Joinville in Brazil

The state's largest city lies 2 km from the main coastal highway (BR-101), within a two-hour drive of Curitiba and Florianópolis. Joinville is known as the 'city of the princes' for its historical connections with royalty. It is also nicknamed the 'city of flowers', and even 'Manchester Catarinense'. The large German population gives it a distinctly European feel, and the city is well-ordered, attractively maintained and easy to navigate on foot.

The Museu Arqueológico do Sambaqui, has a collection dating back to 5000 BC, with an exhibition devoted to the life of the indigenous people who built the sambaqui shell mounds along the south coast of Brazil. There are also two archaeological reserves: Sambaqui do Rio Comprido, carbon dated to 2865 BC, and Sambaqui Morro do Ouro.

The Alameda Brustlein, better known as the Rua das Palmeiras, is an impressive avenue of palm trees, leading to the Palácio dos Príncipes. The trees were planted in 1873 by Frederico Brustlein with seeds brought in 1867 by Louis Niemeyer. The railway station, dates from 1906 and is a fine example of the German style of architecture; the Mercado MunicipaliPraça Hercílio Luz, is in the enxaimel style. At the other end of the spectrum, the cathedral, on Avenida Juscelino Kubitscheck at Rua do Príncipe, is futuristic with spectacular windows recounting the story of man. The Cemitério dos Imigrantes, is interesting; the attached Casa da Memória do Imigrante has information on the town's history, with audiovisual and documentary displays.

The Parque Zoobotânico, is a good zoo and park, with many local species of birds and animals and a children's park. From here it is 25 minutes' walk to the Mirante for a beautiful view of the town and the bay. The tower on the top is at an altitude of 250 m and you can walk up a spiral staircase on the outside for a panoramic view. An orchid farm is open to the public for sales or just to look around.

At Expoville, 4 km from the centre on BR-101 (continuation of 15 de Novembro), is an exhibition of Joinville's industry, although it is used for many other exhibitions and festivals as well. The new, multi-functional Centreventos Cau Hansen has been built to house sporting activities, shows, festivals, conferences and other events. It is home to the first Bolshoi Ballet School outside of Moscow. The tiled mural around the entrance, by Juarez Machado, depicts a circus. There are some 600 industries in the manufacturing park, many of which are substantial exporters.