Paraiba Check Location Map

Description

. The inscription "NEGO" printed in white characters on a red background is originated from the contrary position adopted by Paraνba concerning the candidature of Julio Prestes for the Presidency of the Republic, sent by telegram in answer to the consultation made by Mr. Tavares Cavalcanti, intermediator of the Catete Palace.
	The black color expresses the mourning the State wore in honor of the assassination of Joγo Pessoa - at that time President of Paraνba - on July 26th, 1930, in Recife by the Bachelor Joγo Dantas. Thus the Revolution of 1930 began.
The capital of Paraνba, Joγo Pessoa, is one of the biggest attractions in the state. It is the second ranking city in the world in terms of green spaces, with more than 700 hectares of forested land, losing only to Paris. It gained this distinction in 1992, after a survey of urban centres in various countries carried out by the United Nations.
	With its parks and avenues lined with fruit bearing and ornamental trees, Joγo Pessoa also preserves parts of the Atlantic forest in the central area of the city, such as in the Parque da Bica - a zoological and botanical park - and in the Mata do Buraquinho, as well as the coconut palms and various other kinds of tree along the beaches, which attract thousands of tourists every year. The state has 230 kilometres of coastline and the best known beaches in the state, such as Tambaϊ and Manaνra, are located in or near the capital.
In the mid 16th century, Portuguese settlers from Pernambuco founded the small town of Filipιia de Nossa Senhora das Neves, today Joγo Pessoa, at the mouth of the river Paraνba. Soon the sugar cane production began, attracting Portuguese, French as well as Dutch, all fighting for land. The cultural and historical influence of these is still present today in local architecture and monuments, and their legacy can be seen in the green eyes of many inhabitants of Paraνba.
	With a rich historical inheritance, some towns in the state still preserve traces of colonial Brazil in their architecture. One of these is Cabedelo, 18 kilometres from Joγo Pessoa, where the fortress of Santa Catarina was built at a strategic point for combating the Dutch and French invaders. Cabedelo also has the island of Areia Vermelha (Red Sand), where a vast sandbank emerges from the waters in the months of December and January. The town is of considerable economic importance to the state, because its port represents the only commercial distribution and export centre in Paraνba.
In the interior of the state, 120 kilometres from Joγo Pessoa, lies Campina Grande, the second largest city of Paraνba in terms of population, where one of the biggest June festivals is held. St John's Night, on 24 June, is commemorated in the Parque do Povo, an area of 42,000 m2 - half the size of Maracanγ Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Decked out in flags and with bonfires everywhere, the city of 326,000 inhabitants receives an average of 400,000 tourists from all over Brazil and abroad. Campina Grande also offers scientific adventure. 40 kilometres from the city centre are the Pedras do Ingα, stones bearing inscriptions of great archaeological value. Surrounded in mystery, they form with the Valley of the Dinosaurs an important
	Joγo Pessoa and Campina Grande are responsible for a large part of the economy of Paraνba, which is based on the leather industry, tourism and crop and livestock farming. As the third largest producer of shoes in Brazil, the state has more than 70 companies manufacturing leather items and more than 500 micro businesses in the informal sector of the economy. Originating in backyard workshops, the leather and shoe industry competes today on the national and international markets. Around 14 million pairs of shoes a year are produced. In agriculture, the main products are pineapples and sugar cane.
As regards tourism, besides the beaches and natural attractions of the state, it is worth sampling the local cuisine, based on sea food and dishes involving dried meat and manioc flour. The most typical dish is arrumadinho, made with beans, dried meat, tomatoes, onions peppers, coriander and manioc flour.