Florianopolis, the capital of the State of Santa Catarina, is located on the west coast of the Ilha (island) de Santa Catarina and is linked to the mainland by the longest suspension bridge in Brazil, the Hercilio Luz Bridge. It has a population of 406,564.
It is surrounded by smaller islands with forts, which protected ships in the 17th century.

The city was first setlled by Spaniards in 1542, but by 1675 the Portuguese took control of the island. The captaincy of Santa Catarina was created in 1738 to serve as an outpost in the Portuguese-Spanish territorial wars. During the 19th century a considerable immigration of non-Portuguese peoples occurred. Germans arrived as early as 1829 and came in great numbers during the 1850s, settling not only in Florianopolis, but also along the valleys in the mainland. Anita Garibaldi, wife of Giuseppe Garibaldi fought in the Farroupilha Revolution of 1839, an unsuccessful separatist rebellion in the early days of the empire. Later other waves of immigrants from Italy, Poland, and Russia arrived in Santa Catarina to build new lives.

Today Florianopolis is a busy commercial center. Industries produce metallurgical and electrical communications equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and perfume.. Florianópolis is served by Hercílio Luz International Airport for both domestic and international flights.

Florianópolis is a popular destination for South American tourists, because of its location and white sand beaches. The city is one of the places chosen by the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) to be part of the world championship tour of surfing. Brazil has played host to many an ASP tour event over the past 30 years. There are about 42 well known beaches on Santa Catarina island, but more than 100 in all.