BRANCO, CAPE

Portuguese Cabo Branco, cape on the Atlantic coast of Paraba state, eastern Brazil, that forms the easternmost point of the South American continent. Located 5 mi (8 km) southeast of Joo Pessoa, the state capital, in a zone of abundant rainfall, Cape Branco has beautiful white sand beaches bordered by flat-topped, mesa-like forms of sedimentary strata called taboleiros, which rise sharply above the beaches to heights between 150 and 500 ft (45 m and 150 m). Cape Branco is on the coastal highway connecting Joo Pessoa and the port of Cabedelo farther north.