Santa Leopoldina, Espírito Santo
Encyclopedia
Santa Leopoldina is the name of a municipality and its capital in central Espírito Santo
, Brazil
. Its population was 13,303 (2005) and its area is 716.44 km². It is 16 meters above sea level, and is located 44km from the state capital of Vitória.
immigrants who came up the Santa Maria River, closely followed in 1857 by roughly 200 immigrants from Germany
and Luxembourg
. The old extended version of the name, "Cachoeiro de Santa Leopoldina", was given in 1860 by the emperor Pedro II
, in honour of his mother Maria Leopoldina, Archduchess of Austria.
During the 19th century the town was, for a period, the biggest commercial centre of the state, but its influence declined after the arrival of roads which took traffic away from the river
, which was then the town's biggest advantage. Santa Maria River was navigable right through to the Atlantic from this point.
The first highway (rodovia) in the state was built between Santa Leopoldina and Santa Teresa
and was completed in 1918, which was extended to Vitória in 1924. Cashoiero de Santa Leopoldina first became a municipality in 1887 and dropped "Cachoeiro de" (Portuguese for waterfall
of) from its name in 1943.
In 1890 Santa Teresa separated from Santa Leopoldina, and in 1988 Santa Maria de Jetibá
also separated, leaving a much smaller area under its power.
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Its population was 13,303 (2005) and its area is 716.44 km². It is 16 meters above sea level, and is located 44km from the state capital of Vitória.
History
Santa Leopoldina was founded in 1856 by around 60 SwissSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
immigrants who came up the Santa Maria River, closely followed in 1857 by roughly 200 immigrants from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
. The old extended version of the name, "Cachoeiro de Santa Leopoldina", was given in 1860 by the emperor Pedro II
Pedro II of Brazil
Dom Pedro II , nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of...
, in honour of his mother Maria Leopoldina, Archduchess of Austria.
During the 19th century the town was, for a period, the biggest commercial centre of the state, but its influence declined after the arrival of roads which took traffic away from the river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
, which was then the town's biggest advantage. Santa Maria River was navigable right through to the Atlantic from this point.
The first highway (rodovia) in the state was built between Santa Leopoldina and Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo
Santa Teresa is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Its population was 21,109 and its area is 695 km².-Residents:Anderson Varejão of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers is originally from Santa Teresa.-References:...
and was completed in 1918, which was extended to Vitória in 1924. Cashoiero de Santa Leopoldina first became a municipality in 1887 and dropped "Cachoeiro de" (Portuguese for waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
of) from its name in 1943.
In 1890 Santa Teresa separated from Santa Leopoldina, and in 1988 Santa Maria de Jetibá
Santa Maria de Jetibá, Espírito Santo
Santa Maria de Jetibá is the name of a municipality and of its capital in central Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. It was founded in 1857 by Pomeranian immigrants who arrived through the state capital Vitória by going up the river Santa Maria.-Geography:...
also separated, leaving a much smaller area under its power.