About Brazil
Occupying nearly half of the land area of South America, Brazil is the second most populous country in the Americas after the United States. Featuring settlements believed to date from 9000 BC, the land that is now Brazil had a population of between two and six million people when the Europeans arrived in the 1500s. Embarking on April 22, 1500, a navy under the command of Pedro Alvares Cabral set out on the route drawn by the Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama and landed in South America. The Brazilian region was originally known as Vera Cruz (True Cross) by the Europeans and later renamed Brazil after the region’s endemic Pau Brasil tree.
Getting to Brazil
It takes about 13 hours to fly from Istanbul to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport. For more information, you can visit the Brazil flight ticket page.
When to visit Brazil
Brazil’s spring season – between September and October – is a delightful time to visit, preceding the country’s hot, humid summers. If you plan to visit the Amazon region, consider timing your trip between July and September. The world-famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro takes place in February.
Brazil’s location
Brazil features a 7,400-kilometer coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and borders all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador.
Brazil’s capital and its two largest cities
The capital of Brazil: Brasilia
Let us begin our tour with Brasilia. In 1987, the Brazilian capital, with its magnificent city plan and architecture, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established on an arid plateau, Brasilia was intended to be a capital city in the heart of the nation, replacing the country’s previous capital, Rio de Janeiro, in 1960. Designed by noted Brazilian architect Lucio Costa, Brasilia is considered by many architectural authorities to be the best-planned city in the world. The Square of the Three Powers (Praça dos Três Poderes), the Cathedral of Brasilia, the Museum of Indigenous People (Memorial dos Povos Indígenas) and the Dom Bosco Sanctuary (Santuario Dom Bosco), a fascinating structure with numerous windows, are among the city’s highlights. As well, the breathtaking Brasilia National Park (Parque Nacional de Brasília) is a must-see in Brasilia.
São Paulo
São Paulo is Brazil’s most populous city and the capital of São Paulo state. As a center for commerce, education and industry, São Paulo also offers an urban texture complemented by a lively arts and culture scene. Some of the city’s highlights include the São Paulo Museum of Art (Museu de Arte) and the City Theatre (Theatro Municipal), the largest theater in the region. In addition, Ibirapuera Park (Parque do Ibirapuera), the São Paulo Football Museum (Museo do Futebol) and the Mercado Municipal are all worth visiting and within the city’s borders, as is the Japanese Quarter (Liberdade), which houses the most qualified art collection in South America.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, the former capital of Brazil, is the country’s second-largest city after São Paulo. This popular destination hosts the world-renowned Rio Carnival, the iconic Ipanema Beach, and the imposing Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor). While the Carnival takes place only in February, Ipanema Beach and the mountaintop stature are notable highlights year-round. Other highlights of Rio include the Botanical Garden, Maracanã Stadium (Maracanã), the National Museum and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Dining in Brazil
Vibrant and flavorful, Brazilian cuisine is popular worldwide. Some of the country’s most well-known dishes include:
- Empanada, a baked or fried pastry filled with seafood, minced meat, or chicken.
- Churrasco, essentially a barbecue featuring a variety of grilled meats.
- Feijoada, a traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans and a variety of meats and sausages.
- Pao de queijo, miniature cheese buns.
Practical information about Brazil
The capital of Brazil: Brasilia
Brazil’s official language: Portuguese
Brazilian currency: Brazilian real
