AND THE WORLD´S GREATEST BIODIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN...

Westernmost state of Brazil, Acre fascinates many people with its well preserved natural beauty. The Juruá Valley, part of the itinerary called "route to villages and biodiversity" offers the tourist contact with various indigenous ethnic groups and their ancient customs. 


It is in this wonderful setting that the city of Cruzeiro do Sul and Serra do Divisor National Park are located, the park being considered by many researchers as the region of the greatest worldwide biodiversity.

On setting off from the capital Rio Branco, there are several routes that unveil the Juruá Valley, with its  natural attractions such  as navigable rivers, streams and lakes. Sailing along the Moa River is a must, for it is a link to the Park of Serra do Divisor, where contact with nature is exposed before some unmatched and preserved  flora and fauna.

The enormous biodiversity of the Amazon holds treasures from traditional communities yet to be discovered by urban society. Among the natural materials  is the tucum. It is a palm tree that can grow 50 feet tall and from which a kind of very tough line can be extracted, known to the Amazonians as the "line of loyalty."

The linkup of tucum straw and companionship comes from the belief that the fiber´s strength never ruptures.  Legend aside, the material has drawn the attention of crafts groups which see the thread of the palm tree as an income generating raw material for sustainable development of areas with frail economy.

TOURISM INFO

AN ECO-HEAVEN IN DUCK LAGOON

Sediments color Lagoa dos Patos (English: Duck Lagoon), tan and frame the nearby Brazilian coastline. Lagoa dos Patos is the second largest lagoon in Latin America and the biggest in Brazil. It is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The lagoon is 174 miles (280 km) long, has a maximum width of 44 miles (70 km), and a total area of 3,803 sq. mi. (9,850 km). It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a sandbar about 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide. The Rio Grande, at the south end of Lagoa dos Patos, forms the outlet to the Atlantic. 


According to the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value is internationally important.

Lagoa do Peixe National Park is 34,4000 hectares and is made up of the Campos Sulinos (Southern Fields) and Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rain Forest) biomes. It includes representative samples of the ecosystems of the Rio Grande do Sul coastal zone such as saltmarsh, coastal dunes and lagoons, arboreal habitat, restingas, beach and a marine area. The beauty of the park's dunes and lagoons can be appreciated by all park visitors. Lagoa do Peixe National Park was named after the lagoon found within the reserve with the same name. Lagoa do Peixe is the largest lagoon within the park; it is shallow and is about 35 km long, making it an important feeding ground for birds.

PARKS WATCH

LAGOA DO PEIXE

CAYAKKING

Aves migratórias atraem turistas

IF SKATEBOARDING IS YOUR THING...

Skateboarding has been a popular sport in the U.S. and Europe for more than fifty years, generating a strong sub-culture and significant influence around the world from its beginnings in California. Like most urban centers around the globe, Rio has also seen the sport becoming an increasingly popular past-time with the always active residents.

Skate parks remain an ideal place for skateboarders to practice, as there are ramps designed for tricks and less danger of running into civilians or cars. From the Zona Norte to Zona Sul, Rio is teeming with skateboard parks open for all levels.

More at: THE RIO TIMES

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

An uncommon view of the Sugar Loaf, in Rio de Janeiro. The image, taken by the Sao Jose dos Campos University, unveils the morphogenesis of the Guanabara bay. Depth at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach due to the color of its sand) reaches 100 feet. 

BLACK ROOTS OF BRAZILIAN SOUNDS

Two steps to the right, one to the left and two to the left and one to the right. Marking is done with drums without metal pegs, which were honed in the heat of an improvised lamp. 
The dance circle is formed by the colors of the  flowery skirts of the coreiras, the female dancers. In the center, one of them bears the image of St. Benedict over the head. The creole drum sounds are mixed with the voices and belly-to-belly movements of the dancers as an invitation for the next dancer to join the circle.
The creole drum from the state of Maranhao has been deemed immaterial heritage of Brazil by the Institute for National Artistic and Historical Heritage (Iphan) since 2007. It is estimated that there are over 200 drums throughout the state. Of these, 130 were recorded by the project Safeguarding of the Creole Drum. The demonstrations occur throughout the year, at no particular date, but the biggest events portrayed are the carnival and St. John´s feast.
Its origin is dubious - some say it came from Africa as a legitimate cultural manifestation. Others, like Lucia Franco, a true native dancer, report it was played by slaves to broadcast to neighboring slave rural ghettos any outcoming taking to flight. Dance was  a mere coverup.

BRAZIL IS....

A 500-YEAR-OLD COUNTRY

Imagine an old big country, so huge that no one can invade. You have few examples like USA, China, Russia and Australia. All of them were born by conquests, acquisitions, wars or merges. Not here. Brazil is the only big country that ever was Brazil, even before its discovery (search Tordesillas Treaty). 

Brazilian people have no race, no face, no color, no suit, no surname, no specification. In this world, you can't detect a brazilian by any characteristic. Brazilians are of any kind, indeed. 

And the climate? Just good weather all the year round, everywhere.

As for food, Brazilians have become natural gourmets due to vast and easy food availability. Enormous supermarket chains, fairs everywhere and big malls, spread all over the country, lead to a healthy consume of foods ranging from japanese to ubiquitous italian.

Looking for night life? There is no other country that sleeps so late. Heavy midnight traffic. São Paulo (the whole city) never sleeps. Beaches (8.000 km) are filled with little bars, and smaller cities also carry through the night easily, with loud samba or forró(NW) rhythm.

Police and public service? Not so bad, but no one counts on them.

MORE by: Marcos Ficarelli

A CORSO WHAT?

According to the Oxford dictionary, a CORSO is:

1) (in Italy and some other Mediterranean countries) a social promenade.
       1.1) a street used for social promenades, or where races and parades were formerly held.

The Corso is a carnival attraction in Teresina, capital of the Piaui state, and is considered the world's largest event of its kind according to the Guinness Book: parade of theme floats and people in costumes.

This year it will be held on the 22nd of February and it will showcase 800 decorated trucks and an estimated audience of 300,000 people.

       Guide to the city (in Portuguese)