Brazil - the largest in area and population of a country in South America, occupying the eastern and central part of the continent. From the east by the Atlantic Ocean, which owns several islands. Brazil has rightly called a country of contrasts: lush rainforests are side by side with massive mountains, great rivers - the desert plateau, and roaring waterfalls - a quiet and inviting ocean bays. In big cities, the offices of major Western corporations, and in the forests of the Amazon, some Indian tribes still live in the Stone Age. At first glance Brazil appears relaxed place from the hot sun of life, football and carnival all year round. But the value of Brazilian reality - only part of its multi-faceted present.

The climate of Brazil
 
Throughout the country there are three climatic zones - equatorial, tropical and subtropical. The hottest area is the north-east. The most favorable weather is observed from January to May: +22 +24 ° C at night and +28 +30 ° C. From September to December, the average nighttime temperature is +25 ° C, day +32 +34 ° C. The driest months - August, September, October.

Money in Brazil

The Brazilian real (BRL) is composed of 100 centavos. In circulation are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 reais and coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 real.

Traditions in Brazil
 

Every year in late February, before Lent, the whole Brazil is immersed in the most bustling, bright and cheerful holiday, the most spectacular show on the planet - Carnival. In the "epicenter" of Brazilian Carnival (Rio and Salvador) aircraft delivered daily by thousands of tourists from the U.S., Argentina and Europe. Salvador usually takes about 600-700 thousand foreigners, Rio - around a million. The origins of Carnival and go to the ritual dances of Africa, the pulsating rhythms of which were brought to Brazil along with millions of black slaves and Portuguese in the annual "entrudo" - humorous street processions with the obligatory throwing at passers-cakes, sand, eggs and flour, and the Italian masquerades and Spanish fiestas, and Native American rituals. The holiday begins far away from Rio, in the town of Olinda, where the parade of the oldest dance school "virgins" (250 men dressed in women's clothes). Their performance is non-stop 10 hours. The main event of the carnival - the parade of samba schools in Rio de Janeiro.

Cuisine of Brazil
 


National cuisine emerged from European, African and Indian culinary traditions. There are very popular, "feyzhoada" - a selection of black beans, meat, vegetables, flour and spices, thick puree, "Tutu" from the beans and meat, marinated and fried liver "sarapatel" and sun-dried meat "carne-do-sol" . Hundreds of species of exotic herbs and fruits give the dish a very unusual taste. Drinks in Brazil is also very original. Dozens of species of cold soft drinks and fruit from the fruit of tropical forest produce throughout the country. Also popular beer, rum, vodka, "Cachaça" and lemon cocktail "Caipirinha."

Things to Do in Brazil


Brazilia



Brasilia - the youngest capital city in the world, built in the 50s of last century, though the dream of the perfect human technopolis. The general configuration of the city, which is often compared with the shape of an airplane or a bow and arrow was developed Lusiu Costa. Center "fuselage" occupies an area of ​​the three powers - a surprising combination of architectural taste, balance, proportion, strength and elegance. "Wings" up residential areas. Each of them is autonomous and has its own church, shopping street, their schools and parking lots. In the "nose" is Aurora's Palace - the residence of the President.

Amazon


Amazon lowland stretches from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean and between the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands, the deepest in the basin of the river Amazon the world. The largest lowland on the planet (5 million sq. km.) Is famous for its extraordinary beauty of the primitive, which is teeming with living creatures in the jungle (rain forest) and in the river. The hot and humid climate favors the growth of lush tropical flora, which violate the peace of the cries of monkeys and parrots. Here you can feel like a brave explorer, bloodthirsty catch piranhas, crocodiles hunt at night, waking to hear the sounds of the forest at dawn and wander through the jungle with an experienced guide.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls - a unique creation of nature, which includes 270 large flows. The drop height is 60-80 feet of water. The name Iguazu comes from the words in the language of the Guarani y (water) and guasu (large). Legend has it that God wanted to marry a beautiful aboriginal named Naipú, but she fled with her lover in a canoe. In anger, God cut the river, dooming to eternal love fall. Falls are located on the border of the Argentine and Brazilian national parks "Iguazu", which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro ("January River") - the former capital and the most visited city in Brazil. Noisy, bustling and ever kosmpolitichny Rio striking ultra-modern architecture, an abundance of greenery in the streets and lots of exotic flowers. Hallmark of the city is a huge statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado. At the entrance to Guanabara Bay stands another symbol of the city - a rock Pau de Asukar ("Sugarloaf", 395 m) with its top reaching to the cable car. Old Town is filled with colonial-style buildings: Customs, Docks, Arsenal, the Exchange, the area of ​​Largo di Botikariu, the National Academy of Arts, City Hall, the cobblestone streets of the quarter of Santa Teresa, the aqueduct Arses de Lapa (1732), the palace Museum of Emperor João VI, the imperial palace on the square "XV November" and the palace Tiradentis. Of particular interest to churches and monasteries of the city - Sao Bento (1617-1693 gg.), San Antonio (XVIII c.), Capuchin monastery, the church of the Lord of Glory (1714) with the Museum of Religious Art, St. Lucia (1732 ), the Archbishop's Cathedral (1808), Church of the Lord's Passion, the Church of the Virgin (1929) and others.