Rio de Janeiro

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Brazil

Country Information Brazil

Brazil ranks as the largest country in South America and after looking at a map, the country’s grand size is clear. As the fifth largest country in the world, Brazil has more than 185 million inhabitants and remains the only country in South America to speak Portuguese as their official language. Brazil occupies a large area along the southeastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, sharing borders with every country in South America except for Ecuador and Chile. The capital of Brazil is not Sao Paulo as many people think, but the relatively unknown city of Brasilia in the center of the country. The well-known city of Rio de Janeiro home of Copacabana, Ipanema beaches and the world famous carnival offer a consistent buzz of entertainment. The beautiful colonial Salvador da Bahia and the metropolis Sao Paulo, a city known especially for their sheer size and massive population of almost 20 million people living within the city, offer much diversity in cultural activity. The largest Brazilian metropolises are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte with several million inhabitants; however, almost every well-known city in Brazil reaches an average populations of one million.

Within the vast amounts of Brazilian land, presents incredible geographical and climatic diversity nurturing the world’s longest river system, largest remaining rainforest and Amazonian Basin. If beaches are what you are looking for, look no further than the beautiful coasts and gorgeous sandy shores that run along the entire north to south coastline of Brazil. The further north you go, the more the country will seem like paradise!

Brazil's great territory comprises several ecosystems, and is recognized as having the greatest biological diversity and the richest wildlife in the world. Throughout this mostly tropical territory, scientists estimate that 4 million unknown and/or unclassified species of plants and animals remains in the wilderness of Brazil. Among these species are innumerable counts of snakes, reptiles, fish as well as plentiful varieties of astounding birds, monkeys, deer, wild cats, and other mammals ranging in all sizes.

When deciding travel dates to Brazil, the top consideration is not necessarily weather, but moreover the seasons of carnival. The world famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro is in February, which is the middle of the highest travel and hottest temperature season in Brazil. If the Amazon is your direction, take note that March collects the most rainfall out of the entire year. If your interests are that of temperate weather and a less touristy season, consider the more quiet (and quiet is relative for Brazil) months of May to September.

Finally, one affect of the slave trade in colonial times, which transported tens of thousands of Africans to South America, especially on the east coast, deeply influenced Brazilian culture. One result of such despairing times, which can be seen today are the influence of African culture, Caribbean rhythms and the traditional dance Capoiera.

The Brazilians are very hearty and easygoing people that will immediately impress you by their happy outlooks, dance parties and relaxed way of life!

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