BRAZIL
By YanniePascual
EXPLORE A COUNTRY OF CONTRASTS
Geographically and in population, Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country. And within its significant area it holds a wealth of gorgeous sights and a culture that captivates the world. It is the land of festive carnivals, a great Amazonian forest and sunny white-sand beaches. The scenic expanse of Brazil proffers astounding sights of majestic waterfalls, red-rock canyons, and crystal-clear rivers—all for ripe for exploration.
Beyond the physical beauty of Brazil, the country has an awe-inspiring mixture of cultures and races which makes it the perfect backdrop for the recent Miss Universe 2011. The combination of enthralling natural resources and ethnically diverse culture is just right for the idealistic eyes of gorgeous ladies representing different ethnicities.
Captivating Sights
Its official name is the Federal Republic of Brazil, or, in Portuguese, the RepublicaFederativadoBrasil. But know the world over as simply Brazil, the country stands as one of the must-see destinations of the world. It borders every other South American country, and measured from west to east it stretches nearly 2,700 miles from the Andean foothills to the Atlantic Ocean. It occupies almost half the area of South America, and although it is just slightly smaller than the United States in area, Brazil’s population is about 40% less.
Most Brazilians live in the densely populated areas of eastern Brazil. And although urbanization has not produced actual declines in rural population, internal migration has caused cities to grow much faster than rural areas. Tourists exploring the large locale of Brazil will surely be stimulating, but if you are on a short vacation you need to pick the cities that will appease curiosity for exotic exploration.
São Paulo
In the region of São Paulo, 760 meters about sea level, the populous city of the same name is the densest one in Brazil. Almost two-thirds of the land is urbanized and the rest is rural.
One spot in the urban area that attracts many is the São Paulo Art Museum, which is the perfect place for art lovers. This museum hosts pieces from famed artists such as Rafael, Botticceli, Bellin, and Andrea Mantegna. Another beautiful site visitors should stop by is Se Cathedral. This majestic cathedral ranks among the 5 largest cathedrals in the world. It is considered an awe-inspiring work of art because of the unconventional Gothic architecture that truly inspires those who see it. The underground crypts of the cathedral can also be a church in their own right, with beautiful statues creating a blessed atmosphere.
Rio de Janeiro
Nestled between a cerulean sea and mountains covered in dense forests is the city also known as the River of January. More popularly called Rio de Janerio, the urban expanse extends 20 kilometers along an alluvial strip. The main attraction of the city, which has been the central figure of so many feature films shot in Rio, is the famous statue of Jesus Christ, which is aptly named Christ the Redeemer. The city itself has streets and buildings that have been molded around the foothills of the mountain range that provides its backdrop, while out in the bay there are many rocky islands fringed with white sand. It is a breathtaking view that tempts visitors to make their short stay in the gorgeous city more permanent. But beyond its scenery, Rio is famed all over the world for its glamorous and sensational Carnival! This annual festival is held forty-six days before Easter and is an event not to be missed. The streets are filled with colorful floats, dancers and revelers, all celebrating in one huge party!
Rio can also awe you with its natural beauty as it is blessed with the two largest forests in the world: the Tijuca forest and ParqueEstadul da PedraBranca. Both are pristine tropical paradises that are unequalled in splendor. These grand forests convey a different side of Brazil as one of the world’s natural wonders.
And for those who crave for the Brazilian sun and sand, the coastline extends 635 kilometers and is formed by the bays of Guanabara, Sepetiba, and Ilha Grande. The deep crystal waters of the ocean also feature diverse environments such as beautiful bays, lagoons and forests. Most of the state however consists of highlands formed by several mountain chains like the Serra do Mar, which separates Rio from the state of São Paulo. The highest point of the state, the Pico das Agulhas Negras (Black Needles Pëak) is located in the Serra da Mantiqueira which forms the physical border with neighboring Minas Gerais.
Salvador
The easygoing atmosphere of the city, as well as the ever-popular street festivities, is why Salvador has earned the moniker of “capital city of happiness”. Famous for its cuisine, music and architecture, it is a place full of fun and enjoyment. It is said that this is the city that is always celebrating and hosts the best carnivals as well, making it an ideal place for festivity and celebration.
One of the oldest cities in Brazil, Salvador was founded in 1549 by Thome de Souza, the Portuguese governor of Brazil, and remained its capital until 1763. Older than the nation of Brazil itself, its 450th birthday preceded the country’s 500th by one year. But far from being old-fashioned, the city has moved with the times, embracing technology. In fact, the oldest part of town (called “Pelourinho”) today boasts an elevator that eliminates the steep climb from the sea level port to the buildings nestled into the mountainside.
Manaus
History buffs may want to stop by the city of Manaus, which blossomed into a rich urban metropolis when construction of the fort Sao Jose do Rio Negro in 1669 led to the development of the town. The name of the small town was given in honor of the nation Manaus, which means ‘Mother of the Gods’. It is now the second largest city in Northern region of Brazil.
This populous city lies along the north bank of the Negro River. It is located inland from the Atlantic coast and lies within the heart of the Amazon. As a major inland port, it carries a diverse and rich culture from being a collection and distribution center for the river areas of the upper Amazon. A huge exporter of rubber, Brazil nuts, rosewood oil, jute, and a host of minor forest products, the city relies heavily in the production of such items. Manaus’ industries also include brewing, shipbuilding, soap manufacturing, the production of chemicals, the manufacture of electronics equipment, and petroleum refining.
Nurtured Brazilian Culture
A beguiling mix of cultures, Brazil is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. It is the only Portuguese speaking or Lusophone country in South America, and the blend of diverse elements of different cultures has spawned a unique mix of people that have an uninhibited flair and unstoppable passion for life.
It is a country full of celebration and an appetite for beauty and fun. At the same time, the mythic immensity of the Amazon jungle adds an aspect of staggering natural beauty to this land. The stretches of unexplored rain forest, pristine tropical beaches, and dramatic coastlines are another facet of this beautiful gem. And the locals themselves emanate Brazil’s charm. A sensuous people, bursting with charisma and vitality, they bring life to the country! The Carnaval celebrations, full of dancing and festivities, are part of the party culture that expresses the zest for life that all Brazilians embody. A truly incredible people, they are fun-loving, relaxed and generous in nature. In fact, it is part of the norm in Brazil to start up a chat with a local on the beach or at the supermarket and get invited over for caipirinhas and meet family or friends.
One key part of Brazilian culture is an intense love for the beach. You have not been to Brazil until you’ve stepped on a Brazilian beach. The locals themselves have a love affair with the sun, surf and sand. When the sun comes out, Brazilians head to the beach to have fun, play sports or simply socialize. The atmosphere on a popular Brazilian beach cannot be described in words and must be experienced, as it has an energy and vibe all its own.
Anticipate Brazilian Cuisine
Brazilian cuisine is fusion of cultures and ingredients with roots from four continents: Africa, Europa, America and Asia.
Brazil is a virtual melting pot for different cultures. In the 16th century about 1 million native Indians lived in Brazil before the first Portuguese explorers arrived. And beginning in 1538, almost 5 million Africans arrived before the abolition of slavery in 1888. Portuguese immigrants were followed by Italians, Germans, Syrians, and Lebanese. Asians arrived during the 1930′s. Every culture that came to Brazil has left an indelible mark on their culture, and most especially their cuisine.
This mixture has created a national cooking style marked by profound differences. To separate the different types of cuisine, one only has to go by region:
North (Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Pará, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins)
The areas of Northern Brazil are better known as Amazonia because of the rain forests and tributaries flowing into the mighty Amazon, and within this area there is a large mix of Indian and Portuguese ancestry. As such, their diet consists of fish, root vegetables such as manioc, yams, and peanuts, plus palm or tropical fruits. The cuisine of this region is heavily Indian influenced. One popular dish is Caruru do Pará, a one-pot meal of dried shrimp, okra, onion, tomato, cilantro, and dende oil.
Northeast (Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhao, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe)
The state of Bahia is geographically divided into coastlands and arid inlands. The dry inland region is mainly used for cattle, while the fertile coastal plain is an economically important sugar cane and cacao growing area.
Mainly, the cuisine in the region is Afro-Bahian, which evolved from plantation cooks improvising with African, Indian, and traditional Portuguese dishes while using locally available ingredients.
In the remainder of the coastal plains there is less African influence on the food, but seafood, shellfish, and tropical fruits are menu staples. And inland, in the cattle growing and farm lands, foods like dried meat, rice, beans, goat, manioc and corn meal are very popular.
Central-West (Federal District of Brasilia plus Goias, MatoGrosso, and MatoGrosso do Sul)
This region is home to the famous Pantanal, one of the finest gaming and fishing regions on earth. As a whole, the region is comprised of dry open savannahs or prairies with wooded terrain in the north. However, fish from Brazil’s many rivers, as well as beef and pork from the vast ranches of the region dominate the menu. Other bounty harvested from the agricultural crops includes soybean, rice, corn, and manioc—all of which are delicious additions to this regions cuisines.
Southeast (Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo)
The industrial heart of Brazil is home to the several distinctive styles of cooking. In the area of Minas, corn, pork, beans, and local soft ripened cheeses are prominent ingredients in local dishes. However, around Rio and São Paulo a simmered bean and meat dish called feijoadacompleta is a popular lunch in restaurants. Also standard fare is arroz-feijao, or rice and beans. To spot the difference between dished, traditionally black beans are prepared in Rio, red or blonde beans in São Paulo, and either black or red in Minas Gerais.
Also in São Paulo, the cuisine bears the influence of European and North African culture, mainly from Italy, along with many from Portugal and Spain.
South (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina)
The gaucho, or cowboy, created many dishes that have become part of the national cuisine. Some delicious additions are meals made with sun or salt dried meats and churrasco, or dishes of wood fire grilled fresh meats.
European immigrants, mostly German and Italian, were more accustomed to wheat in their diet. They were from an agricultural people who worked the land and introduced wine, leafy vegetables, and dairy products to Brazil. When potatoes were not available they improvised and discovered the native sweet manioc could be cooked and served in the same way potatoes were served in their homeland.
Continue to Enthrall Travelers
Brazil continues to captivate explorers all over the world with its festivities, music, dancing and all-around verve for life! Its natural beauty and great biodiversity also offer the most exciting adventures for the daring traveler.
However, apart from the well-known Brazilian destinations, there are many places yet left to be unexplored. With the hectic lifestyle that most people have these days, holidays and elusive breaks from work have become an important part of everyone’s lives. It is these vacations, which pull people away from the daily stresses of life that help in revitalizing the mind and body. Stepping out onto a beautiful beach, exploring a strange city or dancing in a street carnival—these are the best ways to melt stress away and appreciate life! And, of course, Brazil is the best place for all th
