Cananéia
Cananéia | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Cananéia | |
Aerial view of Ariri Mother Church Historic Center Stone House Mandira Quilombola Community Beach at the Ilha do Cardoso | |
Location in São Paulo | |
| Coordinates: 25°00′53″S 47°55′36″W / 25.01472°S 47.92667°W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Southeast |
| State | São Paulo |
| Founded | 12 August 1531 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gabriel Guimarães (GUIMA) (PV) |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,242.010 km2 (479.543 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,541 |
| • Density | 11.4/km2 (30/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (BRT) |
| HDI (2010) | 0.720 – high |
| Website | Official website |
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Cananéia is the southernmost city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, near where the Tordesilhas Line passed. The population in 2020 was 12,541 and its area is 1,242.010 km². The elevation is 8 m. The city of Cananéia is host to the Dr. João de Paiva Carvalho research base belonging to the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo.
Cananéia is considered by some Portuguese and Spanish historians to be the oldest city in Brazil, five months before the founding of São Vicente, but due to the lack of official documentation proving this fact, São Vicente is officially the oldest city in Brazil. The Historic Center of Cananéia, listed by CONDEPHAAT, still preserves the architectural styles adopted by the first houses and churches from the colonial period until the end of the 19th century. The beaches also attract thousands of people in high season, and Ilha do Cardoso has several trails and waterfalls, as well as several archaeological sites. Festivals, cuisine and handicrafts are also attractions apart from the city, whose main sources of income are fishing and tourism.
Due to its natural beauty and rich ecosystem, it is listed as a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO.