Joinville, Industrial metropolis in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Joinville is a large city in Santa Catarina, Brazil, set between forested hills and São Francisco Bay. Several rivers cross the urban area and connect different neighborhoods, while green spaces lie between residential and industrial districts.
The settlement started in 1851 when German, Swiss, and Norwegian immigrants arrived on lands designated as dowry for Princess Francisca. During the 20th century, the colony grew into a major industrial center in southern Brazil.
The city takes its name from the Prince of Joinville, who enabled the colony's foundation through his marriage to Princess Francisca of Brazil. Today, half-timbered houses and numerous cultural societies reflect the European roots of many residents, especially visible in the historic center.
The center can be explored on foot, while other districts are reachable by local buses or taxi. Joinville-Lauro Carneiro de Loyola Airport sits roughly 13 kilometers from downtown and connects the city to larger destinations.
The city produces much of Brazil's refrigeration equipment and compressors, which are installed in household appliances worldwide. Despite its industry, it preserves numerous parks and green areas along river courses that reach into the center.
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