Interesting Facts About Brazil

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Panoramic Cristo Redentor, Bahia de Guanabara, 
Pão de Açúcar e Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Getting to know Brazil which is an enormously popular attraction among the international tourists is a must before you travel. Try to know a few interesting facts about Brazilian destinations that possess something unique and wonderful making them worthy of worldwide recognition. Before you get into the many attractions, interesting activities, fantastic beaches, uncommon wildlife, exotic places and many more, here are some interesting facts about Brazil:

Brazil is the biggest country in Latin America and one of the biggest in the world geographically. With a coastline of over 7,367 kilometers, Brazil's size is even larger than Italy, Portugal, Japan, Spain, Indonesia and South Africa combined.

In terms of religion, it is the biggest Catholic country and second highest Christian population which presents the tallest iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro which is considered on of the seven wonders of the world.

Brazil is the only country to have won 5 World Cup titles and is one of the main exporters of soccer players and coaches around the globe. Soccer or football (futebol, as it is called here) is a national passion played on the streets, fields, beaches, indoors, outdoors and of course. Maracanã is one of the world's biggest and most beautiful stadiums. World Cup 2014 and World Olympics 2016 will be in Brazil.

The world's largest rainforest which comprises 2.3 square million miles is found in the Amazon region in Brazil where the famous Amazon River is found. It is home to wonderful ecological displays enriched by diverse flora and fauna and unique animal species. Well, it also holds a record of deforestation and illegal logging and hunting.

The most extravagant and tourist drawing carnival is scattered around Brazilian cities mainly Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife and Olinda. It is an awaited moment of the year which requires long-term preparation in terms of choreography, music and production originality. With the lively samba rhythm, tourists both local and foreign can dance to their hearts' desire. While Carnival in big cities is commercialized, the one at the countryside is free for public participation and appreciation.

Brazil is one of the biggest agricultural and industrial exporters. Coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment. That is why, it is also among the top ten growing economies in the world together with China and India. Brazil is a Third World country with a First World economic performance.

Brazil is one of the most preferred travel destinations in Latin America due to its diverse attractions. If you want to know more about this wonderful country, visit http://braziltravel-ram.blogspot.com/ and learn more about Brazil.
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Time to Travel to Brazil

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Copacabana beach

Image by Renata F. Oliveira via Flickr

Rio de Janeiro beach

Visiting Brazil between September and November makes you enjoy summer weather and a savings on high-season rates. High season begins in December and ends in Ferbruary or March depending on when the Carnival falls.  Christmas until Carnaval is the most popular period to travel.  Summer is from December until March.  The festivals during parts of this time time are fantastic while all the countryside regions and resorts are the favorite destination of vacation travelers.  Of course, it is advisable to book your hotel much ahead of time to benefit from discounts and promotions. 

Well, Brazil is a big country and temperatures vary significantly from one state to another.  The Amazon is hot and humid all year round.  Rio de Janeiro is hot and humid in summer and mild in winter. If you go to the Pantanal, you will enjoy most of the rain falls in December through March.

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Brazil´s Hidden Secret - Buzios

By Kaitlin Nunn

The resort town of Buzios is just two hours north of Rio de Janeiro on some of Brazil's most premier coastline. Buzios is a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic, and forms many beaches, some of which have terrific surfing, while others have calm and sheltered waters. Some of the beaches are busy nearly all year-round, while others are seldom ever visited.

Buzios was a whaling and fishing town until the 1960s, when the French actress Brigitte Bardot visited it and propelled it to worldwide fame. Bardot had been staying with her boyfriend in Rio de Janeiro, but could not go outside of her hotel because she was been stalked by the paparazzi. She decided to make a deal with the press, allowing one journalist to interview and photograph her during her stay in Brazil. She and her boyfriend snuck out of their hotel and headed for Buzios, where they spend the rest of their holiday in relative seclusion. Bardot enjoyed the little town so much that she stayed for months after, and returned after many years to vacation there.

Since the sixties, the beachtown has transformed into an exclusive, high-end resort town. Perhaps due to the posh celebrity influence of Bardot, Buzios is now the summer home of many celebrities, both of Brazilians and those outside the country. It is not uncommon to see famous Brazilian soccer stars enjoying a casual game of futbol on the wide, sandy beaches. Fancy resorts, mansions, and villas line the foothills.

There are lots of bikini boutiques, French and seafood restaurants, bars that are open late into the night, and other trendy spots that locals and travelers both enjoy. Because of the exclusive nature of the town, and also because of its location outside of Rio, the town is often well-attended during the high season, but is never very crowded, at least not like on the beaches of Rio.

Several of the 25 or so beaches of Buzios are quiet and secluded. Canto, Ferradura, and Tucuns are the best for those who really want to get away from it all. It is also possible to take a catamaran or schooner tour around the peninsula, stopping at various island, beaches, and coral reefs to dive, snorkel, or fish.

This description of a Buzios Tour was written by a Brazil Travel expert at Brazil For Less.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaitlin_Nunn 

 

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

        Statue of Christ the Redeemer seen from the Corcovado mountain

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Cablecar going to the Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, in english "River of January"; is the name of both a state and a city in southeastern Brazil. The city was the capital of Brazil (1763-1960) and of the Portuguese Empire (1808-1821). Commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa - "The Marvelous City".
It is famous for its spectacular natural setting, its Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon and pavements decorated with black and cream swirl pattern mosaics. Some of the most famous local landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer "Cristo Redentor" atop Corcovado mountain; Sugarloaf mountain "Pão de Açúcar" with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade stand used during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, the world's largest. Rio also boasts the world's largest forest inside an urban area, called Floresta da Tijuca, or "Tijuca Forest".
Rio de Janeiro is located at 22 degrees, 54 minutes south latitude, 43 degrees 14 minutes west longitude (2254'S 414'W). The population of the City of Rio de Janeiro is about 6,094,183 (2005 IBGE estimate), occupying an area of 1,182.3 square kilometres (456.5 sq mi). The larger metropolitan area population is estimated at 11-12 million. It is Brazil's second-largest city after São Paulo and was the country's capital until 1960, when Braslia took its place. Residents of the city are known as Cariocas. The city's current mayor (2006) is Cesar Maia. The official song of Rio is "Cidade Maravilhosa."

Rio de Janeiro is an awe-inspiring city of contrasts. Impossibly steep granite mountains jut out of the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand, impeccable colonial buildings nestle in between modern glass skyscrapers and verdant forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas. It is a city high on life, a city of beach worship, football, samba and Carnival. And high above all this fun and frivolity stands Rio's ever-present, iconic landmark  the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
The continuing strength of foreign currencies against the Brazilian Real and the national football team's success in the 2002 World Cup have both helped to make Brazil, and Rio in particular, an increasingly popular and affordable year-round destination. And as the host of the forthcoming Pan American Games in 2007, the city is undergoing considerable regeneration and many new hotels are either built or being built. As well as the city's well-known landmarks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains, Rio boasts a wealth of attractions and activities, plus great food, music and entertainment  enough to keep a visitor busy for any length of stay.
Situated in southeast Brazil, on the natural port of the Bahia de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay), Rio is a city of over 10 million people squeezed between the ocean and the mountains. The cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city) is a melting pot of cultures and peoples in varying degrees of wealth or poverty. In Rio, the rich and poor live together and the exclusive areas stand in stark contrast and close proximity to the slum areas or favelas. But no matter what their background or economic standing, the Cariocas (as the citizens of Rio are known) are characterised by a passion and enthusiasm for life, which is on full show during Rio's famous annual Carnival.
Central to the Carioca lifestyle is the beach. From dawn until dusk and even after dark, the residents of Rio can be found enjoying the long stretches of sandy coastline with which the city is blessed. The beach is not merely a place to absorb the sun's rays but also an important venue for sports, socialising and even business. It is a people-watcher's paradise clothing is minimal and bodies are bronzed and beautiful. The famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are magnets for Brazilians and tourists alike. 

Image by Roberto Moretti via Flickr

Maravilhosa Ipanema - Gold Istant

It has taken 500 years for Rio to transform itself into one of the world's greatest cities. On 1 January 1502, Portuguese explorers sailed into Guanabara Bay and named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January), under the mistaken impression that it was an enormous river mouth. The French attempted to gain control of the bay in 1555 but were finally evicted by the Portuguese in 1567.
The Portuguese colony was based on sugar cane and agricultural products throughout the 17th century, until the discovery of gold in the nearby Minas Gerais region led to the city's emergence as a control, export and taxation centre. Black slaves formed the majority of the population in these early days of trading and the African influence is still present in the city's culture. The capital of colonial Brazil was moved from Bahia (now Salvador) in 1763 to Rio de Janeiro and the city began to flourish, especially when coffee became the predominant export in the 19th century. After the Portuguese monarchy was exiled from Portugal, when Napoleon conquered Lisbon, Rio became their home and eventually the capital of an independent Brazilian Empire. Finally, Brazil became a Republic in 1889; Rio de Janeiro remained its capital until 1960, when the Federal government was transferred to Brasilia.
Rio has continued to grow and has become a popular destination not only for tourists but also for migrants from other parts of the country. Despite its development, the city still has more than its fair share of social problems. Strong divisions exist between the haves' and the have-nots'. Attempts have been made to curtail crime, although both residents and tourists should remain alert to petty thieves.
Rio's best season is undoubtedly the summer months, between December and February, culminating with Carnival. Temperatures can rise to around 40C (104F) or more, which is ideal weather if tourists do as the Brazilians do and visit the beaches rather than rush around. 

Source:  www.justbrazil.org

http://viajeaqui.abril.com.br/fotos/brasil/rio-de-janeiro-501670.shtml?foto=0p 
 

                  Image by Rodrigo_Soldon via Flickr

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