 |
Three hundred and sixty five days of sunshine and an average annual temperature of 26º C make Rio Grande do Norte a highly privileged state. This is not only on account of its natural features such as beautiful beaches and dunes along its 400 kilometre coastline, but also because its air is the purest in the whole of Latin America, according to reports by NASA and the National Space Research Institute (INPE) from investigations completed in 1992. |
| Despite its many attractions, tourism only really developed in Rio Grande do Norte during the 1980s, with the construction in the state capital, Natal, of the Via Costeira, an eight kilometre avenue running along the coast where the city's main hotels and restaurants are situated. Since then the Government has been investing in the tourist industry, improving the infrastructure and conserving the natural heritage. One of the main steps was the establishing of the Dunes State Park for the preservation of the series of sand dunes that surround the capital. Natal is the gateway to the state's beaches, many of which are semi wild, such as Pipa and Pirangi, whilst others, such as Genipabu, are more commercialized. |
 |
 |
The region was cleared by the French between 1535 and 1598 and it was not long before the Portuguese and Dutch began to dispute ownership of the area. As a result, settlement was slow and only really started in 1633 when the territory came under the control of the Dutch who started to develop the production of salt, sugar-cane and beef cattle. Thanks to this, the state now accounts for 87% of the total production of Brazil's sea salt, with an installed capacity of around 5 million tons, only 42% of the production potential, calculated as being 12 million tons. |
|
In Rio Grande do Norte, oil production is also important. Extracting a daily average of 100,000 barrels, the state is in second place nationally in terms of marine extraction, losing only to the town of Campos in Rio de Janeiro. The majority of oil wells and the largest salt-pans are situated in the state's second largest city, Mossoró, about 80 kilometres from Natal. Mossoró is
also the capital of the irrigated fruit-growing industry, supplying more
than 70% of the national market for melons. The state is also nationally
famous for its plantations of other tropical fruits such as mango and
cashew. |
|
|
Pirangi do Norte is situated in Parnamirim, a city on which artisan lace production is centred. With great patience and speed, the lace-makers interweave fine cotton threads to produce tablecloths, bedspreads and clothing. As well as this, the visitor to Parnamirim cannot miss the Barreira do Inferno, the first rocket-launching base in Latin America. |
|
There is no such
thing as the best season in which to visit Rio Grande do Norte because
it is summertime all year round. Going south from Natal beaches soon appear
one after the other. The first one is Pium, 18 kilometres from the capital.
A little further on is Cotovelo where the locals tell tales of mysterious
apparitions. Grottoes and labyrinths inspire superstitions involving the
ghosts of princes and princesses that roam about at night pleading for
help. Three kilometres further on are the beaches of Pirangi do Sul and
Pirangi do Norte, the site of the world's largest cashew tree. Travelling towards the north, separated from Natal by the River Potengi, the town of Extremoz and its beaches are like the main picture postcards of the state rolled into one. Here the beaches of Redinha and Genipabu with their shifting dunes, warm, clear water, lakes and coconut groves attract both Brazilian and foreign tourists all year round. Buggy rides along
the vast white sands are the highlight of the beaches at Extremoz. At
Genipabu there is even a right and a wrong side so as to avoid accidents
on the dunes. Safety is guaranteed by the drivers who are all registered
with the Empresa de Promoção de Turismo do Rio Grande do
Norte (Emproturn), the local tourism promoter.
|
It
was a cashew tree that enabled the state to feature in the Guinness Book
of Records. The 92 year-old tree is to be found on the beach at Pirangi
do Norte, 24 kilometres from Natal, and is the world's largest cashew
tree with a circumference of 500 metres, occupying an area of 7,300 m2.
Its branches are equivalent to 70 cashew trees yet it is just one single
tree. 
Continuing
along an old and narrow road 80 kilometres from the capital is the beach
of Pipa, the wildest of all the beaches that still retains a natural charm
that attracts those who want to get away from big city bustle. Here there
are communities of "ex stressed-out" city-dwellers consisting of Germans,
Argentinians and Brazilians, amongst others. 
Known
as the sun capital, Natal is the gateway to some of Brazil's most beautiful
beaches, such as those of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, in the
state of Pernambuco, and a succession of beaches that stretch north and
south of the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. But that is
not all. Founded in 1599, the historical district of the city has preserved
buildings that date from the time of its colonization. Washed by the River
Potengi and the Atlantic Ocean, it formed a strategic bridge for the invasion
of Brazil by the French, Portuguese and Dutch. More recently, during the
Second World War, it served as a base for American troops and was also
known as the "Trampoline of Victory". That aspect is also reflected in
the city of Natal. 
Before
going out in search of the sun on the beaches, dunes and coconut groves
that stretch the length of the coastline of Rio Grande do Norte, it is
well worth visiting a few monuments in order to get a better understanding
of this region that was so fiercely fought over by the Europeans. The
point of departure could be the Fortaleza dos Reis Magos (Three Kings'
Fortress) where the city had its origins. Surrounded by a star-shaped
wall, it was built by the Portuguese between 1598 and 1628 to defend Natal
from the Dutch invasion. Another construction dating from that period
is the ancient Metropolitan Cathedral that was inaugurated in 1599 and
recently restored. The Albert Maranhão Theatre built in 1898 and
registered by the state Historical Heritage, is an example of architecture
from the colonial era, together with the church of St. Anthony, built
in the eighteenth century. 
As
well as historical tours, Natal offers the visitor walks along its beaches,
some of which are extremely popular, especially amongst surfers. The main
beaches are Forte, Meio, Artistas and Areia Preta. At the southern end
of the Via Costeira, built to promote tourism in the state, is the beach
of Ponta Negra from which may be glimpsed the hill of Careca, an enormous
sand dune that rises almost vertically. Climbing it by digging ones feet
into the soft sand, can be an enjoyable pastime. 
Capital
Natal Area 53,306.8 km2 Towns 166 Location North-east of the North-East
Region Population 2,654,501 inhabitants Population in the Capital 688,955
inhabitants Climate Tropical e semi-arid Mean Annual Temperature (capital)
26º C Time in Relation to Brasília The same Density of Population
49.8 inhabitants/km2 Urbanization Index 69.10 Infant Mortality 63.2 per
thousand live-born Illiteracy Rate 27.1 Contribution to GDP 0.83% Representation
at National Congress 11 Members of Parliament Vegetation Swamps along
the coast and a strip of tropical rain forest and savanna to the west
Tourist Information Secretaria de Estado do Turismo do Rio Grande do Norte
- Setur Tel: (84) 211-0023 Fax: (84) 211-1816 Av. Afonso Pena 1155, Tirol
59020-100 Natal - RN