Economy
The industrial sector is the largest component of GDP at 52.5%, followed by the service sector at 33.9%. Agriculture represents 13.6% of GDP (2004). Santa Catarina exports: aviculture 26.1%, wood products 15.4%, compressors 8.5%, cotton 6.8%, and vehicles 5.8% (2002).
Share of the Brazilian economy: 4% (2005).
Santa Catarina has one of the highest standards of living in Brazil, and is a major industrial and agricultural center.
The capital city, Florianópolis, has a diversified economy, being an important pole for the technology industry and a major touristic destination. Commerce and services are also very strong in the capital. Cities from Florianópolis metro area, like São José, Palhoça and Biguaçu are important and diverse industrial poles, as well as strong commerce areas.
In the northeast of the state, electric-mechanical, textile and furniture industries are strong; in the west, cattle and poultry breeding predominate, while in the south it is ceramics and shellfish.
The corridor between Joinville, Jaraguá do Sul and Blumenau is heavily industrialized - more than 50% of the state's industrial output is concentrated in this small, but highly developed area.
Santa Catarina has some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil - Summer months (Dec-Mar) make the state one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Brazil and South America. Tens of thousands of Argentines and Paraguayans flock to the state's beaches from mid December to late January.
The major cities and their respective fields are:
- Florianópolis, technology; tourism; services; commerce; government; education.
- Joinville, metal-mechanic; tourism/events; software development; commerce; plastic; textile; chemist.
- Blumenau, textile; software; commerce and beer.
- São José, industry; commerce and services.
- Criciúma, ceramics.
- Chapecó, cattle and poultry breeding.
- Lages tourism and wood industry.
- Itajai, seaport.
- Jaraguá do Sul, electric motors and textile.
- Palhoça, industry.
- Balneário Camboriú tourism; commerce.
- Tubarão.
- Brusque, textile.
- Rio Negrinho, furniture.
- Caçador, furniture; metal-mechanics; agribusiness.
Read more about this topic: Santa Catarina (state)
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