Other important towns/cities
Campina Grande, Paraiba’s second city, some 200km into the interior of the state, famous for it’s annual Sao João party, the biggest in the world. (See more about Campina Grande under Technology).
Patos, is considered the only regional capital of Brazil’s northeast country side, and it polarizes over 70 municipalities, including some from Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. Its forte is the commerce which makes its population fluctuate around 130 thousand, but on the São João holiday tourists raise the population to 200 thousand. It is also considered the city with the best income distribution and urban structure, and really low violence rates.
It is a city rich in minerals and a center for regional agricultural trading. Patos stands out also as one of the fastest growing industries at the northeast’s country side. The commerce is based mostly on cotton and beans, and there are shoes, and vegetal oil extraction factories. There are pink marble deposit, and occurrences of gold, silver, lime and rock crystal.
Sousa, is the main city of the homonymous micro region. Here you will find the Jurassic Park, one of the biggest preserved dinosaur’s footprints areas in the world. It was observed fossilized footprints of over 80 different species, mostly carnivores. They are between 5 and 40cm long. Recently (2007) oil has been found in Sousa, while making water wells, however exploration has not begun.
The coast
North of Joao Pessoa; Directly to the north of Joao Pessoa is the municipality of Cabadelo, famous for its port and fortress which protected the city form attack from the sea under first Portuguese then Dutch then back to Portuguese control. Within the municipality of Cabadelo are included the beaches of Intermares, Ponto de Campina, Poço, Cambohina and Praia Formosa. These beaches are popular with locals especially in January when many of the more wealthy Paraibanos move to their holiday homes for the month. From Cabadelo one can take a ferry boat over to Lucena a small beach town popular at weekends and carnival when the sleepy village takes on a completely different role as party central. Moving up the coast from Lucena there are various beach communities most are poor fishing villages.
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South of Paraiba; After diverting around a large area of preserved coastline with a few secluded beaches you arrive at Jacumã, within the municipality of Conde, Jacumã is a small town which provides basic shops and services for its neighbouring beaches of Praia do Amor, Carapibus, Tabatinga, Coquerinho, Tamababa and Praia Bella. It is a very rustic village, granted special status by the federal government, funding is being provided to upgrade the infrastructure and provide facilities for the town, which has always attracted the bohemian type traveller.
Developers are concentrating on this area with many resort and condominium projects currently in planning stage. The beaches of Coquerinho and Tabatinga and amongst the best in Brazil, picture postcard shallow white sand palm tree lined beaches, popular but never crowded. Along the road another ten minutes is Tambaba, Paraiba’s famous nudist beach.
Tourism
Paraiba is a popular destination for Brazilian’s from the south of the country the main attraction being the nature of the place, whilst more tourism and leisure facilities are being planed and built it is currently true to say that there is little tourist infrastructure of an international standard. Paraiba is a family destination with outstanding beaches and natural activities but currently without the water parks and theme parks that may attract some. Adventure sports enthusiasts will find many activities to keep them busy at the coast and interior of the state.
The towns of Cabaceiras and Souza have their own very special attractions with Pai Mateus and the dinosaur valley respectably. The state and local governments are actively pursuing the tourist market both internally and internationally but intend to maintain the areas special feel by restricting development to a sustainable and environmentally friendly level.
Sites to see
Areia Vermelha; An amazing sand bank, one kilometre off shore at Camboinha that becomes a great lunch venue, if the tide is right! You can get there by plane, helicopter, boat, jet ski, surfboard, you can even swim. If the tides are right the island becomes a great location for a good lunch, as the tide goes out several tented restaurants and bars appear, families gather for a great lunch in the sand then all is packed away and returned to nature as the tide returns. Picãozinho; Most days the tourist boats leave from Tambaú beach for a three to four hour excursion to Picãozinho, natural pools that form in the coral reef about 1km off the beach. The boasts carry snorkelling gear, barbecues and drinks, the fish are friendly and waters clear and warm.
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Buggy trips south and north coast; Beach buggies are designed to run on the beach and Paraiba provides some dramatic beaches to run them on, you will see the coastline from a unique perspective from the beach! The buggy trips take you to places inaccessible by any other means. “I lived in the area for a year before taking my first buggy trip, that day I fell in love with Brazil all over again!” Buggies carry three or four passengers, always choose a qualified and insured driver!
Historic João Pessoa; Being Brazil’s third oldest city, Joao Pessoa has more cultural and antique sites than most Brazilian cities. The old town / commercial centre is being renovated as finally some importance is being placed on the old heritage of the city. Some of the areas most spectacular views are from the old city looking down towards the old port area. There are the usual old churches and colonial buildings and the interior of the historic wooded theatre is well worth a look. A well informed guide will keep you interested and show you a side of Joao Pessoa most unseen by many.
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Pai Mateus; For those seeking a little adventure and contact with nature this is the eco tour for you. The "Pai Mateus" rocky landscape looks like a film set. There are the most bizarre, mysterious rock formations, inscriptions dating from 3 thousand years attributed to ancient native inhabitants. Rivers and lakes around the rocky formations make this area ideal for trekking and climbing. The peaceful and mystical atmosphere is ideal for relaxing and the sunset behind the mountains is unforgettable. Overnight at Pai Mateus Ranch. Relax in the swimming pool or firewood sauna. Admire the sky and experience the starry Sertão night (Sertão is the Brazilian equivalent of the Australian Outback).
Roncador; Travel to Ingá (Cariri Paraibano) visit the one of the largest Brazilian archaeological monument. It is a huge monolith, with beautiful prehistoric petroglyphs, carved by skilful hands thousands of years ago. Picnic at the site and continue to the Roncador (The Snorer) Waterfall. There is very clear water and exotic nature to view, abseiling adventure is available here if booked in advance.
Peixe boi project;To the north of Paraiba is the Manatee Project at Mamanguape river, here you will see a working project preserving this species of mammal native to this region, travel through the nature reserve in canoes to get up and personal with these friendly sea creatures, see how the preservation of these creatures is being carried out.
Jacaré; Travel to the river beach Jacaré, in Paraíba’s river. You will have the chance to appreciate the sunset to the sound of Ravel's Bolero, a tradition in Paraíba. An atmosphere of peace invades this unforgettable spectacle of nature.
Dinosaur valley; Visit the River do Peixe, in the town of Souza, located in the Sertão of Paraíba (equivalent to the Australian Outback). Visit the Dinosaur Valley, an Archaeological treasure where the dinosaurs footprints aged 120 millions of years have left a gift from the past. It is considered one of the most important pre-historical sites of the world with excellent public access. Stay at Hotel Brejo das Freiras, a Thermal Resort with therapeutic pools of mineral water with a 36,5ºC temperature.
Botanic Gardens; Visit one of the largest urban forests in the country, with over 500 hectares of lush rain forest. Appreciate the local animals and plants. Includes a 40 minute walk, so we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Culture and Arts Park; The newly opened arts and culture park at Cabo Branco provides a superb viewing point for the cities beaches, there are art displays and science displays with an auditorium with some interesting lectures and shows. The building is designed by the famous Oscar Niemeyer.
Air links
João Pessoa’s airport has recently been rebuilt with a lengthened and strengthened runway, Castro Pinto is now ready and waiting to receive additional national and international flights. Some say that João Pessoa’s weakness is it’s lack of International flights but in truth Paraiba is better positioned for international flights than its “competitors” states due to its proximity to both Recife and Natal international airports, currently travel time to Recife is two hours and two and a half to Natal however the soon to be completed road improvements which is bringing a direct dual carriageway link between the three cities will decrease these travel times by an estimated 30%, these roadwork’s are ongoing not just in planning! We anticipate the roads will be completely open by next summer.
Industry
Industrialists looking to operate in Paraiba will find that the workforce is relatively well educated and plentiful. Traditionally the state has been a manufacturing centre for shoes and clothing, with many other low tech industries featuring to a lesser degree. Today Paraiba is proudly waving the hi-tec flag aggressively pursuing industrial investment by offering welcome packs including tax incentives to industrialist from around the globe.
Agriculture
The climate, rich soil and the availability of plentiful irrigation help to make Paraiba one of the most fertile agricultural spots in the world. Modern farming technology arm in arm with traditional methods produce outstanding crops. The lands are vast, the opportunities plentiful. Traditionally a sugar crop area, new crops types are being introduced including off course alternative bio fuel crops.
Manufacturing
The industry of Paraiba is concentrated in Joao Pessoa, Campina Grande and Patos.
Paraiba industrial profile remains very traditional and deals with the processing of agricultural raw materials and minerals. The main industries are textiles, linked to the processing of vegetable fibers (sisal and cotton color) and fabrics, the food industry, with emphasis on the sugar manufacturing, processing of non-metallic mineral, with emphasis on the cement industry, footwear and software.
In Joao Pessoa there is a concentration of a large number of industries surrounding the cities of Bayeux, Santa Rita, Cabedelo, Lucena and Conde. They form the cluster of capital and stand out in industrial production. As a major population center, Joao Pessoa concentrates the food industries and construction, cement and textile industry. The other major industrial center of Paraiba is Campina Grande. The dynamism of this city exists mainly because of the installation of the Federal University of Campina Grande. At the University, are made to reflect search technology products and production of footwear, in the textile industry, in food production, beverages, fruit and industrialized in recent decades in the area of information technology, mainly software.
Paraiba is placed fifth in northeastern Brazil in the value of exports. The state mainly exports, sisal, ethyl alcohol, fabric, pineapple, carpets in general, fruit, shoes, leather, fruit juices, tuna, rubber sandals, eddoes, crystal sugar, fabrics (based on colored cotton) and software. http://www.sebraepb.com.br:8080/calcados/paraiba.htm
Technology
Campina Grande, a city established on the Borborema Mountains, is one of Brazil’s most important cities for investment in technology, with it’s well known centre for Electronics and software development, the city has attracted investment from important multinational companies such as HP, Motorola, Nokia and Petrobrás. Besides it’s technological centre, Campina Grande Also offers the first and only naturally colored cotton centre, this type of cotton comes in many different colors such as brown, red and green, and it does not need any artificial dying.
Real estate opportunities
Investors and developers are looking at the northeast of Brazil as a safe and sustainable haven for property investment, it surely is a land of opportunity. With the world economic situation in a questionable state Brazil remains largely unaffected, it has not got reliance on anything form outside the country, doesn’t have a terrorist or natural disaster issue and is not involved in the American sub prime issues that are ruining many financial markets. Currently Brazil has a strong economy, lower inflation than the UK! and a strong manufacturing based economy, tourism is booming and interest in the country from all levels of investors is at an all time high!
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