Portuguese-speaking Brazil offers travellers a huge variety of experiences and sensations, from the roar of a passionate football crowd accompanied by a samba beat to the quiet of the Amazonian forest.
History and people
The first European man to settle in Brazil was the Portuguese sailor João Ramalho, stranded by a shipwreck on the São Paulo coastline in 1510. Previously, the only inhabitants were the indigenous Guaianás. Today, this multicultural state has just over 11 million inhabitants, many of whom have descended from Italians, Portuguese, Africans, Japanese, Spaniards, Lebanese and more.
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro
The beautiful city that welcomes its visitors with open arms like the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Feel the sand beneath your toes at Ipanema and party at Carnaval.
Manaus
See the black waters Rio Negro and the yellow waters of the Amazon meeting in one of nature's most spectacular sights. Journey from Manaus into the depths of the Amazon rainforest.
Salvador
Wander the cobblestone streets of Brazil's colonial capital past old churches, brightly-painted buildings and charming restaurants and bars.
Santa Catarina Island
The beaches on this island in the south of Brazil are some of the world's best. Stay in nearby Florianópolis, a cosmopolitan, modern city.
Brasilia
Brazil's capital, in the country's central highlands, features World Heritage modernist architecture.