Brazil Tourist Attractions

General Information

The Federative Republic of Brazil is located in South America on the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil is the biggest country of South America, the fifth-largest country by geographical area and the sixth most populous country. Brazil’s population comprises various ethnic groups, its population consists of mainly mulatto (22%), Portuguese (15%), Métis (12%), Italian (11%), Spanish (10%), German population (3%), and other white people (14%) as well as many other nations in lower numbers.

Brazil is an upland country. In the north, there is a southern part of the Guiana Highland. The highest peak of the country – the 3,014 meter Neblina is located here. The biggest geographic land of Brazil is the Brazilian Highland, located south from the Amazon Lowland, which comprises 60% of the total area of the country. The relief of the highland comprises a few plateaus, which are divided by numerous mountain ranges and deep river valleys. The eastern tip of the highland is 3, 000 meter high. In the west and north the highland lowers gradually, and in the Atlantic coast it has a steep, nearly vertical edge. It is crossed by deep river valleys. Water flowing from the highland build high waterfalls. The most famous of them are located on the Iguaçu river and are considered to be the most beautiful in the world. The highest peak of the highland is the Bandeira (2,890 meters). West from the Central Plateau there is the most extensive marshland and peat area on the continent called the Pantanal. It is characterized by its relatively unchanged environment and it is a national park under protection. There is also a river basin of the second- longest river in the world – the Amazon. Apart from the huge river basin of the Amazon, two other river systems are also important: La Platy (Paraguay and Parana) in the south, and in the east – Sao Francisco. The major part of Brazil consists of forests. Nearly the whole area of the Amazon is covered by the equatorial forest, where many precious plant species growing only in this area may be found. Along the coast in the southern part of the country, on a narrow strip, there are equatorial forests. Further in the land there are dry subtropical forests. The central part of the highland is overgrown by savannah.

The fauna of the Amazon is also equally rich and diversified. Many species of monkeys, snakes, tree frogs and thousands of birds live there. Caymans, freshwater dolphins and more than 1,500 kinds of fish live in the river. Apart from the Amazon, the natural environment of Brazil disappears gradually. An untouched nature can still be found the Pantanal marshlands.

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