ITANHAéM

Statistics
State:	São Paulo
Metropolitan Regions:	Baixada Santista
Founded:	April 22, 1532
Area:	599 km²
Population:	85,294 (2004)
Population density:	85,294/km²
Elevation:	sea level
Postal code:	11740-xxx
Area/distance code:	(00))55-Brazilian area code 13
Website:	[1]

'Itanhaém' is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2004 is 85,294, the density is 142.39/km² and the area is 599 km². The elevation is 0 m. This place name comes from the Tupi word ''-'', meaning the ''plate of rock''. Some other tupinologists (people who study the ancient language Tupi, spoken by the Indians back in the 16th century) think itanhaém means, ita = rock - and nhaém = that cries; due to the rocky coast and the waves that constantly hit it. Itanhaém was among the hottest tour destinations in the State of São Paulo, back at the end of the 70's. Located in the Southeastern Brazil, the region is surrounded by the tropical Atlantic Forest that shelters many tropical animals such as colorful birds named Saíra (many subspecies) and animals such as Onças (Brazilian Jaguars), Quatis and Saruês. Itanhaém has many beautiful beaches: Downtown beach (Centro or Boca da Barra), Fishermen's Beach (Praia dos Pescadores); Dream Beach (Praia do Sonho); Indians' Well Beach (Poço dos Índios), Peruíbe Beach (Praia do Peruíbe) and Seagull Beach (Praia do Gaivota). Other beaches are located in Peruíbe (20 km southwards) and in the Juréia Natural Reserve, the most preserved and biggest sanctuary of The Atlantic Forest in Brazil, sheltering endemic species such as the Purple Head Parrot or Papagaio da Cara Roxa as it is named in Brazilian Portuguese. The most important river in the region is located in Itanhaém (Itanhaém River) and its tributary streams such as the Black and the White rivers make sinuous paths into the forest towards the foot of the Sea Mountain Range where there are many, if not, hundreds of waterfalls. Itanhaém can be reached in 1 1/2 hours by car from the city of São Paulo (130,000 km²), the capital of the State of São Paulo.

Contents

Population history

Other

External links

Population history

Year	Population	Density
2003	79,980	133.52/km²
2004	85,294	142.39/km²

Other

Itanhaém has a schools or a collegiate, high schools, churches, banks and a few parks.
Itanhaém has several beaches and a large river the Rio Itanhaém. It is mainly a touristic
city with lots of second houses who are owned by people from São Paulo. Lately (2007) the city
is improving a lot. There are several new hotels and pousadas who are increasingly visited by
Brazilian tourist. The charming atmosphere of the old center is one of the strongest points of Itanhaém. The combination of beach, mountains, mangrove, river and forest makes it a interesting place to visit.

External links

★ Itanhaém Virtual

★ City Hall Official Site

★ citybrazil.com.br

★ Portal Nosso São Paulo

★ Pictures from Itanhaém, City - Beaches - Nature

	'North:' Juquitiba, São Paulo
'West:' Pedro de Toledo	'Itanhaém'	'East:' ''Atlantic Ocean'' and Mongaguá
	'South:' ''Atlantic Ocean'' and Peruíbe