Joao Pessoa

In 1534, King John III of Portugal divided the colony into hereditary captaincies, with Paraíba being subordinated to the Captaincy of Itamaracá, extending from the Guaju River to the Goiana River. The Captaincy of Paraíba was created only in 1574, after the attack on Tracunhaém, a sugar mill in the Captaincy of Itamaracá. However, the new captaincy would only be effectively occupied eleven years later, after five expeditions attempted to conquer it, the first four of which ended in failure. To repel invaders, on May 1, 1584, the Fort of São Filipe was built on the left bank of the Paraíba River, on land that today belongs to the district of Forte Velho, in Santa Rita, an area inhabited by the Potiguara Indigenous people. The fort, however, suffered constant attacks from French corsairs and the Potiguaras and was abandoned less than a year later, being set on fire in June 1585. …

João Pessoa has 20 kilometres (12 mi) of beachfront. João Pessoa has many green areas distributed among its avenues, parks, and residential neighborhoods, supporting its claim as "the second greenest city in the world" with more than 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) of forested land, second only to Paris. This claim is a matter of conjecture, however, originating from a publicity stunt carried out by the city's mayor during an Earth Summit. The city has a Benjamin Maranhão Botanical Garden, which preserves the Atlantic forest, the animals, and opens the visitation, which is the João Pessoa Botanical Garden, considered one of the largest remains of the natural Atlantic Forest in an urban area of Brazil. It is an excellent opportunity for people to be in contact with pure and crystalline nature. …

The Historic Center of João Pessoa, recognized as National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage in December 2007, covers areas in the neighborhoods of the center, Róger, Jaguaribe, Tambiá and Varadouro. There are listed 37 hectares in area and estimated around 700 buildings, in addition to streets, squares and historic parks that integrate this set, comprising most of the neighborhoods of Varadouro and the Center of the city. Its buildings make up a scenario of different styles and eras full of townhouses, squares, colonial houses and secular churches, being considered the main architectural collection of Paraíba, reporting the various phases of local history, and one of the largest and most important historical sites in Brazil. …

João Pessoa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was R$ 14,841,805 as of 2010. The city's per capita income was R$ 19,284 as of 2010.

Picãozinho: One of the city's most significant sights is the São Reef Formation, located about 1,500 metres (5,000 ft) from Tambaú Beach on the coast of João Pessoa. Natural Pools of Seixas Beach: The Seixas Natural Pools, where hundreds of species of fish, seaweed, reptiles (sea turtles), mollusks, crustaceans and other marine organisms are found. Penha Beach: This traditional beach's name derives from the symbol of one of the great religious events in Brazil: the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha. For more than 250 years, thousands of faithful have been accompanying the Penha Procession through the streets of João Pessoa. Manaira Beach: Joao Pessoa's most economically developed neighborhood. Its sidewalks are commonly used for physical activities and are well frequented by tourists and locals. Beach Tambaú: The sands of Praia de Tambaú are one of the busiest in Joao Pessoa. …

Joao Pessoa is served by Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport. The João Pessoa Urban Trains System is operated by diesel components on one railway line with a 30 km extension spanning four municipalities, João Pessoa, Cabedelo, Bayeux and Santa Rita, constituted by the Cabedelo stretch, with 10 stations in operation, carrying around 10,100 passengers a day. Composed of three locomotives and 17 passenger cars, the trains form two compositions that conduct 28 trips a day.