Brazil

Information and Tourism

The biggest of all the countries in South America and also the most densely populated, Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil) is known locally in Portuguese as the 'República Federativa do Brasil'. Standing directly to the north of Argentina, Brazil lies on the north-easterly region of South America and next to the Atlantic Ocean, where it boasts a lengthy coastline of almost 7,500 km / 4,660 miles.

Apart from neighbouring Argentina, Brazil is also edged by a large number of further countries, such as Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela (north), Colombia (north-west), Bolivia and Peru (west), Paraguay (south-west) and Uruguay (south). Brazil was first established more than 500 years ago, when the earliest immigrants arrived from Portugal and brought with them their distinctive Portuguese culture and language.


Over the years, Brazil has become famous for many different things, including its rich soccer history, its vast Amazon rainforest, and its exciting yearly carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and also within the World Heritage Sites of both Olinda and Salvador. Brasilia serves as the Brazilian capital, while other important cities include Belém, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Recife and Sao Paulo, which is the biggest city in Brazil and also the most cosmopolitan.

	WORLD GUIDES TO BRAZIL
	Amazonas - Bahia - Ceara - Federal District of Brazil - Minas Gerais - Para - Parana - Pernambuco - Rio de Janeiro State - Rio Grande do Norte - Rio Grande do Sul - Santa Catarina - Sao Paulo State
	World Guide to Belem, Brazil Capital of the state of Pará, Belem sits next to the Baia do Guajará. A surprisingly popular and appealing city, Belem is the place to come if you are considering a cruise along the Amazon River (Rio Amazonas).
	World Guide to Belo Horizonte, Brazil There are countless reasons why Belo Horizonte enjoys such a high number of annual visitors. The tropical climate is certainly quite a draw, along with the established tourism scene, lots of great eateries and some very friendly Brazilians.
	World Guide to Brasilia, Brazil Brazil's extremely modern and undeniably stylish capital, Brasilia is a relatively youthful city, being planned and established as recently as the early sixties. The futuristic architecture of Brasilia is a definite highlight.
	World Guide to Buzios, Brazil A popular holiday resort with many gorgeous sandy beaches, Buzios is to be found on the south-eastern coastline of Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Of interest, Buzios was once a favourite haunt of Brigitte Bardot, who helped to elevate its status.
	World Guide to Curitiba, Brazil A sizable state capital, Curitiba is situated within Paraná, being famed for its quality of life and well-developed infrastructure. Attractions in Curitiba include the eye-catching Oscar Niemeyer Museum and the Jardim Botanico (Botanic Gardens).
	World Guide to Florianopolis, Brazil Known by many as simply Floripa and sited on Santa Catarina island, the coastal city of Florianopolis ranks amongst southern Brazil's biggest and most visited holiday resorts. Literally dozens of beaches are within reach of Florianopolis.
	World Guide to Fortaleza, Brazil A fairly isolated Brazilian city lying on the north-eastern coast, Fortaleza is the capital of the state of Ceará. The beach suburb of Meireles offers a good choice of hotels, while the Praia do Futuro is another notable beach.
	World Guide to Foz do Iguacu, Brazil Much of the appeal of Foz do Iguacu is down to its scenic setting. A backdrop of mountains is accompanied by lush jungles and several breathtaking waterfalls, including the famous Iguacu Falls - a true spectacle of nature.
	World Guide to Manaus, Brazil The largest of all the cities within the state of Amazonas, Manaus is understandably the state capital and is a good spot for an organised rainforest expedition. The Amazonas Opera House is one sight not to be missed.
	World Guide to Natal, Brazil A busy gateway into the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal has become something of a leading coastal destination, with sand dunes and sunny beaches, as well as nearby colourful coral reefs perfect for scuba diving.
	World Guide to Paraty, Brazil Combined with colonial architecture and numerous beaches, the Portuguese heritage of Paraty includes gold rush days and a legacy of pirates. The principal attractions of Paraty tend to be concentrated around its coastline.
	World Guide to Porto Alegre, Brazil Standing next to the Lagoa dos Patos, an expansive freshwater lagoon, the sophisticated port city of Porto Alegre has much to offer its visitors. Highlights include beaches, botanical gardens and a bustling market - the Mercado Publico.
	World Guide to Recife, Brazil A coastal city and capital of Pernambuco, Recife has never been more popular. While the sandy beaches around Recife may be the main draw, the city also features a water park, zoo, sports stadium and a number of quality museums.
	World Guide to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil's number two city in terms of size, Rio de Janeiro offers an intriguing mixture of modern skyscrapers, sandy beaches, traditional Brazilian shanty towns and mountainous scenery. Copacabana Beach is amongst Rio's most popular.
	World Guide to Salvador, Brazil A city bursting with energy, Salvador da Bahia comes with an enchanting historic centre, where buildings date from the 17th century onwards. The beaches, funicular railway, parks and markets all add to the charm.
	World Guide to Sao Paulo, Brazil Although Brasilia is actually Brazil's capital, it is Sao Paulo that is the country's largest and most visited city. Sao Paulo is something of an urban jungle and is known for its Art Deco character and huge Parque do Ibirapuera.

Brazil Information and Fast Facts

• Country: Federative Republic of Brazil / República Federativa do Brasil (South America)
• Population: approximately 190 million
• Capital city: Brasilia (population 2.5 million)
• Biggest city: Sao Paulo (population 11 million)
• Language: Portuguese, small number speak Nheengatu
• Main exports: aircraft, cars, clothing, coffee, electrical equipment, iron ore, orange juice, soybean and steel
• Area: 3,287,620 square miles / 8,514,900 square kilometres
• Currency: Brazilian Real / Reais (BRL)
• Time zone: Brasilia Time (UTC -2 to -4 / summer UTC -2 to -5)
• Country dialling code: +55
• Religion: predominantly Roman Catholic, remainder Protestant and Christian denominations

Map of Brazil