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Introducing Brazil
Sprawling across half of South America, Brazil has captivated travelers for at least 500 years. Powdery white-sand beaches, lined with palm trees and fronting a deep blue Atlantic, stretch for more than 7000km. Dotting this coastline are tropical islands, music-filled metropolisesand enchanting colonial towns. Inland, Brazil offers dazzling sights of a different flavor: majestic waterfalls, red-rock canyons, and crystal-clear rivers – all just a small part of the natural beauty. Its larger and more famous attractions are the Amazon and the Pantanal, the pair hosting some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Wildlife-watching is simply astounding here, as is the opportunity for adventure – though you needn’t go to the jungle to find it. Kayaking, rafting, trekking, snorkeling and surfing are just a few ways to spend a sun-drenched afternoon in nearly any region in Brazil.
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Some of the world’s most exciting cities lie inside of Brazil’s borders, and travelers need not come to Carnaval to experience the music, dance and revelry that pack so many calendar nights. Given the country’s innumerable charms, the only drawback to traveling in Brazil is a logistical (and financial) one: you simply won’t want to leave.
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Last updated: Dec 8, 2009
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Brazil
Our Top Picks For Brazil
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1 Reveillon, Rio de Janeiro, 31 Dec
Are you tired of New Year's Eve always being an anti-climax? Get yourself to Copacabana Beach. Live music, DJs, dancing, fireworks and close to two million people dressed in white (in honour of Iemanjá, goddess of the sea) make this a party you won't forget!
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2 Lavagem do Bonfim festival, Salvador, 14 Jan
Outside of Carnaval, this is Salvador's biggest festival. Catholicism and Candomblé merge as traditionally dressed baianas wash the steps of the Igreja NS do Bonfim (Our Lady of Bonfim Church). A rowdy street party then lasts into the night.
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3 Iguaçu Falls
More than 250 spectacular waterfalls surrounded by Atlantic rain forest
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4 Ilha de Santa Catarina
Big surf, happening nightlife, succulent oysters, deserted beaches, quaint fishing villages and more
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5 Manaus
Gateway to jungle trips along the mighty Amazon, the once-glorious city has teeming markets and Amazonian culture
Fast Facts about Brazil
- Head of state
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- Area
8,456,510 sq km (about the size of the continental United States
- Number of times the Brazilian football team has won the World Cup
five: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
- Capital
Brasilia
- Famous for
Carnaval, the Amazon, music, football, beaches, caipirinhas, supermodels, soap operas (telenovelas), Jorge Amado, corrupt politicians
- Languages
Portuguese and 180 indigenous languages
- Population
198 million
- Phrases
legal, bacana - cool; repugnante - disgusting; festa - party
- Artists who've covered "The Girl from Ipanema"
Astrud Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, The Supremes, Sammy Davis Jr & Count Basie, Sergio Mendes
- Estimated amount of insect species in Brazil
10-15 million
Related Groups
Our favourite Brazil Blogs (beta)
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More Travel Tales by Emily Callagan
Blog: GoBackpacking - 10 December 2009
You remember Emily Callagan, right? She wrote the most popular article on Go Backpacking last month, entitled “The Importance of Hooking Up Abroad.” Since so many people enjoyed her writing, we thought it was time to share a little more of it. The following excerpts are from her stories on Drexel’s blog, The Smart Set. Birthday Wish I [...]Join Go Backpacking on Facebook for updates, plus exclusive travel photos and videos. Buy your travel insuranc
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The Importance of Hooking Up Abroad
Blog: GoBackpacking - 16 November 2009
Hooking up removes a wall and opens a door. (photo: Jon Rawlinson)Buy travel insurance from Worldnomads.com (Lonely Planet's preferred carrier)
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So, What Exactly Is Couchsurfing?
Blog: GoBackpacking - 3 November 2009
People mistake this awesome travel community for simply free accommodation...Buy travel insurance from Worldnomads.com (Lonely Planet's preferred carrier)
