Natal-Rio Grande do Norte

Natal was founded on the shores of the Potengi river. In December, 1597 a Portuguese fleet arrived at the Potengi river to found a new city and build a fortress to protect the Portuguese colonists from the French ones who were in possession of that coastline at the time. The works on the fortress construction were finished in 1598, and nowadays the fortress is one of the most popular tourist spots in Brazil. On December,25 1599 a small village was founded a mile away from the fortress. The village was proclaimed to be called Natal or "Christmas" in English. All because of the Catholic Christmas Day on which the village was founded. Natal has an excellent infrastructure for hosting tourists. There´s a whole chain of first class hotels and resorts, small but cozy inns to stay in. Ponta Negra is one of the most popular beaches in Natal. Gorgeous beaches , dunes and beautiful weather are among the city´s attractions.

The city of the sun, Natal and the Rio Grande do Norte Coastline offer their visitors beautiful and picturesque beaches. The urban coastline in Natal includes 6 beaches: Ponta Negra, Areia Preta, Praia dos Artistas, Praia do Meio, Praia do Forte, and Redinha. In 1598 the Portuguese settlers built the Fortress of Three Wise Kings at Praia do Forte beach.It is nowadays considered the main historical monument in town; it was near the Fortress that the City of Natal was founded.

Location - Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is located in the North-East of Brazil.

Details about Natal.

Geographical coordinates -Lat : 07o47'42 S.

-Lon : 35o12'34"W.

Natal has a modern airport that receives international flights from Europe and the US.

Time zone: 1 hour earlier in relation to the official hour of Brazil (GMT -03:00)

Infrastrucure: The city has a well-organized tourist business system and accomodation of all types.