The world’s eyes are upon Brazil right now.
The opening ceremony for the Rio Olympics 2016 is in only 46 days.
Are you excited?!
I sure am.
Not only because this is the first time that a South American country will host the Summer Olympics. But it is happening in one of my favorite places on Earth, Brazil!
Brazil is pure magic and fun. It’s the largest country in South America and the world’s fifth-largest country. Brazil covers 3 time zones and shares a border with every South American country except Ecuador and Chile. If you are traveling to this beautiful place, there are a few things you should know.
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8 Fun Facts About Brazil
PEOPLE
What I love the most about Brazil is its people. Brazilians are genuine friendly and warm. You will be greeted with big smiles and curiosity wherever you go.
LANGUAGE
Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world. Remember “Oi! [Oy]” means Hi! and “Tudo bom? [too-doo boh-mm?]” means “How’s it going?”
RELIGION
Brazil has the world’s largest Catholic population.
CURRENCY
The Brazilian Real is the currency of Brazil.
CUISINE
The cuisine in Brazil is diverse and varies by region! Feijoada, the national dish consists in a black bean stew with smoked meat. It is usually served with fried potatoes, fried green plantains and fried cassava.
Make sure to taste their exotic fruits such as acas, guava, passion fruit and cupuacu. They can also be found in juices, ice cream and candies. And don’t forget about the candies, they are a must when visiting Brazil. My favorite candies are brigadeiros (chocolate fudge balls) and beijinhos (coconut truffles and clove.) Delicious!
SPORTS
Soccer is the most popular sport in Brazil. It is very common to see people playing soccer in the streets. Brazil has won the World Cup tournament five times and they are very proud of it!
Volleyball and martial arts are also traditional sports. Brazil is also the home of beach football, capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and many others.
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BIODIVERSITY
Brazil’s unique ecological systems makes it one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world. 60% of the Amazon rainforest (known as having the greatest biodiversity in the world) is located in Brazil. Â The country’s rich natural habitats is home to diverse plants and animal species.
TOURISTIC ATTRACTIONS
There is SO much to visit in Brazil. From the Amazon Basin in the north to Iguazu Falls in the south. From beautiful beaches to dunes formed by wind and ocean currents. Brazil is an exciting world travel destination. These are my top 5 places:
Sao Paulo: known for its concrete jungle, it’s the home of many ethnic groups from all over the world.
Rio de Janeiro: This is the most visited city in South America for its beautiful landscape and Carnival festival (The country shuts down for Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival where the main samba schools dance with highly elaborate parade floats and flamboyant costumes.) The iconic landmark is the Christ the Redeemer statue sitting atop Corcovado mountain.
Olinda: A well-preserved colonial site. It will bring you back to the Portuguese colonization days.
Manaus: The gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Do I need to say more?
The Iguazu Falls: One of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.
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I went to Brazil last year and it was quite an adventure! You are right, the people there are soooo very nice and I didn’t have a bad meal in my 2 1/2 week trip. Iguazu Falls is a must see.
If I went again, I’d take more time to learn additional Portuguese before I left. It’s such a hard language and not always pronounced like a translation book says. Since so few people speak English, it would have made it a lot easier! 🙂
You are right! It is very helpful to learn a few Portuguese phrases before heading there! Yes, Iguazu Falls is dreamy!
We love the Olympics and look forward to it starting. I enjoyed this overview about Brazil, especially it’s delicious food and biodiversity.
Thanks Tanya! Can’t wait for the Olympics to start!!
I learned several new things reading your post. For instance, I have never heard of beach football. I will save this link for reading again and showing my family during the games. Thank you.