Antarctica Holidays

Dominated by the vast Amazon jungle, Brazil is South America's largest country and the world's fifth largest. With 90% of the country sprawled between the equator and tropic of Capricorn it also comprises vast areas of forest, wetland and beach. The latter is where you'll find immense vibrant cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo, whereas nine other cities boast over a million Brazilians each.

Brazil's urban society is multi-cultural, with influences from Europe and Africa blending with the native culture. It is a lively country, where activity and adventure combine with natural wonders on a large scale.

Rio De Janeiro

Affectionately known by the locals as 'Cidade Marvilhosa', Rio is spectacularly situated on the southern shore of Guanabara Bay, fringed by white sand beach and overlooked by jungle-covered peaks. Rio also boasts one of the most recognisable features of the country in Corcovado Mountain, atop of which rests the astounding statue of Christ the Redeemer, while the view from Sugar Loaf Mountain is hard to surpass. Zona Sul (the southern sector) is home to the legendary beaches of Copacabana and just a few hours along the coast lay the rolling hills and tropical beaches of the Costa Verde as well as the cobbled streets of picturesque colonial Paraty.

Carnaval

'Carnaval' is a hugely impressive and lively time to visit Brazil, when the streets are crowded with dancers and party-goers, and the competing samba schools costumes are alive with colour, moving to the pulsating rhythm of the parade. Forthcoming dates are 25-28 February 2006 and 17-20 February 2007; high demand means that early booking is recommended.

Amazonia

Over half of Brazil is blanketed by the Amazon forest; a vast wonder that extends onwards into nine countries. The actual 'Rio Amazonas' stretches between Manaus and Belem, eventually spilling its muddy silt as far as 200 km out into the Atlantic Ocean. This magnificent body of fresh water, which is unsurpassed globally in size, can lay claim to some mind-boggling statistics; stretching almost 6500 km in length and at points reaching more than 10 km across, its sheer size is hard to comprehend. Incredibly it is here that over a quarter of the planet's known animal and plant species live, with doubtless many more treasures hidden still deeper within the untouched realms.

The Pantanal

Bordered by Bolivia the Pantanal is the world's biggest inland swamp and periodically flooded grassland sui generis, located within the Mato Grosso state. Inhabited by colourful noisy parrots, armadillos, howler monkeys, giant river otters, jaguars, pumas, and tuiuiu (giant red-necked storks – also known as jabiru) amongst other exotic species, this is a nature-lovers' paradise. Due to its immense size (incredibly the area is larger than France) horseback, jeep, or canoe are preferred methods of transportation.

Order a brochure    Newsletter    Book Now!    DTW Group

Antarctica  •  Arctic  •  Canada  •  Faroes  •  Finland  •  Galapagos  •  Greenland  •  Iceland  •  Lapland  •  New Zealand  •  Norway  •  Svalbard  •  Sweden  •  Living Planet

© Discover the World. 2007. For any queries concerning this site, please contact our Webmaster.

Home » Extensions » Brazil