Brazil: Why To Go
Brazil is a fascinating and diverse country and is currently considered the fourth largest tourist destination in North and South America. There are many reasons why to go, but the main attractions for tourists are ecotourism, leisure, adventure travel, historic and cultural tourism, as well as recreation in the sun and on the beaches. This article will talk about some of the most popular attractions in the vast country that is Brazil.
The Amazon Rainforest
Over 60% of the Amazon Rainforest is located in Brazil, with other parts of it stretching into Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It covers a territory of 1.4 billion acres. The Amazon Rainforest is often called the "lungs of the Earth" as it is responsible for the oxygen production of most of the planet.
Tourism to the Amazon Rainforest is made exciting by the vast and virtually uncountable biodiversity and is one of the biggest reasons why to go to Brazil. The rainforest is home to millions of species of plants and animals, some of which are completely unique to the area and have not evolved anywhere else. In fact, as much as 20% of all the world's species of flora and fauna are to be found in the rivers and jungles of the Amazon.
There are many ways to explore the Amazon. One of the most popular is to live there. Local communities and villages run services for tourists that have been dubbed EcoLodges. They provide many different opportunities and styles of living, from luxury hotels and villas equipped with swimming pools, air conditioning, phones and saunas, to the rugged and wild setting of huts that are built close to the ground from natural materials such as wood or jungle vegetation.
It's also possible to take cruises in the Amazon that traverse the length of the rivers. These can be anywhere from a multi-day cruise to just a few short hours. You can also do many activities in the Amazon, such as helicopter or small plane bird's eye view flights, sky-diving, boating, fishing, hunting and even deep jungle exploration.
Brazilian Cities
The number one tourist destination as a city in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. It's name means "River of January" in English and is often just called "Rio" for short. The city was the capital of Brazil for over 200 years starting in the 18th century and was the base of operations for the Portuguese colonization efforts in South America.
Rio is a vibrant and bustling metropolis that encompasses many different cultures and histories - Indigenous, Hispanic and African. It is famous for its carnivals, samba, Bossa Nova, beaches and stunning landmarks such as that of the statue of Christ the Redeemer which greets visitors towering over the mountain overlooking the bay.
One reason why to go to Brazil, especially in the upcoming years, is because it will be the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazil is undergoing major developments to prepare for this event and will also be hosting the final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In the next few years and in the future, Brazil is definitely the place to be.
Brazil is an amazing country and is cleaning itself up for the Olympic and World Cup in 2016. Matt has visited the country many tips and has excellent tips on visiting Brazil and it's most popular destination, Rio De Janeiro.