Xixová-Japuí State Park, State park and nature reserve in São Vicente, Brazil.
Xixová-Japuí State Park covers 901 hectares split between Praia Grande (554 ha) and São Vicente (347 ha), with 600 ha of land and 301 ha of marine area. It protects dense submontane and lowland Atlantic Forest, restinga, rocky shores and three beaches, plus traces of an old tannery and a quarry.
The first European settlement in the area dates to 1510, and São Vicente, just north of the park, was founded on 22 January 1532 as the first vila in Brazil. From 1845 the port of Santos grew with the coffee trade, and banana plantations, fruit orchards and a tannery using mangrove tannin were established. The Fortaleza de Itaipu was begun in 1902, and the park was created by decree 37.536 of 27 September 1993.
The park's name comes from Tupi: xixová means "pointed hill" and japuí "large hill that shows the river or port entrance", referring to its two main hills. The old tannery and a quarry remain as traces of past occupation. Paranapuã beach has been occupied by indigenous people since 2004.
Visitors should arrange visits in advance since the area has limited access points and requires prior arrangement. Exploring during daytime is recommended for better visibility of trails and coastal features.
The park's name comes from the Tupi words for its two main hills: xixová means "pointed hill" and japuí "large hill that shows the entrance to the river or port", per the Instituto Histórico e Geográfico de São Vicente. Traces of past occupation remain, including the old tannery and a quarry.
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