Brazil has a rich and diverse culture and geography which makes it a favorite among travelers!  Brazil is massive in both population and size, with nearly 200 million citizens and holding the title of 5th largest country in the world.  It is by far the largest country in South America and Sao Paulo is easily the largest city in South America with nearly 18 million people.   

The rich culture comes from a history of many cultures, and races mixing.  The Portuguese made it a point to blend in with the local population of any colony they established, while this has a devastating effect on the local Indian population, the mixed races very present in todays population.   The African descents that were brought over as slaves where also thrown into the general population after slavery was ended and finally the mass immigration from Japan, Germany and Italy brought about the final mixing of races, cultures and religious ideas.  

Brazil holds the large Japanese population outside of Japan, and the second largest German population is only slightly behind the largest German population in the USA.  

From the northern eastern deserts, to the southern grassy plains, to the white sandy Atlantic beaches, to the Amazon rain forest, there is a destination for everyone during their holiday travels.   Due to the size of Brazil, every vacationer will likely have to decide on just one city to visit.   Each city has so much to offer, that a typical vacation will be completely filled with site seeing, beach activities, tours and relaxation.

While traveling through Brazil, visitors will often see people wearing the countries yellow and green colors.  Unless there happens to be a soccer/football game playing, in which case the general population will be wearing their teams colors!  If there isn't a local team game being played, there is likely a game on tv and failing that, a local game between friends!   With the often sunny weather of Brazil, it is hard to find a time when a game isn't being played!

While planning your vacation, don't forget Brazil is in the sourthern hemisphere.   This means that when it is summer in North America and Europe, it will be winter in Brazil!  

Areas of Brazil:

NORTH - Includes the states of:

  • Amazonas
  • Para
  • Acre
  • Roraima
  • Rondonia
  • Amapa
  • Tocantins

 

NORTHEAST - includes the states of:

  • Bahia
  • Paraiba
  • Sergipe
  • Ceara
  • Alagoas
  • Rio Grande do Norte
  • Pernambuco
  • Piaui
  • Maranhao

 

MIDWEST - Includes the states of:

  • Mato Grosso
  • Mato Grosso do Sul
  • Goias
  • Distrito Federal (where the capitol Brasilia is)

 

SOUTHEAST - Includes the states of:

  • Sao Paulo
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Espirtio Santo
  • Minas Gerais

 

SOUTH - Includes the states of:

  • Parana
  • Santa Catarina
  • Rio Grande do Sul