Brazil

The largest country in South America, Brazil is a nation of superlatives. The Amazon, far and away the world’s largest river, has 11 tributaries each larger than the Mississippi River. Brazil’s vast wetland, the Pantanal, is home to 300 species of birds, 230 varieties of fish, giant anteaters, and the huge jacare, or Caiman. Brazil’s modern capital, Brazilia, is an architectural wonder rich in sculptures that include a cathedral in the shape of the crown of thorns. Some of the world’s most glorious examples of colonial architecture are to be seen in Brazil, and the Jesuit missions are on Unesco’s world heritage list. Famous the world over for Carnival, the samba, its popular bands, beaches, and athletes, Brazil is equally famous for Iguacu, among the biggest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Upon seeing these falls for the first time, Eleanor Roosevelt remarked, “They make Niagara Falls look like a leaky faucet.”

The vast Amazonian jungle, Amazonia, sometimes erroneously described as the world’s lungs, is the largest tract of rainforest on the planet. Home to countless flora and fauna, such as the giant water lily and the jaguar, it is believed to contain many unknown species and medicinal remedies. Some of the world’s last known groups of Indians living in their original state are found in the vast reaches of this last great wilderness.

There’s no SAE clubhouse yet in Brazil. But all the clubhouses contain trip reports and other resources, including back issues of the South American Explorer with information on Brazil, what to see, where and when to go, and how to plan your trip.

You can also email brazil@saexplorers.org with your questions.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARADE IN THE RIO CARNIVAL?

Saturday 2nd Feb: Estacio samba school Monday 4th Feb: Unidos da Tijuca samba school

TO RESERVE A PLACE EMAIL CRISTIANO AT CRIS@RIOFORPARTIERS.COM