The word "Brazil" comes from brazilwood, a tree that once grew plentifully along the Brazilian coast. In Portuguese, brazilwood is called pau-brasil, with the word brasil commonly given the etymology "red like an ember", formed from Latin brasa ("ember") and the suffix -il (from -iculum or -ilium). As brazilwood produces a deep red dye, it was highly valued by the European cloth industry and was the earliest commercially exploited product from Brazil. Throughout the 16th century, massive amounts of brazilwood were harvested by indigenous peoples (mostly Tupi) along the Brazilian coast, who sold the timber to European traders (mostly Portuguese, but also French) in return for assorted European consumer goods. The official name of the land, in original Portuguese records, was the "Land of the Holy Cross" (Terra da Santa Cruz), but European sailors and merchants commonly called it simply the "Land of Brazil" (Terra do Brasil) on account of the brazilwood trade. The popular appellation eclipsed and eventually supplanted the official name. Early sailors sometimes also called it the "Land of Parrots" (Terra di Papaga). In the Guarani language, an official language of Paraguay, Brazil is called "Pindorama". This was the name the indigenous population gave to the region, meaning "land of the palm trees".
1. Rio de Janeiro
There is no destination on earth more animated and exciting than Rio de Janeiro. Located in southeastern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city of South America due to its famous mountain, landmarks, beaches and carnival festival. Rio de Janeiro is situated on one of the world's largest harbors surrounded by natural attractions that include the Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains and famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema. The city's iconic landmark is the enormous Christ the Redeemer statue sitting a top Corcovado mountain.
2. Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is a beautiful archipelago with pristine beaches, landscapes and wildlife, situated 354km (220 miles) off the northeastern coast in Brazil. The archipelago was discovered by Amerigo Vespucci in 1503 and temporarily occupied by the Dutch and Frech before Portugal established dominion in 1737. Today only the largest of the 21 islands is inhabited with a population of about 3,500. The islands are a Mecca for divers and snorkelers with warm waters year-round and very good visibilty even at depths of 50 meters.
3. Salvador Beaches
Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia, with an attractive colonial town, a vibrant musical scene and loads of exceptional beaches all around. The beaches range from calm inlets, ideal for swimming, diving and sailing as well as open sea inlets with strong waves, popular with surfers. There are also beaches surrounded by reefs, forming natural pools of stone, ideal for children.
4. Foz do Iguacu
One of the world's most stunning natural wonders, Iguazu Falls is a series of magnificent waterfalls located on the Iguazu River, straddling the border between Brazil and Argentina. The falls in and of themselves are a breathtaking spectacle, but their beauty is all the more enhanced by the surrounding lush forest teeming in exotic wildlife. The gateway to falls on the Brazilian side is Foz do Iguacu, a big and reasonably safe city by Brazilian standards.
5. Recife
Nicknamed the 'Venice of Brazil' because its numerous waterways and bridges, Recife is the capital of the Pernambuco state and one of the largest and most important cities on Brazil's northeastern coast. Situated amid tropical forests wih many islands and rivers, Recife is a popular tourist destination because of its scenery, historic old town, beaches and vibrant culture.
6. Parati
A paradise of tropical forests, waterfalls, emerald sea and constant mountains, Parati is a popular tourist attraction located along Brazil's Green Coast in the Rio de Janeiro state. Also spelled Paraty, this beautiful city is a former Portugese colony established on the shores of the Bay of Ilha Grande.
7. Florianopolis
Florianopolis or Floripa as it is affectionately known, is a city which straddles the mainland and the island of Santa Catarina. The city's colonial part has cobbled streets and colonial architecture, as well as a historical museum, a cathedral and the Mercado Municipal, which is not to be missed for its delicious local fruits and products. It is whale-watching season here from July to October as it is at this time that southern right whales breed in the bay.
8. Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro
Arpoador, one of the most visited beaches in Brazil, is a neighborhood sandwiched between two of the popular beaches, viz. Copacabana and Ipanema. The beach offers stunning views of the sunset and is highly-picked by the families and surfers. This 500m-long beach featuring crystalline water, is somewhat quieter than the other beaches. Equipped with floodlights for night surfing and about 3m-tall breakers, the Arpoador Beach is regarded as the best surf spot in Rio. The imposing Arpoador Rock is the main highlight of the beach. This rock was named after the Portuguese settlers and locals of Brazil, who used to hunt whales from the rock using a harpoon to strike them. The word Arpoador means “harpoon thrower.” The rocks at the beach have trails for a leisure walk. From here you can also enjoy the views of the sunrise and sunset. People also love to dive into the sea from the cliffs. As the Arpoador beach is located in the center of the Rio’s panoramic coastline, it offers stunning views of the lights of Ipanema, Leblon, and Vidigal flashing underneath the peaks of Dois Irmãos, and of the Copacabana beach. The nightlife at the beach is interesting. The views of the beach illumined with the gleaming lights are magical. The 24-hour Zona Sul supermarket of Copacabana, along with some bars and shops is at a walking distance from the beach. There are two mini skateboarding bowls in the Garota da Ipanema Park, that overlooks the beach. The MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) artists perform in the concerts hosted by the park. Some of the popular restaurants at the beach include Koni Store, and Restaurant Arpoador. The beach Arpoador is also famous for its discos. Xangri Lá, Inn Arpoador Buzios, Arpoador Inn, Hotel Cristal Palace, and Hotel Fasano are some of the best places to stay on the beach. At Hotel Fasano, you may get a glimpse of celebrities like Lenny Kravitz, and Beyoncé.
9. Sao Paulo Aquarium
The Sao Paulo Aquarium is located in a residential neighborhood of Sao Paulo City in Brazil. It takes approximately 13 minutes to reach the aquarium from the Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in Avenida Washington Luís, Sao Paulo (via North-South Corridor and Rua Luis Gois). You can reach the aquarium by a car, a bus, or Subway. Board on the 5108-10 JD CELESTE bus and get down at R. Vieira de Almeida, 223, located at a walking distance of 275 meters from the aquarium. The Green Line – Santos-Imigrantes Subway station is located at a walking distance of 590 meters from the aquarium.
10. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Located on the eastern coast of the state of Maranhão by the banks of the Preguiças River, the park embraces the municipalities of Humberto de Campos, Primeira Cruz, Santo Amaro do Maranhão and Barreirinhas, the latest serving as the main jumping off point into the protected park. There are several regular bus/truck routes between Barreirinhas and São Luís, Brazil (Maranhão's capital), a distance of about 260 km (160 mi). There are also air taxis from São Luís to Barreirinhas. The Rio Preguiças river connects the park to Atins, a small town at the southern edge of the park. The most important access roads near the park are BR-135, BR-222, MA-404, and MA-225. The National Park is quite extensive and has no direct access roads. Because of the nature of the park's protected status, most vehicles are not permitted access. Entrance to the park is made exclusively by 4-wheel drive trucks.
Written by,
HELMI SYAFIZAN BIN JOHARI
A13A1448
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