Brazil-Destination Spots

Iguassu Falls

One of the most breathtaking scenes a visitor can see in this part of the world is the Iguassu Falls. It was even considered to become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The falls are located on the border of three countries - Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Iguassu River takes its source near the Atlantic coast of Brazil, south of Sao Paulo, and flows into the continent in a western direction for about 1320 km. The width of the river near the waterfall is about 4 km and the whole expanse of water that falls upon a majestic cliff as a crescent shape. Sunlight adds the finishing touches, creating a shimmering rainbow. Both Brazil and Argentina have declared the land on both sides of the waterfall to be national parks.

Near the Iguassu Falls on the Parana River, is man-made wonder - the Itaipu hydroelectric plant. The plant belongs to Brazil and Paraguay, which share the energy produced by the plant. The huge concrete dam is set at 20 km from the city of Foz de Iguazu. Its length is almost 8 km, with an elevation of 196 m, approximately the height of a skyscraper with 65 floors. In 2000, the power plant generated 93, 428 gigawatthours of electricity, a word record for hydroelectric generation.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the greatest cities in the world. With so many things to see and to do, Rio alone will be enough reason to come to Brazil whether it is for a visit, for work, or for study. Rio is located on the shore of the picturesque Guanabara Bay and is famous for its beaches, especially world-famous beach of Copacabana. Rio de Janeiro in translation means January River and until 1960 Rio was the capital of the country. Some of the best views of Rio can be seen from the Sugar Loaf Mountain, as well as from the Christ the Redeemer, elected as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Called “The Greatest Party on Earth” the Rio de Janeiro Carnival happens every February for 5 days and 4 nights. If your stay in Brazil happens to be during carnival time, an unforgettable time is almost a guarantee. If your purpose for visiting Brazil is to find out more about the country’s culture, this would be a perfect place for an educational experience because the Carnival sums up Brazilian culture to its fullest.

San Paulo might be called “The New York City of Brazil”, but it has its own unique identity which will fascinate a visitor from anywhere around the world. Only a century old, San Paulo is considered to be an industrial powerhouse with its own world-class restaurants, shopping malls, night life, and art galleries. The city is inhabited by eleven million people, all of whom have a common Latin motto “Non ducor, duco” which translates into “I am not led, I lead”. This philosophy in life creates a sense of purpose, perfect for anyone who wants to volunteer abroad.