded in 1793, when the city was part of the way between Lages and Florianópolis in order to protect the capital state from possible invasions. It name comes from “straw roof” because the huge quantity of houses with this kind of roof, once the first Palhoça citizens was the native people.

Geography

Palhoça is located in Florianópolis Region. It is bordered on the north by São José, on the northwest by São Pedro de Alcântara, on the southwest by Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, on the south by Paulo Lopes and on the east by Santa Catarina Island south bay.

The Palhoça coast consists in a long mangrove and beaches on the south.

The highest point of the city is Cambirela mountain, located in a natural preservation area.

Economy

The most important industries of the city are located on the north region. Ponte do Imaruim neighborhood is has a strong commerce while Jardim Eldorado neighborhood has the most important industry zone. The south of the have developed the tourism and fishing as a way to improve the city economy.

Palhoça’s economy has been growing. Because of that, companies like Renner and AmBev built their headquarters in this city. In 2010, Via Catarina Mall, the first built in this city, will be opened in Pagani neighborhood, close to the City Hall.

New private neighborhoods have been built, concerned about natural preservation and quality of life.

Even though economy is growing, a lot of people still live in poor neighborhoods, with high criminal rates.

Transportation

BR-282 highway connects the city with Santo Amaro da Imperatriz while BR-101 connects Palhoça with São José and Paulo Lopes.

The bus is the only mean of public transportation in Palhoça. Jotur, Imperatriz and Paulo Lopes are the bus companies that operate in Palhoça.