When colonisation started, it was occupied by Europeans looking for exploration and trading of tropical products. The local activities were hunting, fishing and small-scale cultivation. Geographically it consists of a privileged seacoast with a big bay and hundreds of islands, which later became a strategic point for trading between South America, Europe and Africa. In XVII century it was constantly visited by pirates. In XIX century it reached a peak due to the growth of coffee production, the Villa Historica de Mambucaba being a clear example of this expansion. Then with the abolition of slavery and the advent of railway construction, the village decayed, as it was no longer possible to transport large quantities of cargo between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. At present Angra dos Reis offers a rich architecture with houses dating from XVII and XVIII centuries, many old churches and sacred art museums. These are 365 islands and more than 2,000 beaches among abundant vegetation and the deep blue sea. Some beaches are more popular than others. To many, going around this place means choosing a boat and going to see the islands, although the city also offers wonderful places.