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