Brazil Overview

From the fiery passion that is Carnival to the secrets of the dark Amazon, Brazil is a country with a palpable energy. It emanates first from the people, so passionate and full of life, and then stretches to the expanses of unexplored rainforest, pristine tropical beaches, and winding rivers, finally culminating in the heart of the cities. Tourists should not miss the thundering Igaussu Falls, a spectacular natural wonder, and if shopping is on the agenda, Brazil's major cities are filled with weekend markets and cosmopolitan malls. Of course, many make Brazil a destination just to indulge in the food alone!
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Travel Facts

Population
184,184,000

Capital
Brasília

Currency
Real

Time Zone
U.S. Central Standard Time + 1 Hour

Weather
Brazil's climate varies from hot and dry in the arid interior to the hot tropical rain forests of the Amazon jungle. Coastal Brazil is mostly hot and humid for most of the year, but it can get very cold in the south and in the mountains during the winter months. The wet season is from January to April in the north, April to July in the northeast and November to March in the Rio/São Paulo.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Rio's Botanical Garden is an enchanting place to spend an afternoon - but bring a camera. It's six ponds, crowded with gorgeous species of of vitória régia, lotus and papyrus, are magnificent sight that you'll want to capture. In Ipanema, you can have drinks at the bar called Garota de Ipanema, where the actual girl from Ipanema passed by each day, inspiring Antonio Jobim to write his famous song. The neighborhood of Ipanema is also home to Sunday craft markets (known as the Hippie Fair), galleries and fabulous jewelry shops. When the sun sets, it's time for Rio's famed nightlife to begin. It's all here – beautiful people, great food and a progressive mix of bars, lounges, sophisticated clubs and special events.

Restaurant and Cuisine Listings

Mr Ôpi, Rio
Mr Ôpi's can be crowded, but once you taste the food, you'll understand why. The special light-cuisine dishes cater to those who want to eat healthy, but there are plenty of mouth-watering choices for those who want to indulge as well. Cheeses, pastas and tasty meat and fish dishes are served fresh from the grill. On Fridays, try the buffet.

Aprazíve, Rio
Part of the draw of Aprazíve is its location – a charming house. The restaurant takes up several rooms but try to dine in the garden where you'll delight in the view of downtown Rio and the Bay of Guanabara. Brazilian cuisine is the order of the day, with a nod to tropical flavors.

Sobrenatura, Rio
Seafood lovers fawn over Sobrenatura's famous shrimp dumpling appetizers (pasteis de camarão). The main menu offers several grilled fish dishes, but moqueca is the house specialty featuring your choice of fish in a steaming hot stew with coconut milk, palm oil, shrimp sauce and rice. The Seafood spaghetti is a nice twist on and old favorite, too.

Culture & Heritage

The fifth-largest country in the world, Brazil's core culture is rooted in the culture of Portugal. Portuguese colonists brought over the Portuguese language and many or the traditions and customs that influence Brazilian society yet today. Important cultural additions also came from other parts of Europe, creating a diverse multiethnic society. Famous for its leather goods and shoes, Brazil is also heralded for its wonderful coffee, intricate laces and artifacts from indigenous tribes. But perhaps Brazil is most famous for its musical rhythms and seductive dances like the samba and lambada.

Famous Brazilians – Spotlight on Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil

Nicknamed, The Redeemer, Isabel was heir to the throne during the last decades of the reign of her father, Pedro II of Brazil. In 1888, she signed the law establishing the total abolition of slavery, forever cementing her place in the heart of Argentineans.