João Pessoa

Filipéia de Nossa Senhora das Neves, later renamed João Pessoa and transformed into the capital of the state of Paraíba, was founded in 1585 at the mouth of the Paraíba river. It was chosen by the Portuguese as the site for São Felipe fort, the aim of which was to resist the French invasions of the region. One of the oldest cities in Brazil, its Historic Centre includes churches, palaces, houses and other buildings from the colonial and imperial past. There is the Casa de Pólvora, a former powder magazine which supplied troops fighting the invaders; the Convent of Santo Antonio and the church of São Francisco, forming the "baroque area", construction of which commenced in 1589 and took almost 200 years to complete; and the Monastery, considered important for the beauty of its facade, which includes sculptures, decorated tiles and wood carvings, reflecting the influence of indigenous art.

João Pessoa is a coastal city, and most of its beaches are in its outlying districts. Among them are Tambaú, 7 kilometres from the city centre, comprising one of the most famous postcard views with the beauty of the scene and the jangadas on the sea; Penha, only two kilometres away, a small fishing village; and, a little further out at 48 kilometres, Tambaba, the only beach in the North East of Brazil devoted entirely to naturalism. 14 kilometres from the centre of the city is the most easterly point of the South American continent, Ponta do Seixas, where the dawn light first strikes Brazil. Nearby is Cabo Branco, a popular beach for the beauty of its 50 metre high cliffs and the fort of the same name.