It is surrounded by smaller islands with forts which protected importing and exporting ships in the 1600's when Brazil was being colonized. The majority of the island's population lives on the northern half with the southern half being very isolated and exotic. Though still settled by the Portuguese, as was the rest of Brazil, it has a heavy German and Italian influence. Florianopolis is also a melting pot for South American tourism with its convenient location and beautiful white sand beaches.