Balneário de Camboriú (Brazil)

Balneário Camboriú (Portuguese pronunciation: [bawneˈaɾju kɐ̃boɾiˈu]) is a coastal city in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. The city is built on steep hills which drop down to the sea. It is a popular tourist destination for South Americans, who are drawn to its main ocean boulevard Avenida Atlântica (Atlantic Avenue), and who swell the city's population from 139,155 (2022 Census) to over one million in the summer. The city is famous for its unique beach-to-beach cable car which links its central beach with the beach of Laranjeiras. Balneário Camboriú is located 10 km (6.2 mi) south of the city of Itajaí, 96 km (60 mi) south of the city of Joinville, and 80 km (50 mi) north of the state capital, Florianópolis. The city is served by Ministro Victor Konder International Airport located in the adjoining municipality of Navegantes. The original meaning of the city's name is unknown. According to the city's archives, it is "River filled with Snook (Robalo)", which is a very common type of fish in this region. Ilha das Cabras (Goats' Island) is directly opposite the city and is too small for habitation but it is lit at night. Visitors to nearby Laranjeiras Beach can sail there aboard 17th century-style pirate ships, going around Ilha das Cabras before returning to Balneário Camboriú. The city also has a statue similar to Rio de Janeiro's Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). Standing atop the Morro da Cruz, Cristo Luz (Christ Light) portrays Jesus holding a circular "broad-brimmed hat" at his left shoulder, symbolizing the sun, and which houses a spotlight that shines out over the city. The Cristo Luz at 33 meters tall is only five meters shorter than the Redeemer and colorful lights both within and without the statue give it nighttime illumination. Another common sight in the city are paragliders over the beach, alongside the tall buildings, from the gliderport in Praia dos Amores. To the west the city is bordered by the Camboriú River, which joins the ocean at the southern edge of the center of the city, where the cable car (teleférico) rises from the central beach. The city has been called the "Brazilian Dubai", due to its high number of skyscrapers and affluent tourists.