About Espírito Santo and Vitória
The state of Espírito Santo
The state of Espírito Santo is one of the fastest growing states in Brazil. Its strategic location, on the coast of Southeastern Brazil, near the biggest production and consumption centers in the country, encourages new investments both for international trade and for internal markets.
In Espírito Santo, the Science, Technology and Innovation System (CT&I) consists of the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, Innovation, Vocational Education and Labor (Sectti), and the Foundation for Research Funding in Espírito Santo (Fapes), which are institutions that follow the guidelines of the State Council for Science and Technology (Consitec), composed of representatives from the academia and non-academic sectors of society.
The economy of Espírito Santo is very diverse and connected to businesses like oil, gas, steelmaking, mining, cellulose and decorative stones. It is also important to mention the agribusiness, including coffee and fruits, as well as metallurgy, mechanics, furniture, clothing, construction business, food industry, among other clusters.
The port facilities in Espírito Santo – one of the biggest in Latin America – are very important for the development of the state. The ports here are responsible for 9% of exports and 5% of imports in the country. In total, they are responsible for 45% of state GDP. Their structure allows several types of cargo handling.
The capital city, Vitória, has the biggest Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
per capita among the capital cities in the country, according to the data published by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) on December, 2012. According to the Jones dos Santos Neves Institute (IJSN), the GDP of the capital comes from the production of iron ore and the services available, including education, health and harbor services. The state achieved the 2nd biggest real growth in 2010. Thus, Espírito Santo is placed 6th in the national per capita GDP index.
Tourism
Tourism in Espírito Santo is divided into routes. These routes are paths where the tourist can enjoy the delights of the seaside and the religious, ecological and agricultural tourism. The dynamic economy in Vitória allows events and business tourism, as well as nautical and culinary tourism, with several restaurants where the specialty is the moqueca capixaba (fish stew).
Some of the main routes are:
Sun and Moqueca Route
Beautiful beaches, folk and religious traditions and a unique culinary make the Sun and Moqueca Route one of the most famous and sought for in Espírito Santo. This route gathers great features for people who like nautical, religious and historical tourism, and those who love seafood.
Coast and Immigration Route
The paths and the history of German and Italian immigrants are present on this route.
Marble and Granite Route
The economical potential of decorative stones from Espírito Santo is attractive for national and international entrepreneurs.
Caparaó Route
For the ones who like adventure, ecological and agricultural tourism, the way to go is the Caparaó Route, a natural wonder right before your eyes.
National and State Parks and Reserves are areas for nature conservancy, in order to protect relevant ecosystems and beautiful landscapes, where scientific research, educational and environmental activities are carried out, as well as leisure activities and ecological tourism.
Considered one of the cities with largest urban green space per capita, Vitória has several urban and natural parks, with appropriate facilities to welcome visitors: hiking trails, sports courts, playgrounds, woods and environmental education places.
The coast of Espírito Santo is 470 kilometers (290 miles) long, with gentle breezes, so that the tourist can choose the beach the way he/she likes. Within 30 kilometers (18 miles), there are 30 beaches in the Greater Vitória region.
The coast of Espírito Santo is rocky at the south, with blue and crystal-clear waters and sandstone cliffs. The central part has hills and granite outcrops near the seaside. The south-central part has several coves and bays. The north part is sandy with ground vegetation and great sand dunes, mainly in Itaúnas and Conceição da Barra. The northern beaches are wider, close to the open ocean, with warm waters. There are several types of beaches, ranging from small calm coves to big beaches with facilities for beach and nautical sports, such as windsurfing and kite surfing.
The cuisine in Espírito Santo is special when compared to other typical
foods in Brazil. The typical dishes in Vitória, as well as in other cities in Espírito Santo, are the result of a cultural blend from
European immigrants, Indians and Africans. Cultural heritage and fishing traditions led to dishes which are only found here, like the Torta Capixaba (seafood salt cake) and the Moqueca Capixaba (fish stew). Bars and restaurants are assessed by a certificate to prove their excellence and quality of services for local people and visitors.
The state also has several cultural events and spots, like congo (folk dance), craftwork, theaters, museums, libraries and cultural areas to promote the culture
The capital city, Vitória
Two of the four campuses of UFES – Goiabeiras e Maruípe – are located in the capital of Espírito Santo, Vitória, and they are integrated into the city landscape. The city, founded in 1551, is located on a charming island in Vitória Bay and is famous for the quality of life of its inhabitants.
The city is known for its natural wonders, traditional cultural groups and
its remarkable growth (Vitória grows at a higher rate when compared to other Brazilian cities), and became an important travel destination. There are several areas suitable for events and businesses, nautical sports included.
The visitor is welcomed like a friend who comes back home, with a hospitality that is typical from the inhabitants of the city. In Vitória the tourist can find retail centers and services with quality. There are modern hotels and convention centers, and also bars and restaurants.
