Santa Catarina (state)

Santa Catarina is a special place in the southern part of Brazil, a huge country in South America. It's like a puzzle piece tucked between other Brazilian states and the big, blue Atlantic Ocean. To its north is Paraná, and to its south is Rio Grande do Sul.

On the west side, it even shares a border with a country called Argentina! It's a place with lots of hills and mountains, where more than half of the land is higher than a tall building.

This state is like a giant playground with different kinds of weather. Near the ocean, it's warm and cozy, but as you go up into the mountains, it gets cooler, like a crisp autumn day. It's not a super-duper big state, about the size of Hungary in Europe, and it's the seventh smallest in Brazil.

But it's packed with people! Over 7 million people call Santa Catarina home, living in 295 towns and cities.

Long, long ago, native people lived here. Then, people came from far away, like Portugal, Italy, and Germany, bringing their own traditions and foods. They also brought music and dances that are still enjoyed today! Everyone who came here helped make Santa Catarina a unique and vibrant place. The capital city is called Florianópolis, which is an island city, and it's super pretty!

Guess what? Santa Catarina is one of the safest places in all of Brazil! People here live longer, and fewer people are poor or can't read. It's like a place where everyone gets a good chance to learn and be healthy. They also have a lot of good jobs, making it a happy and successful state for everyone who lives there.