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Presentation

Jota Freitas

With its unique characteristics, Bahia stands out on the Brazilian national scene for its history, traditions and culture, all of which have helped it gain notoriety as one of the Brazilian states that has most contributed to the development of Brazil as a nation. Bahia is the birthplace of Brazil. The state owes the wealth and diversity of its cultural heritage to the mixing of people from different ethnic groups, which dates back to Brazil's early colonization period. With breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes and blessed by gods and African deities known as orixás, Bahia has always had a profound impact on those who visit, especially for the charm and friendliness of the Bahian people, who face life joyfully as if in a never-ending state of celebration. The melting pot of races and cultures in Bahia has led to a Powerful mixing of religions, known in academic circles as syncretism, which is borne out by the state's multiplicity of belief systems, creeds and houses of worship. This is also why the calendar of popular celebrations is filled with festivals where elements of Catholic and African pre-Christian origins have merged in a manner that is truly Bahian.

Bahian spirituality and unique cultural identity awaken in visitors' collective unconscious the desire to experience the “Land of Happiness,” as the State of Bahia is affectionately known. Additionally, Bahia's historic and cultural heritage is of such depth and importance that Salvador's colonial city, popularly known as the Pelourinho, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The state's cultural manifestations, including its folklore, traditions, music, crafts, cuisine, wisdom, popular festivals, etc. reinforce its cultural identity. Bahia's natural environment is rich in scenic beauty thanks to its extraordinary biodiversity. The beaches are tropical, bathed by calm, crystal-clear waters. Visitors are seduced by the carefree nature, hospitality and upbeat energy, characteristic of the particular joie de vivre of the Bahian people, inhabitants of a land blessed by all the saints.

The State of Bahia has always been at the vanguard of artistic movements in the fields of music, art, literature and dance, making it one of the most important culture development centers in Brazil.

The state also stands out in the economic arena. The rational use of the Bahia's potential has helped it gain ground with regard to the Brazilian economy as a whole, especially after the early 1990s. Bahia currently has the largest Gross State Product (GSP) in the Brazilian Northeast, and the sixth in the country. The expansion of the state economy over the last two years has been so significant that it has given rise to expectations that Bahia is entering a new cycle of sustained growth. This has come about thanks to the development model that has been orienting a wide range of governmental interventions, especially the rational use of the state's natural potential and competitive advantages and the focusing of public investments on the implementation and improvement of Bahia's economic and social infrastructure in several regions. These initiatives have led to the development of a stable macro institutional environment, which has made Bahia more attractive to new investments.