Barra Velha

Infobox City
official_name = Barra Velha

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image_caption = View of Lake from Summit
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_type2 = State
subdivision_name = flagicon|BRA Brazil
subdivision_name1 = Southern
subdivision_name2 = flagicon|Santa Catarina Santa Catarina
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Valter Marino Zimmerman
political_party = PFL
area_note =
area_total_km2 = 142.4
area_total_sq_mi = 55.625
population = 18,200
data_pop = est. 2007
population_total = 18200
population_density_km2 = 127.8
timezone = UTC-3
utc_offset = -3
timezone_DST = UTC-2
utc_offset_DST = -2
elevation_m = 2
latd = 26
latm = 36
lats = 56
latNS = S
longd = 48
longm = 41
longs = 05
longEW = W
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = December 7 , 1961
footnotes =
blank_name = HDI (2000)
blank_info = 0.792
website = [http://www.barravelha.sc.gov.br www.barravelha.sc.gov.br] |

Barra Velha is a resort town and county seat of about 20,000 inhabitants in the Southern region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Its nine beaches extend from the Rio Itapocu in the North to the resort town of Piçarras on its Southern border. Additionally, it is the only resort in the area to have a freshwater lake separated from the ocean by an old sand bar, from which it derives its name.

Located between Joinville and Itajaí on BR-101, the principal North-South highway in Southern Brazil, it is an important resort destination for residents of the industrial region to the North and West of the State, with summer weekend population exceeding 100,000.

Settled initially by Azorian whale fishermen in 1812, it retains its fishing village characteristics with boats drawn up onto the beach and the daily catch sold directly from them by the fishermen every morning. In the center of downtown a hill rises sharply from the beach which provides a spectacular view of the lake and town center. A replica of the famous statute of Christ on Corcovado rises from the summit.

Barra Velha is home of the annual "Festa Nacional do Pirão", a festival celebrating the Azorian dish "Pirão" having a sauce-like consistency and normally made from fish or shellfish. Held in early September, it attracts over 30,000 visitors annually.

External links

* [http://www.prefeituramunicipal.com.br/barravelha/ Barra Velha Municipality Website]
* [http://www.explorevale.com.br/costadosol/barravelha/ Vale Do Sol Website for Barra Velha]
* [http://www.belasantacatarina.com.br/barravelha/ Santa Catarina Website for Barra Velha]