| Brazil is the largest and most dynamic South | | | | over 2.5 million species of insect and one-fifth of the |
| American country, bordering all but two of the | | | | world's bird species! The notorious carnivorous piranha |
| continent's other nations. In Brazil, wild Amazon | | | | lingers in numerous quantities in the Amazon River's |
| adventures can be coupled with stimulating city sights | | | | waters, along with the fascinating Boto, the largest |
| and leisurely beach escapades. Brazil's Portuguese | | | | species of river dolphin. The mysterious Anaconda |
| colonization along with its participation in the Atlantic | | | | snake also lurks in the river's basin; but have no fear, |
| triangle slave trade with Africa produced a fusion of | | | | they are generally harmless to humans. At the |
| cultures that is celebrated today in the form of | | | | Argentinean border, Iguaçu Falls embodies the |
| fantastic food, unmatched festivals, eclectic music | | | | extent of Brazil's beauty with over 275 different |
| beats and a diverse national identity that is finally | | | | waterfalls merging together into one harmonious rush |
| being embraced. | | | | of thunder with a vast number of scenic trails winding |
| When Portuguese settlers arrived in 1531, the native | | | | around the cascading cliffs and lush estuaries. Another |
| population that existed was relatively small and | | | | aquatic phenomenon occurs 10 kilometers upstream |
| decentralized compared with other indigenous | | | | from the city of Manaus where the dark waters of |
| empires on the continent. They were quickly | | | | the Negro River join the yellowish Solimoes River |
| enslaved on sugar plantations but soon replaced by | | | | without blending for a few kilometers. This dual |
| Africans. Today, their small surviving populations live | | | | colored waterway is the beginning of the Amazon |
| mainly hidden in the interior of Brazil's thick jungles; | | | | River. |
| however, their influence in art and abundance of | | | | Carnival, and That's Not All |
| intricate handmade crafts are unavoidable, especially | | | | Though some claim that the festival of Carnival is the |
| inland. The history of Brazil's entangled interior is also | | | | best time to visit Brazil's liveliest city, Rio de Janeiro, |
| touched by African slaves who escaped the coastal | | | | this pulsing metropolis is booming with life all year |
| plantations and built secret settlements. Quilombo dos | | | | long. The dense population provides unrelenting |
| Palmares was the most impressive of these | | | | entertainment while the beautiful beaches tend to be |
| settlements; with a peak population of 30,000 | | | | the ultimate draw. The urban centers of Sao Paulo |
| inhabitants and over 200 buildings, the town | | | | and Brasilia, the official capital, are also teeming with |
| functioned independently for nearly a century until a | | | | nightlife, activities and history. Remember when you |
| bloody battle with the Portuguese erupted in 1694. | | | | travel to Brazil that the southern urban regions |
| Eco-Sensations | | | | experience a (very) mild winter during the months of |
| Brazil's expansive terrain is endless with natural | | | | June to August and the peak of summer is in |
| wonders. Nearly forty percent of the world's | | | | January. The northern tropical regions are steadily |
| remaining tropical rainforests is part of Brazil's | | | | warm year-round. |
| Amazon and Atlantic forests, which are home to | | | | |