João Pessoa is a Brazilian coastal city located in the Northeast region. It belongs to the state of Paraíba and concentrates the main political and administrative activities in the state, making it its capital. With a humid tropical climate and smooth relief, the city is part of the Atlantic Forest biome. Its economy stands out in both the trade and services and industrial and technological sectors. It currently has 817,511 inhabitants and a high population density of more than 3 thousand inhabitants/km².
Read too: What are the capitals of Brazilian states?
Summary
João Pessoa is the capital of the state of Paraíba, in the Northeast Region of Brazil.
The city was founded on August 5, 1585, starting from the Fort of Castelo. This building is now one of the city's tourist attractions.
It has a humid tropical climate and a relief composed of coastal plains and plains. Its vegetation cover belongs to the Atlantic Forest biome.
It is the most populous city in Paraíba, with 817,511 inhabitants. In addition, it is densely populated and has a distribution of 3,421.28 inhabitants/km².
Its GDP corresponds to one third of the state's GDP. João Pessoa's economy is concentrated in the tertiary sector, with emphasis on activities related to tourism. It also has one of the main industrial and technological parks in the state.
It has several cultural spaces, such as Cabo Branco Station, and historical spaces, such as Forte do Castelo itself, which have become great attractions for visitors, in addition to its beaches.
General data of João Pessoa
Gentile: people.
Location: Northeast region.
Parents: Brazil.
Federative unit: Paraíba.
Intermediate region[1]: João Pessoa.
Immediate region[1]: João Pessoa.
Metropolitan region: Metropolitan Region of João Pessoa or Greater João Pessoa. Made up of 12 municipalities: João Pessoa, Bayeux, Cabedelo, Conde, Cruz do Espírito Santo, Lucena, Rio Tinto, Santa Rita, Alhandra, Caaporã, Pedras de Fogo, Pitimbaú.
Bordering municipalities: Bayeux, Santa Rita, Count, Cabedelo.
geography
- Total area: 210,044 km² (IBGE, 2020).
Total population: 817,511 inhabitants (IBGE, 2020).
Density: 3,421.28 inhab./km² (IBGE, 2010).
Climate: tropical wet.
Altitude: 37 meters.
Time zone: GMT -3 hours.
Historic:
- Foundation: August 5, 1585.
Geography of João Pessoa
João Pessoa is a Brazilian municipality located on the northeast coast of the country. It belongs to the federative unit of Paraíba and plays the role of its capital, as it houses the seat of the state government and concentrates its political-administrative activities. It has an area of 210 km², being one of the smallest Brazilian capitals.
as being a metropolis regional, is the main city of the Metropolitan Region of João Pessoa, also called Grande João Pessoa. Located in eastern Paraíba, the city has an eastern exit to the Atlantic Ocean. It also borders four other municipalities:
Cabedelo, to the north;
Santa Rita and Bayeux to the west;
Count, to the south.
![Partial view of the beaches of Tambaú and Manaíra in João Pessoa, Paraíba. [1]](/f/a07e930dd97bf8f1ca0f06153e3df50e.jpg)
Let's now analyze some of João Pessoa's physical characteristics.
João Pessoa climate
O climate predominant in the capital of Paraíba is the tropical wetO, characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. The average is around 26º C, while the minimums registered are 22º C and maximums of 28º C. The air humidity remains above 70%, and the largest volumes of rain are concentrated in the months referring to the autumn and beginning of Winter, between April and July. Annually, the rainfall is 1,700 mm.
Relief of João Pessoa
João Pessoa is inserted in the domain of plains and coastal lowlands, according to the classification of Aziz Ab’Sáber. Its relief is marked by mostly flat terrain, in addition to the presence of so-called coastal boards. The highest point is located 74 meters above sea level, while the average altitude found in its urban perimeter is 10 meters.
Vegetation of João Pessoa
Located on the coast of Paraíba, its capital belongs to Zona da Mata, area covered by the biome Atlantic forest. Furthermore, João Pessoa belongs to the coastal-marine system, with characteristic plant formations, such as mangroves and restingas.
In this sense, the Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest stands out, located between this municipality and the capital of Paraíba and considered one of the last conserved areas of Atlantic Forest in restinga, according to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). The city is also recognized for its wooded areas and received, in 2019, the title of greenest city in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil |1|.
João Pessoa Hydrography
The municipality is within the scope of the hydrographic basin of the Paraíba River, one of the most important water courses in the state. Its importance extends to the capital, although it does not cross it. O Jaguaribe River bathes the city of João Pessoa and it is one of the main rivers in the city. Added to it are the Mumbaba-Gramame, Marés and Sanhauá rivers.
Read too: Is the Northeast just dry?
João Pessoa map
João Pessoa Demographics
THE people's population is 817,511 inhabitants, as indicated by IBGE data. It is the most populous city in Paraíba and the 24th in Brazil. Among the state headquarters, João Pessoa is in 18th place. When taking into account the population of Paraíba, we have that the capital concentrates 20.2% of Paraíba. The city of João Pessoa is, in addition to being populous, quite populated. The population distribution in its territory is around 3,421.28 inhab./km², the highest concentration in the state and 29th nationwide (IBGE, 2010).
Taking into account a broader temporal scope, the IBGE found that the population of people increased by three and a half times in the last five decades, which also increased its relative participation within the context of Paraíba.
Almost all residents of João Pessoa live in the urban area, reaching 99.6% in 2010, when the last IBGE census was carried out. With regard to population composition, the vast majority of people are mixed race (47.22%) or white (44.28). Blacks, yellows and indigenous people represent, respectively, 6.68%, 1.56% and 0.27% of the population, according to the census.
O Human development Index (HDI) of the capital of Paraíba is 0.763, the highest in the state.
Geographical division of João Pessoa
João Pessoa is made up of 65 districts, which are divided between the North, South, East and West zones of the city. The people's neighborhoods were legally delimited only in 1998, although the city has existed since the 16th century. The most populous of them is the Mangabeira district, which has more than 75,000 inhabitants, according to 2010 census data, and is subdivided into eight other sectors (I to VIII).
João Pessoa Economy
João Pessoa is the main municipal economy in the state of Paraíba, concentrating its main financial and industrial activities. the city presents Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of R$ 20 billion, an amount that corresponds to approximately 31% of the GDP of Paraíba. On a national scale, the Portuguese economy is in 47th place. As in most state capitals, the tertiary sector, which covers services in general and commerce, accounts for the largest share of GDP, which is 59.81%.
O tourism, as well as the activities and production chains directly and indirectly linked to it, has great importance for the economy of João Pessoa, which is due both to its natural landscapes and the cultural and historical aspects of the city. Industry is responsible for 18.3% of the value added to the city's GDP. The capital of Paraíba owns one of the main industrial parks in Paraíba, which brings together large companies from varied branches, such as beverages, food, electronics, textiles, civil construction, furniture, information technology and others. João Pessoa also has the presence of science and technology parks.
Agriculture corresponds to 0.24% of the economy of the country. Animal husbandry and shrimp fishing stand out, as well as fruit production, such as mango, banana, coconut, passion fruit, pineapple, as well as sugarcane plantations.
Read too: Subregions of the Northeast - the subdivisions of the Northeastern territory
João Pessoa government
The government of João Pessoa, following the national and state model, is of the representative democratic. Its governors are chosen by the population of people every four years, through municipal elections. O Mayor is the head of the Executive Power of the municipality, while the Municipal Chamber, representing the local Legislative Power, is formed by 27 councilors.
The city of João Pessoa, as the capital of Paraíba, houses the seat of the state government. This is located in the Palácio da Redenção, in the center of the city.
João Pessoa Infrastructure
THE most of the households in João Pessoa are located in its urban area, thus making use of its service network. According to IBGE data, 96.3% were connected to the municipal water network, while the others were supplied by wells, fountains or springs inside or outside the properties. The vast majority had access to electricity and also sewage or toilets, surpassing 99%. Taking into account adequate depletion, the rate is 70.8%. It is also noteworthy that 78.4% of people's households were located in wooded areas.
Urban displacements are carried out mostly by bus lines, as well as by transport railroad, with 30 km of line and that serves an average of 8,000 passengers every day in its region metropolitan area. O Porto's main port is the Port of Cabedelo, being important for cargo flow. In addition to the federal and state highways that arrive and depart from João Pessoa, connecting the capital of Paraíba to other regions of the country, the João Pessoa International Airport – José Castro Pinto it is the main point of arrivals and departures by air.
Culture of João Pessoa
João Pessoa holds a rich cultural tradition, which is manifested through parties and celebrations, dance, music, crafts, art in general and gastronomy. The city's cultural calendar includes the traditional representation of the Passion of Christ, which takes place in the month of April, the Festa de Iemanjá and the festival of the patron saint of the city as some of the celebrations religious. There are still the June parties, O Carnival and out-of-season micaretas, as well as craft shows and art festivals.
![View of Cabo Branco Station in João Pessoa. [2]](/f/ac3834a501ac1d8780369fb72609307f.jpg)
The city has many historic buildings, that leave marked, in the urban landscape, a piece of João Pessoa's history. Among them we mention the São Francisco Cultural Center, located in the historic center of the city, the Theatro Santa Roza, the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, the Palácio da Redenção and others. In terms of contemporary projects, the Cabo Branco Station was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and it functions as a cultural, artistic and scientific center with free access.
João Pessoa Story
The region where the capital of Paraíba is located today it was predominantly inhabited by indigenous populations., in addition to being in an area highly sought after by the French due to its natural wealth, especially the redwood. The attempt to expand Portuguese rule over the coast in 1560 was frustrated by the Tapuia Indians. A new incursion by the Portuguese took place in the following decade, but without success. In 1579, the area officially became part of the Captaincy of Paraíba. Previously, she was part of the Captaincy of Itamaracá.
You Portuguese managed to establish themselves in the current João Pessoa only in the year 1585, having the city emerged with the purpose of territorial defense. The founding date is set as August 5, 1585 as a result of the construction of a fort in the banks of one of the tributaries of the Rio Paraíba, the Sanhuá, through an agreement with the indigenous people who lived in that region. The city was born under the name of Nossa Senhora das Neves and already with the status of city. From then on, the place started to develop its economic activities and the gradual process of instrumentalization of the urban space of João Pessoa began.
O name of João Pessoa was officially adopted a few centuries later, in 1930, as a way to honor the state governor who was killed that same year. Until then, he referred to the city as Paraíba do Norte. Currently, the capital of Paraíba is its political and administrative center, in addition to concentrating the largest population in the state and the main economic and technological activities.
Grades
G1 PB. Award recognizes João Pessoa as the capital with the greenest urban area in the North and Northeast. G1, 25 Nov. 2019. Available on here. Accessed on June 29 2021.
Image credits
[1] Cacio Murilo / Shutterstock.com
[2] BrunaOly / Shutterstock.com
By Paloma Guitarrara
geography teacher
