Brazil: Overview
The Federative Republic of Brazil is buond to almost every South American country. To the north it shares borders with Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French Guiana; to the south it is bounded to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, its east coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and it limits with Bolivia and Peru to the west.
Brasilia is the current capital of the country, it is also the third Brazilian city to have played this rol. The oficial language is Portuguese and the currency is the “real” (R $).
Clmate
Due to its extension Brazilian climate is varied. As we get away from the arid interior of the country and come closer to the Amazons and the oriental coast, we feel the tropic climate overtaking. The rainy season takes place at different times of the year according to the area; between January and April the rains fall down on the north, from April to June the northwestern area is the most rainy and from November to March it rains on Rio and Sâo Paulo.
What to see
Brazil is conformed by different States and all of them have something interesting to offer since tourism has developed and become one of the main economic resources of the country over the last years. These are some of the things that we cannot forget to see in our visit to the country:
The best time of the year to go to Rio de Janeiro is during Carnival (between the end of February and the begining of March), this is one of the most attractive festivals of Brazil. In this State you can also visit the famous Maracanâ, painted in light blue in honor of Uruguay, unexpected protagonist of the unforgettable "maracanazo" in the '50s.
The Amazon State and its capital Manaos, built in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, are between the most exuberant and incredible destinations of the planet, altough this magnificent rainforest is being threatened by men’s uncontrolled deforestations.
In Santa Catarina you can enjoy the famous beaches of Camboriu and Florianopolis. However, in other areas of the Brazilian coastline you can find less crowded beaches to relax by the beautiful and pleasant sea.
The State of Paraná features Foz do Iguaçu, home of beautiful national parks and wonderful waterfalls, sheared by Barzil and Argentina.
Bahía, with the Fiesta do Bofim, and Sâo Paulo are also attractive destinations.
There is something for adventurous people and peace lovers
Along with tourism some sports have become very popular. Raffting, hang gliding, surf and diving, are ideal for adventurous tourists, while others like fishing, trekking, whale watching, golf and nautical, cultural or religious tourism are a good choice for peace lovers.
Some things to consider before travelling
For people coming from Angola, Bolivia, Benin, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Cameroon, French Guiana, Congo, Peru, Gabonese Republic, Venezuela, Republic of Gambia, Chana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Lioness and Sudan be admitted to Brazil, they must be vaccineted against yellow fever. This vaccine is also advisable (not obligatory) for people coming from Acre, Amapa, Amazons, Bahia, Federal District, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Sâo Paulo and Tocantins.
Beside the vaccine and if the person comes from another area of the Amazons or the Mato Grosso it is good to consider some protection against malaria and other tropical illnesses such as tetanus, typhus and hepatitis.
It is not a good idea to take faucet water or to consume vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully washed.
Last but not least, in Brazil, like in all countries with tropical areas, it is necessary to prevent the stings of mosquitos since they transmit dengue among other illnesses that can be lethal if not being treated on time.
