Quick Facts

Full Country Name: República Federativa do Brasil
Population: 175 million
Capital City: Brasília
People: 55% European descent, 38% mulatto, 6% African descent, 1% other.
Language: Portuguese
Religion: 70% Roman Catholic; also a significant proportion who either belong to various cults or practice Indian animism.
Climate: Brazil stays between 70 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit year round. This is because it is near the equator. Brazil is divided into three regions. The Amazon has up to 160 inches of rain each year. The average temperature in this area is 81° Fahrenheit.
Currency of Brazil: Brazilian


Stacking your Postcards

Amazon Rain Forest, Manaus
Tragic is the only word to describe a visit to Brazil without a trip to the Amazon rainforest. Home to thousands of the rarest species of flora and fauna in the world as well as numerous indigenous tribes, entering this wilderness is like nothing you are ever likely to experience again. Manaus, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is the gateway for all visitors to the depths of the rainforest and there are numerous tour operators who provide excellent packages which cater for everyone’s needs. Do shop around for the best value and try to avail of a tour which will provide anything you might need during your trip. Remember, you are heading into the wild so if you forget anything, there is no going back. Main activities, sports etc.

The Pantanal
The Pantanal translates as ‘large swamp’ and lies in the mid–west of the country. While everyone has heard of the Amazon Basin, this area actually surpasses it when it comes to wildlife viewing. Home to over six hundred and fifty species of bird as well as alligators, deer, otters, emus, boa constrictors and monkeys, it is a fascinating attraction for the nature lovers among you. If you’re not partial to all things wild and wonderful, however, you might be better off heading to the beach because they simply cannot be avoided in this unique wilderness.

Guassu Falls
Situated in the Parque Nacional Iguazú near Puerto Iguassú, these spectacular falls lie just east of the confluence of the Iguassú and Paraná rivers. At least 5000 cubic m (176,570 cu ft) of water per second plunge the 70m (230ft) into the abyss below. If they look familiar, it's because they were the supporting actors in the film The Mission; appropriately, the area has historic ruins of Jesuit missions which also draw many visitors. San Ignacio Miní, built in a style of architecture known as 'Guaraní baroque', is especially popular. Above the falls, the waters are suitable for canoeing, kayaking and other water sports. The surrounding park is home to 55,000ha (135,850ac) of pristine subtropical rainforest, with abundant wildlife and plant species.

Destination Guides

Brasilia
The capital of Brazil, "a futuristic city in the midst of unspoiled nature," is over 700 miles inland from the former capital of Rio de Janeiro. Every aspect of the city was planned, including its location, selected to ensure safety from maritime attack. Design and construction began in 1956, and Bras¡lia became the county's new capital in 1960.

Masterminded by Brazilian architect and urban planner L£cio Costa and initially given definition by the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer and landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx, Bras¡lia's government buildings and monuments, green spaces, and residential "super blocks" are all designed for efficient, pleasant living while reflecting Niemeyer's philosophy that "The architecture should be an expression of the spirit, of the imagination and the poetry."

Many of the buildings are soaring, and futuristic sculptures by a number of artists adorn the spaces around many of the buildings. An architectural tour could take days; dozens of structures clamor for inclusion on the list of "must-sees."

Victoria
Capital of the state of Esp¡rito Santo, Vit¢ria is the main island of a 33-island archipelago. Right across the city's two bridges is Vila Velha ("Old Town"), the nucleus of the original settlement. Although the colonial-style houses, churches, and forts of its past have been preserved, Vit¢ria is a modern city with a well-developed tourist infrastructure; hotels, bars, and numerous restaurants cater to visitors who come for its beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

The city's distinctive cuisine relies heavily on seafood, in keeping with its coastal location, and moqueca capixaba (fish stew) and torta capixaba (seafood pie) show up on many restaurant menus. Both locals and tourists flock to the popular white-sand beaches of Vila Velha and Praia da Costa.

Belo Horizonte
This very modern and industrial city is usually visited as a stopover point for travelers going from Rio to Brasilia. Belo Horizonte (pop. 2,017,000), called "Belo" locally, lies in the center of the country's most important mining area. It probably doesn't warrant more than one full day and night to see its highlights: the Palacio das Artes handicraft museum and the Church of Sao Francisco (paintings by artist Portinari and designed by Niemeyer, the primary architect of Brasilia). You can also see a prehistoric indigenous people's cave and the Museum of Modern Art. Walk through the city's jewelry section and window-shop for gems (buy only if you know what you're doing). If you're in Belo on a Sunday morning, visit the arts-and-crafts fair in Municipal Park (don't overlook the park, which has an incredible 2,000 species of trees, as well as a few resident pickpockets). Belo is known for its hearty cuisine. A visit to Congonhas (45 mi/70 km away) can be made as a day trip, or as a prelude to nearby colonial Ouro Preto. If you're in Congonhas, be sure to visit the Basilica de Bom Jesus to see Brazil's most famous work of art, the Twelve Prophets, created by sculptor Aleijadinho. 220 mi/350 km northwest of Rio de Janeiro.