ECOCITY BRASIL
ABOUT BRAZIL
BRAZIL is without doubt one of the most beautiful, fun-loving and friendly countries in the world.
Its eclectic cities burst with colour and energy all year-round; its streets pulsate to the Samba beat; its huge bio-diverse land is home to some of earth's most spectacular flora and fauna, and the world's largest river and rainforest - the Amazon - call Brazil home. And so, soon, might you - Brazil's economy is thriving and its overseas property market is gathering pace each day, displaying the flair of the country's famous footballers, the diversity of its wonderful wildlife and the endless appeal of Brazil's legendary carnivals.
The largest country in South America, Brazil does ‘big' better than most. Its cities are sprawling, particularly São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro which are among the largest in the world, and the country is home to 22% of the world's arable land and the 6th largest global economy with 3% growth forecast for 2009 (source: International Monetary Fund). Its people are big-hearted and always waiting with a smile, while its beaches are among the most beautiful in the world.
Piauí and Parnaíba
About Piauí
The state of Piauí is located toward the western edge of the Northeast of Brazil and claims two rather unique features. Firstly, Piauí is the only Northeastern state whose capital - Teresina - is located inland rather than on the coast (the area was colonised from within and expanded outwards, rather than the typical coastal colonisation of other states), and secondly, and perhaps because of the way it was colonised, Piauí has the shortest coastline of any Brazilian state, just 40 miles...albeit every inch is breathtakingly beautiful.
Piauí's Serra de Capivara National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the south-east region of the state, the world's largest concentration of ancient rock paintings can be found there.
Much like most of Brazil's Northeast, Piauí owes the majority of its cultural make-up to Europe, particularly Portugal. Teresina, however, is something of an exception. This large conurbation of almost one million people was actually Brazil's first planned city and, like a number of American cities for instance, is made up of various quarters and so is said to resemble a chess board. It is also known as the ‘Green City' thanks to the verdant vistas provided by the innumerable mango trees that line many of the city's streets.
Elsewhere in Piauí, European-inspired festivals, architecture and cuisine dominate. Festa Junina is based around St. John's Day, with festivities beginning on June 12 and running until June 29, marking (as this is the Southern Hemisphere don't forget) the tropical winter - rather than summer - solstice. The festival comprises firework displays, bonfires, 17th, 18th and 19th century European folk dances and, this being Brazil, copious amounts of high spirits; both of the alcoholic and celebratory kind!
