Lages, Administrative center in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Lages is a municipality in the central highlands of Santa Catarina, set among rolling hills and valleys where pastures alternate with patches of native forest. The downtown streets run between low buildings and small squares, where local shops and markets anchor daily routines.
Settlers established the first camps on this plateau in 1766 as part of the Portuguese push into the southern interior. Cattle ranching and trade routes became the economic foundation of the region during the 19th century.
Rodeo events in Lages display the everyday skills of local cattle ranchers and horsemen, reflecting the deep ties between rural work and community life. Visitors watch competitions that bring together families and show how ranching shapes the character of the area.
Several highways lead to the center and connect the city to other towns across Santa Catarina, while regular bus lines organize regional traffic. Visitors find hotels and guesthouses near the main avenues, which also provide access to restaurants and shops.
The forests around the city shelter Araucaria trees with thick trunks and umbrella-shaped crowns, which once covered much of the highland. Local dishes use the seeds of these trees, gathered in winter and prepared in traditional ways.
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