About Brazil
Brazil covers almost the half the continent and it is the fifth biggest
country in the world, after Russia, Canada, China, and the USA. Brazil is bordered
to the north, the west and on the south for all the South American countries
except Chile and Ecuador; eastwards it is the Atlantic Ocean. Officially Brazil
is known as the Republic Federativa do Brazil and it is also one of the most
populous countries in Latin America.Brazil consists approximately of 8,
514,876.599 square kilometres and its territory is between central South
America and the Atlantic Ocean. The population of Brazil is concentrated in the
most important cities of its coast as they are Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo.
Towns such as Salvador and João Pessoa preserve the colonial atmosphere of the
early Portuguese colonists.Brazil has been a Colony, an Empire and a Republic
and has been under the Military rule. It is today a democratic nation. Brasilia
is the capital of Brazil. It is a presidential representative democratic
republic according to the constitution of 1988. Brazil’s natural resources
include bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin,
uranium, petroleum, hydro power and timber.About 54% are mainly of European
origin, descendants of immigrants from Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany and
Eastern Europe. More than 45% are black or of mixed race, a legacy of the
African slave trade. Less than 1% is from indigenous groups, mostly Indians in
the Amazon region; smaller numbers of Japanese, other Asians, and Arabs live in
the larger Brazilian cities.Almost the half of the territory of Brazil is
covered by the Rio Amazon and its coarse ecological region or tropical jungle
bigger of the world. The principal characteristic of this region resides in
that most of its population is clearly agricultural.The richest regions in
Brazil are the Southeast areas. These areas are also more populated than any in
Brazil. This area has more inhabitants than any country in South America. It is
home to one of the largest megapolis in the entire world. Sao Paolo is the
business center of this area. Rio de Janeiro is famous for its beaches and the
Espirito Santo coast.Brazil's winter is from June to August, with temperatures
between 13 and 18C, but it only gets really cold south of Rio. Summer is from
December to February, a period frequently bringing stifling humidity to the far
south. Brief rain showers are common, given Brazil's tropical climate, but the
dry interior has only a few months of heavy rainfall a year. Of course, the
Amazon Basin is the wettest area, with damp, moist temperatures averaging 27 C.
Avenida Paulista (Paulista Avenue) is one of the most important avenues
in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is a wide avenue of 2.8 km in length, located in the
heart of downtown of Sao Paulo; it starts from Praça Oswaldo Cruz, on the edge
of the Paraíso district.The avenue is notable for the large number of financial
institutions, corporations, cultural centers such as Centro Cultural Itau, the
Viaduct of Tea (Viaduto do Cha), Casa das Rosas, the FIESP/CIESP, the famous
Teatro Brasileiro de Comedia, hospitals such as Hospital Alemao Osvaldo Cruz,
Paulistano, Clinicas, Emilio Ribas, Beneficencia Portuguesa, buildings such as
Center Tres, Conjunto Nacional, Winston Churchil, Gazeta.It is also an
extensive shopping area, Latin America's most comprehensive fine-art museum,
host of a lot of coffee shops, internet facilities, restaurants, shops, movie
theaters, etc., and a small native forest park, the Parque Siqueira Campos,
commonly called Trianon.The avenue is considered the largest financial
institution in the world, and a symbol of economic power of the State of Sao
Paulo. It is often compared to Fifth Avenue in New York, perhaps more because
of its financial, cultural and commercial status, although it is more spacious,
having two roads, with traffic going in opposite directions.At night the avenue
is a wonderful street to drive and see Sao Paulo's beautiful city lights. By
day, however, it is best explored on foot. Traffic along the avenue is intense
and crowded, the subway is the best way to get to Paulista Avenue, and
exploring on foot is an easy walk because it's not very long.The entire avenue
is well served with buses and a subway (efficient subway system) line (Green
Line) that runs underneath the avenue from one end to the other with several
stations.Every day, hundreds and hundreds of people come and go on their large
blocks to work. On the weekends, there is another crowd searching entertainment
and culture or just wishing to walk on the most loved Avenue in Sao Paulo.
Cabo de Santo Agostinho
Cabo de Santo Agostinho is a municipality of the
Brazilian state of Pernambuco. It has an area of 448.49 km². Cabo de Santo
Agostinho is part of the Metropolitan Region of Recife (MRR), wich comprehends
also the municipal districts of Recife, Olinda, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Abreu
e Lima, Paulista, Igarassu, Itapissuma, Itamaracá, Ipojuca, Camaragibe, São
Lourenço da Mata, Araçoiaba and Moreno.Cabo de Santo Agostinho offers to
visitors’ options of ecological reserves, mangroves and some of the most beautiful
beaches in Pernambuco, such as the beaches of Calhetas, Paraíso and Gaibu.
These beaches attract people looking for tranquility as well as those looking
for nautical sports.Besides the beaches, the historical monuments also attract
tourists to Cabo. Ancient sugarcane mills (in Portuguese called
"engenhos") are still operating in the city, some open to
visitations; special care is taken to preserve the History of such places.Some
of the historical buildings, one can visit the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
(Nossa Senhora de Nazaré Church) and the ruins of the Convento Carmelita
(Carmelita Convent), which dates back to late 16th century years, and the Forte
Castelo do Mar (Sea Castle Fortress), built in 1631 by the Portuguese utilizing
granite of the region, in an attempt to protect the area form the Dutch
invasors.Among the festivals of the city is Festa da Lavadeira which is
celebrated every year on May 1st at the beach Paiva. The festival is one of the
largest demonstrations of the culture of the people of Pernambuco. This event,
which began as a simple way of reunion of fishermen, today brings together
thousands of people on the beach Paiva.The festival of Ouriço is an event
typical of the region, based on religious superstition of fishermen in the area.
The Ouriço is also one of the typical dishes of the city.It has a warm climate,
beautiful beaches, natural pools, vegetation and rocks of the Atlantic, 9
beaches in its coast; the Cape of San Agustin is an unusual attraction for
tourists. Also you can enjoy sports such as fishing, diving, trekking,
abseiling and paragliding. All around the forest, a sea of white sand, and
crystal clear waters.
Rio Carnaval
The Carnaval de Rio de Janeiro (Carnival of Rio
Janeiro) is an annual celebration in Brazil. The main parade of Carnaval de Rio
is at the Sambodrome, a massive concrete stadium, built along Avenida Marques
de Sapucai front of a live audience of 70,000. The Carnaval is a four-day
celebration, happening from Saturday through Tuesday. It is usually in
February, sometimes in March.Carnaval focuses on the competition between the 12
samba schools, each with its own theme or argument representative. The lyrics,
the music itself, the costumes of the figurants, the papier-mâché figures and
paintings of the allegoric car, all must accord with the selected theme. The
themes may be very diverse: they can be a myth, a historical, present event, a
political or artistic personality, etc. Every school presentation is a result
of months of preparation.Each samba school is trying to win favor with the
spectators in a frenzy of singing and dancing. A panel of 40 judges at
strategic points along the carnival route qualifies the contestants on
everything from enthusiasm, fidelity to the theme, discipline and costume to
rhythm and dance. The classification defines not only celebrity, fame and joy for
the samba school, but also public money for their activities.
Casa das Rosas
Near the end of the Avenida Paulista (No. 37, close to underground
paradise), is the Casa das Rosas ("House of Roses"), it is one of the
few remaining early-20th-century buildings on the avenue, the imposing building
stands in a stark contrast with the towering skyscrapers of the Avenida
Paulista.The Casa das Rosas is a building of four storeys with an area of
2845sq.m. Its plants are divided into ground floor, attic, basement and first
floor. Its 30 rooms were built and furnished with high quality materials, most
of them imported from Europe.The entrance is of stone and Italian marble,
Belgian glass and crystals. A large colorfully stained-glass window, signed by
Carlos Sorgenicht decorate the entrance hall. The interior design gives a
distinctive appeal and a classic charm thanks to the use of glass panels,
Belgian floor tiles and Portuguese marble.This is a French-style mansion, the
garden was inspired by the Palace of Versailles, home of the famous rose
garden, the roses were planted followed a geometric pattern surrounding it.The
house, now a cultural center, plays host to small art exhibits. All exhibitions
in the Casa das Rosas are of writers, poets, visual artists and photographers.The
house also hosts the first library in the country specializing in poetry and a
book from the Press Office of the State of SP, which sells only books by
academic publishers. In the house exists a collection of books of the family of
architect Ramos de Azevedo, the family has also donated the poet's office to
the Culture Secretary.The library features rare books like the first books
editions with Octavio Paz and João Cabral de Melo Neto autography. Admission is
free from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-6pm.
Chapada Diamantina
Chapada Diamantina National Park or the Brazilian
Grand Canyon is just a small part of the Chapada (highlands); it is located
approximately 300 kilometers northwest of the Bahia State, Brazil. The park
covers an area larger than the Netherlands, an expanse of 38,000 square
kilometers stretching as far south as Minas Gerais.The park contains an
extraordinary variety of ecosystems, like Cerrado, Mata Atlantica, and
Caatinga, and is the home of many species of plants and animals. In its area
you can find different species bromeliads and orchids.The highest mountains
reach 1800m (5,660 feet) and they offer shelter to Jaguatiricas (local breed of
feline), mocós (local rodents), deer's and teiús (local reptile finds a privilege
ambiance).The main rivers of the area begin in the hidden rocks of the Chapada.
The Paraguaçu and the de Contas rivers cave deep canyons in the hills and
planes, creating scenery of divine beauty. The same Rio das Contas will reach
the ocean in the city of Itacaré, hundreds of kilometers further.Also, the park
offers diverse landscapes, encompassing swamps, valleys, mountains, spectacular
waterfalls (multitude of smaller waterfalls, some of which are ideal for a
cooling dip), rivers, mesas, weird and fantastic rock formations aboveground, a
system of quartzite caves with crystal clear lakes, underground rivers, every
level of walkers, also it is ideal for other activities such as horse riding,
mountain biking, climbing, and some of the wildest eco-adventures in Brazil.Aboveground,
you can arrange a tour of the park by bike, off-road, canoe and by foot, as
well as by mule and horses. Combine these activities with a swim in a cool
waterhole, and you can experience the park in many forms.Some of the favored
swimming holes are Ribeirao do Meio (a 38 meters natural cascade), Sossego
waterfall, Cachoeira Fumaça waterfall (or the Smoky Falls where the wind from
an enormous canyon blows into a cloud of vapor that can be seen for miles, it
is the Brazil’s 2nd highest waterfall (around 400 meters high).Access to some
of underground caves is granted to special groups by the environmental
protection agencies and some are open only to highly qualified divers and
spelunkers.Some of the best dive spots are: Gruta da Pratinha (descend by
natural stairs into a crystal clear lake), Os Impossíveis (a crater shaped with
vertical walls, white stalagmites and access to various tunnels), Poço de Milú
(a pool with underwater passageways), Poço Encantado, etc.Poço Encantado is a
giant pool of 120 feet deep but the water is so transparent the rocks and
ancient tree trunks are visible on the bottom. When the sun is just right,
light comes through a crevice and creates a blue reflection on the water.
Access to this pond is highly controlled for environmental protection of its
rare and delicate ecosystem.
Encotro das Aguas
Encontro das Aguas ("Meeting of the
Waters"), is located a 20km south-east of the city of Manaus. It is a
phenomenon that occurs at the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões
to form the Amazon, where the waters of both rivers do not mix in an area of
more than 6 km. It is one of the main attractions and one of the most
spectacular views of the city of Manaus, where the beauty and majesty of nature
Amazon is object of admiration.This phenomenon provides an unforgettable
experience. It occurs due to the different temperatures, densities and flows of
rivers: the Rio Negro is about 2 km/h and a temperature of 22 ° C, while Rio
Solimões runs from 4 to 6 km/h with a temperature of 28 ° C.Traveling to the
Encontro das Aguas in a small boat is a unique experience, people can put their
hands in the water, and feel the temperature change of both rivers.In summer,
when water levels are low, tourists can visit the island of Terranova, a region
of lowlands, to observe the extraction of latex and cocoa plantations. But,
when the water levels are high, tourist visit the Ecological Park of Janauary,
where they can learn about the crafts of local people. The tours are usually
Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 16.00pm hours.
Guardo do Embau
The Guarda do Embau, Florianopolis is one of the most
remarkable Florianopolis tourist attractions, and it considered to be one of
the world's most beautiful beaches. It is located in the hills of the State
Park Board near Rio do Madre, 60 km south of Florianopolis and 40 km north of
the Garopaba.Guarda do Embau is a small fishing village, whose peculiarity is
the maximum access to the sea. It is a place of rare beauty that combines the
green forests of the hill Urubu, the Rio do Madre (crossed by several fishing
boats that make the passage of tourists on the beach), the dunes that stretch
into the Gamboa beach.Guarda do Embau is considered by magazines as one of the
most beautiful beaches on the Brazilian coast, the landscape consists of sand
clear waters, dunes, coasts, mountains, rivers, paradise for surfers and nature
lovers virgin. Close to the beach are the hills of the Serra do Tabuleiro State
Park.Also you can walk by the nose towards Pinheiro. During the journey is an
encounter with deserted beaches as Prainha. Another option is to walk about two
hours and reach the valley, a sort of hippy community where the beer, music and
joy that characterizes the people of Brazil will never lack. Embaú do is store
a destination for those seeking to combine nature, beauty and absolute
tranquility.
Harbour of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Harbour is located on the south-western
shore of Guanabara Bay, which is surrounded by the city of Rio along a strip of
land between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains: Sugar Loaf Mt, Corcovado
Peak, and the hills of Tijuca. The harbour was formed by the Atlantic Ocean
which wore out the soil and rocks along the coast.The naked and lopsided
mountain called Pao de Acucar evoked the sugarloaves fashioned on the island of
Madeira, guarding the entrance to the bay. The highest mountain was called
Corcovado “the hunchback” due to its humped profile. Nowadays a statue of
Christ the Redeemer crowns the 2,300 foot-high peak.The geology of this amazing
place is admired by people who said: “God made the world in six days and on the
seventh, he concentrated on Rio”. Its climate is wonderful and the beaches are
free to everyone.
Horto Florestal
Estadual Alberto Löfgren State Park or also known as
Horto Florestal is located at north of Sao Paulo, some eleven miles from the
city. It occupies an area of 174 hectares at the foot of the Serra da
Cantareira. More specifically the end of the Rua do Horto within Cantareira
State Park, in the neighborhood of Tremembé.The Horto Florestal includes
various areas such as the picnic area, playground, jogging track, trails,
mineral springs, fitness equipment, two lakes with islands formed by tree
roots, and Forestry Museum. You can also find the Summer Palace of the State
Government, public residence which houses the current governor.Also it has one
of the largest display collections of wood in all Latin America, housed in the
Forestry Museum Otavio Vecchi. The museum is associated with the Forest
Institute of Sao Paulo, which coordinates all the conservation efforts within
Sao Paulo state. The Institute is a place where researchers and students can
come to learn and conduct studies concerning biological sciences, especially
focusing on medicinal plants and the health of fruit trees in Northeastern
Brazil.Also you can see many animals such as: turtles, herons, monkeys, ducks,
capybaras, geese, wild birds and other wildlife. It offers to the visitors a
direct contact with nature, and its diversity of flora and fauna. And people
can take a dip in the lake on a hot day.
Iguazu Falls
One of the largest waterfalls in the world, Iguazu
Falls is located in Iguaçu National Park in the extreme west of the State of
Paraná, on the border with Paraguay and Argentina. As a matter of fact,
Argentina has the major part of the falls and both countries have its own
National Park that has a good diversity of wild life.Iguazu Falls, also written
Iguassu Falls or Cataratas do Iguaçu in Portuguese and Cataratas del Iguazú in
Spanish, is one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. It is wider than
Victoria and higher than Niagara, and more beautiful than either.The water
cascades down the river to the hundreds of lower falls. The majority of the
downstream falls are on the Argentina side, so the best viewing is from the
trails on the Brazil side.The falls are made up of 275 separate waterfalls
which occupy an area 3 kilometers miles wide and 80 meters high, providing a
sensational sight. Each second the falls produces 450,000 gallons of water.
Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most
spectacular waterfalls in the world.The lush vegetation of the surrounding park
is also home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, including
the giant otter and giant anteater. The subtropical rainforest has over 2,000
species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region:
tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.The most
impressive section is called Garganta do Diabo (or Devil's Throat). This is a
U-shaped section, 150m wide, and 700m, that forms the border between Argentina
and Iguaçu Falls.The best times to see Iguaçu Falls are in the spring and fall.
Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is
considerably lower. Each year, millions of visitors gaze at the falls to see
one of the most amazing natural shows with an unforgettable spectacle.
Jardim Botânico
Jardim Botânico is located in the heart of the South Side, minutes away
from Ipanema and Copacabana. The Botanical Garden extends over 350 acres and is
home to more than 6,000 different species of both tropical and subtropical
plants and trees.The garden is known as one of the ten most important Botanical
Gardens in the world. It is dotted with historical buildings, sculptures,
fountains and monuments, with dated from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries.
The most well-known symbol of the park is the royal palms, dating back to the
period of Dom João VI. The Jardim Botatinco also includes many threatened
species of plants including the “pau-brasil”, “acará amarelo” and “pau mulato”.The
gardens have several special areas featuring plants of specific Brazilian
regions such as the area called "the Amazon region”, with dense
vegetation.The Japanese Garden created in 1935 from a donation of sixty-five
species of plants typical of Japan, conducted by the Embassy of Japan. It is a
typical Japanese garden of stone, bamboo, cherry, willow and bridal bouquets,
and two lakes surrounded by lotus flowers.The garden there are monuments of
historical, artistic and archaeological interest, and a major research center
which includes the central fountain, sculptures of Mestre Valentim, Eco and
Narciso, a library specializing in botany, with over 32 thousand volumes.The
greenhouses with bromeliads and orchids are very popular, with some 1,700
species of formations, the greenhouse plants, insectivorous plants that capture
and digest insects, the collection of cactus, and medicine plants.Another
highlight is the Lago Frei Leandro, which houses beautiful species such as
lotus, water Papirus feet, herons, butterflies, etc. There is also a gunpowder
factory built by D. João VI, Pilões, the House of the Cedars, the house of
Pilões, the Academy of Fine Arts, etc.Finally, a beautiful avenue of imperial
palms magnificent called Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, a gift shop and a small cafe
conveniently located within the perimeter. The exuberance of nature ensures
that the visitor is impressed by the color and variety of flora.
Palacio Cristal
The Palacio de Cristal is a cast-iron and glass
building. It is located in the city of Petrópolis (Rua Alfredo Pachá, s/n –
Centro), State of Rio de Janeiro.The Palacio de Cristal is a place that has a
high symmetry, which is why it can be appreciated from any angle or viewpoint.
The lighting in the palace covers all areas, with medium-size trees, flowers
and lots of grass. There are only a few large trees to produce enough shade
during the warm excursions and exhibitions. Also the two small lakes on the
margins of the gate are appreciates for tourist and general public.This palace
is a beautiful work of art appreciated by tourists for its excellent way to
capture the colors and the variety of flowers that grow on the tops of the
trees.Now the Palacio de Cristal is used for exhibitions and events, as the
Bauernfest, the annual festival and a tribute to the German colonists of
Petropolis.
Pelourinho
Pelourinho is located in Salvador's historic town
center in the Cidade Alta (Upper city), and is located slightly to the east of
the center of town, just off of the Rua de Alfredo Brito.Pelourinho
("Pelo" to the locals) is an old town with many colonial-style
churches and buildings painted in pastel colors, also considered to be the most
important complex of colonial architecture in all of Latin America. It’s on a
hill above the rest of the town.The town is surrounded by several houses in the
old colonial style, including the house of the founder Jorge Amado and churches
like the Rosários dos Homens Pretos and Catedral Basílica, two great examples
of architecture in the colonial era.Some buildings are more beautiful outside
than inside, seeing that the town hall reformed only the frontages in order to
attract the tourists. On the other hand some houses are more beautiful inside
what is really amazing how such nice places are hidden behind the frontages.The
district is famous for its history, music, nightlife, shops, handcrafts,
restaurants, pubs, museum, artists, and particularly for its capoeira. It is a
very culturally rich city and is noted for its large Carnival celebrations,
which including a strong Afro-Brazilian musical and spiritual component.The
Prédio do Senac is a regular school of gastronomy in which visitors can sample
typical Bahian dishes and in the evenings can frequently watch performances of
dances and other folk events.You can also visit the last slave market in
Brazil; the First African Church in the new world, built in 1704; art
galleries, souvenirs shops and various other important historical landmarks.
Pelourinho is an amazing place. It is very common to see tourists taking photos
and recording all the beauty of this place.
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