Espiritu Santo

Espírito Santo is a combination of mountains and beaches and also one of the smallest states in Brazil with a population of only 2.6 million. Though strategically it's very important with Minas Gerais’ as its main outlet to the sea. Its capital Vitória is known for its iron ore export, which is bigger than any other port in the world.

Espírito Santo is for many people famous for its beaches. The coastline is one long beach, some 400 kilometers. During weekend and holidays many people go there, especially south of Vitória in the large resort town of Guarapari. The best beaches, however, lie on the strip of coastline 50 kilometers south of Guarapari.

The hinterland of Vitória is not very popular with visitors, but is the best of the area. You'll be able to find spectacular nature here with a mix of forest, river valleys, mountains and granite hills. It's a very fertile area and since the end of the nineteenth century it has been colonized by Italians, Poles and Germans. Their descendants live in hillside homesteads and a number of small, very attractive country towns which combine a European feel and look with a thoroughly tropical landscape.

The best way to view the area is to go and visit the following towns: Santa Teresa, Santa Leopoldina, Santa Maria, Domingos Martins and Venda Nova. Venda Nova is home to the beautiful sight of Pedra Azul, a granite hill of almost 1000 meters high, which is one of f the least-known but most spectacular sights in the country.