* BrAziL*

Sao Paulo, Brazil

With a population of over 11,000,000 people, Sao Paulo is by far the largest city in the Americas.  It’s the largest in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres, and its public transit system is the world’s busiest.  Sao Paulo may not have a travel appeal as recognizable as Rio, but it is a city that must be experienced by every self-respecting world traveler.  Its mix of cultures have yielded a brilliant culinary, art and music scene and a wild architectural identity.  Its size is truly staggering, and while this great city deserves a destination list of its own, a traveler through Brazil is required to experience it.

                

The Architecture of Oscar Niemeyer

Oscar Niemeyer is arguably the greatest Brazilian architect that has ever lived, a man that gave face to many of Brazil’s most important government, museum and landmark buildings.  Niemeyer’s designs can be seen everywhere from Rio to Sao Paulo to Brasilia, the new capitol of Brazil.  In Brasilia alone, Niemeyer designed the Palácio da Alvorada (the home of Brazil’s presidents), the National Congress Building, the Supreme Court, the National Theater, the Ministry of Justice, the National Library and more.  Niemeyer championed the contemporary movement in Brazil, giving a bold character to a government that serves a bold, proud people.  Niemeyer’s buildings should be visited in Brazil, and you’ll find them in nearly every major city you might visit.  Keep your eye out for Oscar himself, as the architect is still at work today– at the bright young age of 103 years old.

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Salvador da Bahia is the final stop on our tour of Brazil, a city known as Brazil’s “capitol of happiness”.  Salvador da Bahia is one of the oldest cities in Brazil and the Americas in general, dating back to 1549.  Salvador is largely an African American city, with over 80% of its population of African descent.  As a result, Salvador da Bahia has rich African cultural influences alive in its cuisine, its dance and its artistry.  Brazil’s famous Capoeira, a mix of dance and martial artistry, was born in Salvador da Bahia from early Afro-Brazilian performers.  Salvador is also home to the largest street party on the planet, the world’s greatest Carnaval party with nearly 2,000,000 in attendance.

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