Brazil. 1) Introduction What comes to mind when you think about Brazil????? Brazil – lush rain forests, worlds greatest beaches, warm cosmopolitan cities.

Brazil

1) Introduction

• What comes to mind when you think about Brazil?????

• Brazil – lush rain forests, worlds greatest beaches, warm cosmopolitan cities.

• North – largely Amazon jungle landscape and Amazon river – largest river in the world.

• South East – cultural, commercial and industrial. • Here you can find Sao Paulo – one of the largest

cities of the world.

1) Introduction

• South – agricultural, coffee growing is found.• Central and western regions- lush wilderness

– Capital city – Brasilia – modern, unusual city, that attracts few tourists.

• Refer to your GSA for more info – Page 318.

2) Airports

• Galeao International (GIG) Airport in Rio de Janeiro – main gateway

• National Airline – Varig (RG) • Rio – domestic airport – Dumont Airport (SDU)• Sao Paulo – Gaurulhos International Airport

(GRU) and Viracopos International Airport (VCP) • Brazil – has major air service throughout the

country with airports at most major destinations.

3) Other modes of transport

• Another way to visit Brazil is via a Long cruise – from Miami, San Juan or New York

• Intercity buses – less expensive, but not up to standard and crowded.

• Driving can be hectic – cities are crowded, streets are confusing, heavy rains can wash out roads.

• Train are very limited.

3) Other modes of transport • Brazil has extensive waterways – ships and boats

offer alternative means of transport. • Famous water journey – up the Amazon to

Manaus. • Many cruise liners include this adventurous trip

as apart of their itineraries. • Private cars – safer, more reliable but more

expensive than taxies. • Tour packages – include multiple forms if

transportation.

4) Weather Patterns

• Brazil – has 3 climates • The Amazon Basin (Belem and Manaus) year

round temperature 80-90 degrees (30°c) – high humidity and rain most of the year.

• Plateau area (where Iguazu Falls) – hotter, less rain and humidity, nights can be cool.

• Coast region (Rio) – little cooler, sea breeze offsets humidity, showers can occur and time.

• Seasons opposite North America.

5) Important Places 5.1) Rio de Janeiro

• One of the worlds greatest cities• Stunning location, oddly shaped mountains,

picturesque lagoon, lush vegetation, superb beaches and glistening Atlantic Ocean.

• Cosmopolitan city, rich culture, warm people, wonderful cuisine, frenetic night life, elegant charm.

• However it is not picture perfect – very crowded, slums, plenty of crime and unpredictable economy.

5.1) Rio de Janeiro

• Attractions:– Sugar Loaf – strangely shaped mountain, cities

landmark, beautiful views, reached by cable cars, best to go week days – less crowded.

– Tijuca National Park – worlds largest urban forested national park.

– World renowned beaches – most notably Copacabana (biggest), Ipanema and Leblon.

– Botanical Gardens – rich collection of plants and trees brought by Portuguese navigators.

5.1) Rio de Janeiro• Corcovado Mountains – here you can find the Christ the

Redeemer statue – famous landmark, offers astounding views.

• Carnival – 4 day festival, city shuts down, no one sleeps or does anything else.

• Day trips from Rio: • Sao Paulo – business and industrial center, world class

international restaurants, shopping, museums and nightlife.

• Problems – traffic , pollution and crime. • Sacred Art Museum – largest collection of religious art

outside the Vatican. • MASP museum – impressionist paintings.

5.1) Rio de Janeiro

• Guarija – sophisticated beach town, day trip from Sao Paulo.

• Petropolis – once a summer retreat emperor of Portugal, Imperial Palace, drive from Rio to Petropolis – very scenic.

• Costa Verde – beautiful costal town between Rio and Santos, beaches are quieter than Rio.

• Iguazu Falls – breathtaking attraction, Brazils border, 2 night stay, short flight from Rio.

5.2) The Amazon

• Trip up the Amazon – legendry tourist adventure.

• Amazon River – 4000 miles long, 8 miles wide. • Jungles and lush rain forests – home to

wildlife seen nowhere else on earth. • Fishing villages and small islands found near

the river. • Few major cities along the way- Manaus,

Belem and Santarem ( PAGE 218)

5.3) Salvador

• Capital of the Bahia district• Strong African heritage• Coastal city – fine climate, excellent beaches,

old neighborhoods, fine museums, 365 churches.

• City is connected by the Lacerda Elevator• Views are gorgeous, locals are friendly, unique

African European cuisine, holds a festive Carnival just like Rio.

5.3) Salvador

• Interesting sites: • Many churches – Basilica Cathedral, St. Francis

Church, Church of our lord of the good ending. • Mercado Modelo – buy silver, rosewood and

fabric souvenirs. • Superb Beaches – beat are Itapoa and Piata. • Day trips from Salvador: • Excursions – numerous islands off the coast,

Itaparica – best known, quiet, lovely, undeveloped.

5.3) Salvador

• Recife – can be compared to Venice – because of its canals, bridges, however still normal vehicle traffic. Classical churches, old forts, prison which has been turned into a shopping center, great beaches.

• Olinda – artist colony• Fortaleza – beach area that has grown with

popularity.

6) Lodging

• Hotels in Brazil – range from deluxe, budget and lower down the ladder.

• During Carnival – everything is expensive.• Major luxury chains – Othon, Luxor – popular

first class chain.• Largest hotel grouping – along Copacabana

Beach. Others could be found – Ipanema Beach, Leblon Beach and Gavea Beach.

6) Lodging • Most Sao Paulo hotels – western part of the city. • Salvador – can save money by staying away from

the beach. • Iguazu Falls – most hotels are near the falls, some

offer direct views of the falls, hotels located in nearby towns.

• Alternative lodging in Rio – furnished apartments called apartotels, complete hotel service.

• There are also ranches and lodges in may areas of the country.

7) Factors that motivate visitors

• Refer to Page 221 of textbook.

8) Possible Misgivings

• There`s malaria, cholera and other diseases in the Amazon.

• They only speak Portuguese.• I`m afraid to drink the water• I wont like Brazilian food.• There is a lot of street crime.