Brazil

Capital		Brasília 15°45′S 47°57′W
Largest city		São Paulo
Official language(s)		Portuguese
Demonym		Brazilian
Government		Presidential Federal republic
Area
-	Total	8,514,877 km2 (5th) 3,287,597 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.65
Population
-	2009 estimate	192,272,890[1] (5th)
-	2007 census	189,987,291
-	Density	22/km2 (182nd) 57/sq mi
-	Per capita	$7,737[2] (63rd)
Currency		Real (R$) (BRL)
Time zone		BRT[5] (UTC-2 to -4[5])

Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil^[6][7] (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil,  listen (help·info)), is the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.^[8] It is the fifth largest country by geographical area and the fifth most populous country in the world.^[8][9]

Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 kilometers (4,655 mi).^[8] It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos are part of the Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz.^[8]

Geography

Brazil occupies a large area along the eastern coast of South America and includes much of the continent's interior,^[147] sharing land borders with Uruguay to the south; Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest; Bolivia and Peru to the west; Colombia to the northwest; and Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and the French overseas department of French Guiana to the north. It shares a border with every country in South America except for Ecuador and Chile. It also encompasses a number of oceanic archipelagos, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz.^[8] Its size, relief, climate, and natural resources make Brazil geographically diverse.^[147]

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, after Russia, Canada, China and the United States, and third largest in the Americas; with a total area of 8,514,876.599 square kilometers (3,287,612 sq mi) ^[148], including 55,455 square kilometers (21,411 sq mi) of water.^[8] It spans three time zones; from UTC-4 in the western states, to UTC-3 in the eastern states (and the official time of Brazil), and UTC-2 in the Atlantic islands.^[5]

Brazil has a dense and complex system of rivers, one of the world's most extensive, with eight major drainage basins, all of which drain into the Atlantic.^[150] Major rivers include the Amazon (the world's second-longest river and the largest in terms of volume of water), the Paraná and its major tributary the Iguaçu (which includes the Iguazu Falls), the Negro, São Francisco, Xingu, Madeira and Tapajós rivers.^[150]

Sightseeing in Brazil

There are a number of major tourist attractions in Brazil. Chalk out your plan beforehand in order to make your tour to Brazil a really memorable one. You can visit the destinations at your own, or else, you can also go for some package tours. Plenty of Brazil packages are available; you just need to choose one that suits you the most.

Rio de Janeiro

Adorned with the title, cidade maravilhosa, which means a marvelous city, Rio de Janeiro is a city with majestic beauty. It is one of the most densely populated places on earth. The city has got areas snuggled up between a splendid bay and immaculate world famous beaches on one side, and a swiftly risen mountain range, roofed by a lavish tropical forest on the other. This city has got a varied and diverse culture and life.

The inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro are called Carioca, who all time thrive on dancing, drinking, strolling at beaches, and playing under the sun. Rio is full of tourist attractions. There is a good collection of museums that houses the whole lot of ancient objects and Brazilian artifacts. The charming long-standing neighborhoods, striking parks and gardens, and remarkable mountain views cannot be missed either.

Brasilia

Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, is one of the world's most ruthless and planned cities. It officially became the capital in 1960. Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the major official buildings. The city, which was otherwise dry, yellow and barren, was changed into an attractive one in the time span of just three years, from 1957to 1960.

Foz do Iguaçu or the Iguaçu Falls

The Iguacu falls is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Brazil, attracting thousands of travelers from all parts of the world. It has got an unsurpassed beauty, as it widens in a grand fashion and arcs around a wonderful jungle stage. It further plunges and crashes down in the layered falls at the boundary with Paraguay and Argentina. The falls, with a width of over 3km and height of around 262 feet, should be visited best during August through November.

Salvador da Bahia

Salvador da Bahia was once the most important city in Brazil. Founded in 1549, the state of Bahia, which is often used for abbreviation to Salvador, is currently the most Africanized state in Brazil. Salvador is a charming city and one of the most culturally rich places in Brazil. Salvador is known for its churches, gorgeous mansions and the trade of slaves. Its numerous wild festivals and universal aestheticism and profligacy are also quite popular with the tourists.

São Paulo

São Paulo is South America's largest city and an intimidating place. The industrial growth and cultural variety of the city have made this place home to several well-cultured and well-educated people of the country. The liveliness of the local inhabitants would definitely add more color to your travel experience here. The popular tourist attractions here include Niemeyer's Edifício Copan, the baroque Teatro Municipal, the Patío do Colégio and the Museu de Arte de Sáo Paulo (MASP) etc.

It should be added here that while visiting Brazil, you would find plenty of options for accommodation. There are a number of hotels in Brazil that cater to the needs for accommodation for all sorts of tourists

Amazonia National Park
Covering an impressive 7 of Brazil's 27 states, "The Green Inferno" covers almost 40 per cent of Brazil's total landmass. Although parts of the Amazon cover countries bordering Brazil (notably Bolivia, Colombia, Guiana and Peru), it is to Brazil that most tourist come if they want to take in the splendors of this most magnificent natural wonder. Things to do in the Amazon include bird watching, trekking/hiking, climbing and taking boat journeys along the river. Without doubt, a tour to Brazil is incomplete without a trip to the Amazon.

Iguassu Falls or Iguacu Falls 
Sometimes described as being one of the 7 natural Wonders of the World; in fact, Iguassu Falls are neither the widest waterfall in the world, nor are they the tallest. However, what it lacks in width and height it makes up for elsewhere. On the Parana River, the falls act as a natural border to the countries of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and compose of 275 cataracts in total. Best time of year to see the IguacuFalls is between October and December and as this is such a magnificent sight, it is highly recommended that you make arrangements to stay at least one night here before moving on to your next destination!

Manaus
Located right in heart of the Amazonian Basin, Manaus is a popular destination for tourists looking for excursions into the exotic heartland of the Amazon. However, what was once considered to be one of the greatest wilderness outposts in the world is, as a result of years of over construction, no longer able to claim this title.

Nonetheless, Manaus does offer two great attractions to its tourist visitors. The first is obviously the chance to travel further into the Amazon Basin, the second is the chance to see some of the world's largest sea-going ships come to port some one thousand miles inland, where they load and unload their wares (which are then taken, or brought from, further inside the Amazon!).

Recife
Located on the Gold Coast of Brazil (northeastern Brazil), Recife is a famous tourist destination for the package tourist. Recife is also well known for the number of canals and bridges that criss-cross this city. The city also has a number of good museums and churches. However, no visit to Recife is complete without a visit to the town's old prison - to make your visit there more interesting, it's now a shopping complex!

Sao Luis
Named after Louis XIII (of France), Sao Luis is considered one of Brazil's most beautiful cities. The city's architecture is very colonial - it was founded by a French pirate -with magnificent churches and palaces. Sao Luis is nothing short of charming and delightful fusion of all the cultures of Brazil - African, indigenous and Portuguese. This beautiful little town is well worth going out of your way to visit.