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Attraction of Brazil
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Botanical Gardens |
Rio's Botanical Gardens were created in 1808 by the Prince Regent of
Portugal as a temporary site for acclimatising imported plants.
Today it is home to some 2,600 species of plant life, particularly
bromeliads and orchids. Colour is added to the botanical treasures
by a wealth of wildlife, such as Toucans, Tanagers, Marmoset monkeys
and brilliantly coloured butterflies.
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Ipanema |
Immortalised in a popular song, 'The girl from Ipanema', this part
of Rio offers not only its legendary beach, but numerous excellent
hotels, bustling nightlife, sophisticated shopping opportunities and
quality restaurants, all within walking distance of each other.
Ipanema (the name, incongruously, means 'bad water') is famous for
setting fashion trends, particularly in the line of skimpy swimwear,
and fashion fundis should look out for the famous bikini boutiques
like Salinas, Blue Man and Bum-Bum. Also do not miss exploring the
Rua Garcia D'Avila to shop for designer fashion, jewellery and
furniture. Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Museum of Gems here for a
workshop tour.
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Copacabana |
This famous Rio beach neighbourhood was just a small fishing village
until a new highway changed the face of it sometime in the 1900s.
The Copacabana Palace Hotel first opened its doors in 1923, and
since then the area mushroomed with Neoclassical and Art Nouveau
skyscrapers, penthouses and apartments. Visitors still flock, as
they have always done, to the glamorous Palace Hotel, the place to
be seen. Sometimes the visit is only to have tea or a meal at the
famed Cipriani restaurant. The beach itself has white sand and calm
water and is festooned with kiosks.
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Angra dos Reis |
This peninsula and group of 365 islands (one for each day of the
year!) is a holiday playground that boasts 2,000 beautiful beaches
and a natural wonderland of mountains, forests, waterfalls, lakes
and secret coves. Visitors can take trips by schooner, yacht or
motor launch to explore the delights of the area, particularly the
main island, Ilha Grande. Fishing and diving are the favoured
activities for tourists, and on land there are hundreds of walking
trails giving access to some of the less frequented beaches like
Canto, Abraaozinho, Morcego and Grande das Palmas. The beaches of
Aventureiro and Lopes Mendes are also popular with surfers.
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The Meeting of the Waters |
Where the dark waters of the Rio Negro join the lighter muddy waters
of the Rio Solimoes a natural phenomenon is caused: the separate
shades of water run side by side for a length of more than four
miles (6km) without mixing. The separation is apparently caused by
the difference in temperature, density and flow rate of the waters
from each river: Rio Negro travels at about a mile (2km) per hour
with a temperature of 72ºF (22ºC) while Rio Solimoes flows at
between two and four miles (4-6km) per hour with a temperature of
82ºF (28ºC). This phenomenon has become a major tourist attraction
in Brazil, best accessed by taking an hour's journey by boat from
the floating docks in Manaus.
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Museu de Arte |
A large concrete building supported on delicate pillars in the
Avenida Paulista houses an important collection of Western art. This
museum features the work of the great European artists from the last
500 years, and hosts visiting exhibitions. It is open every day and
entry is free on Thursdays. The complex includes a reasonably priced
restaurant.
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Mercado Municipal |
This imposing neo-Gothic style hall, dating from 1933, is the venue
for a huge market, which sells local fruit, vegetables, cheese and
other produce. The hall is noted for its gigantic stained-glass
windows that depict scenes from the coffee plantations and other
agricultural pursuits. The building is north of Praca da Se.
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Iguaçu Falls |
The Rio Iguaçu arises in the coastal mountains of Paraná and Santa
Catarina and snakes west for 370 miles (600km) before it widens
majestically and sweeps around a magnificent jungle stage, plunging
and crashing in tiered falls at the border with Argentina and
Paraguay. The Foz do Iguaçu (Iguaçu Falls) are over two miles (3km)
wide and 262ft (80m) high and their beauty is unsurpassed. Their
name, fittingly, comes from the Guarani Indian word meaning 'great
waters'. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls
(almost twice the height of Niagara Falls) the most famous of which
is Devils Throat on the Argentinian border, dropping 230ft (70m).
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Tijuca Forest |
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The world's largest urban forest, Tijuca spans 7,900 acres (3,200ha)
and sits on Rio's doorstep. Inside the forest, walkabouts will lead
you past caves, waterfalls and an abundance of exotic and rare flora
and fauna. Stop and enjoy a pre-packed lunch at the 'Mesa do
Imperador', a massive granite picnic table. The famous Corovado
Mountain and statue of Christ the Redeemer form part of the forest. |
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Brazil Country Information |
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