The state of Bahia is located in the east of Brazil with a very long shore line of the Atlantic Ocean. With a total area of about 565,000 km², Bahia is almost as huge as France. It belongs to the 26 federal states of Brazil which all dispose of a relatively autonomous government. The seat of Bahia's government is in the capital Salvador. The current Governor is Jacques Wagner, a trade unionist and member of the Workers’ Party (WP). Bahia has got the fourth-biggest population in the country: Nearly 14 million inhabtitans live there. Only the states Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro are more populous.
Vegetation and climate
The Atlantic Forest covers many areas of Bahia, especially in the northwest of the state with a enormously rainy and humid climate. In the lowlands export goods like sugar and tobacco are cultivated. From the north to the south the mountain chain Chapada Diamantina crosses the country. The mountains divide Bahia in two vegetation and climate zones. In the east the fertile soil combined with high temperatures allows agriculture. In the west the cerrado (English: "closed" or "inaccessible"), a large tropical savanna with a dry climate offers worse conditions for farmers. Yet the ecoregion is marked by a great range of plant biodiversity.
History
At the beginning of the 16th century, Portuguese sailors discovered the territory and claimed it for their crown. In 1549, the Kingdom founded the city of Salvador at the Bay of All Saints. At these times the oldest settlement and capital of Bahia was already the administrative centre for Portugal’s colonies in America. In 1823 Bahia joined as the last state the Brazilian confederation – it is seen as the hour of birth of Brazil’s independence.
As the Portuguese cultivated sugar there was an enormous need of working force. That is why many African slaves were brought to the country in order to work on the numerous plantations. Today there are still many descendants of the exploited slaves.
Economic situation
Nowadays the agricultural sector only contributes a tenth to the GDP of Bahia. The dominant class of business is the industrial sector which represents half of the economy of the state. The most important Bahian industry branches are footwear, textile, furniture, food and cosmetics. Due to the low labour costs the country exports many products to Europe. Also Cacao and bananas are shipped to the whole world. Beyond the industrial and agricultural products Bahia possesses mineral and petroleum deposits.
Tourism becomes more and more a considerable source of income for the state.
Tourism
The state of Bahia is highly frequented by tourists from all over the world. The voyagers are especially attracted by the cultural diversity and the beautiful landscape. Furthermore Bahia can be considered as a melting pot of different cultures (Europe, Africa, indigenous people) whose traditions converge in a impressive mix of popular festivities, food and architecture.
Salvador – almost every tourist books a trip to Bahia’s capital – belongs to UNESCO’s Patrimony of Humanity. With its 25 thousand beds, long beaches, bars and nightclubs, the city offers a perfect atmosphere for tourists who want to realx during their holidays.
Beaches
Praia do Forte is a small village at the coast with a shoreline of about 12 kilometres. The beach is easily accessible by the regional highway and very popular with divers and snorklers. Just a few steps away from the beach there are very beautiful riffs with rare fish.
The former fishing village Arembepe is situated 50 kilometres north of Salvador. This beach is a real insider tip for passionated sunbathers. The quiet domicile was a hippie paradise in the 1960s and visited by stars like Janis Choplin or Mick Jagger. Since there is hardly no swell, it is ideal for swimming. As Praio do Forte the beach is a natural reserve.
When tourists pass their vacation in Salvador, they will soon get to know the beach of Porto da Barra, the place of Bahia’s first European plant. Therefore it is named Vila Velha (Old Village). On weekends the beach is very crowded so that tourists should pay attention to their belongings. Not rarely tourists are attacked by youth gangs. The place is famous for its barracas, small cottages with an intergrated bar.
Excursions
A part from the beaches Bahia offers a lot of other attractions. For example a boat trip to the waterfall of Tremembe where adventurers can enjoy a bath in the wild drift.
People who prefer a trip to the rainforest should visit Ecoparque de Una, a protected reservation with special animals and plants like orchids in all variations. The trip usually starts in Canavieiras, 60 kilometres away from the park. After the arrival the trippers hike over paths and rope bridges – an unforgettable experience.
