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