A tantalising brew of old traditions and modern living, Brazil welcomes visitors with unique architecture, culture, festivals and cuisine. The South American nation is the fifth largest country in the world, home to 170 million inhabitants. Brazil boasts hundreds of miles of coastline, some delightfully peaceful and others throbbing with parties, bars, restaurants and cafes.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil is the bustling and vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, known for having some of the world’s best beaches – including the infamous Copacabana. Rio is a striking city wedged between lazy tropical shores and mountains thrusting up 750 metres or more. One of these mountains is a visible landmark of the city, topped with a massive statue of Jesus Christ. The residents are renowned for throwing fantastic parties.

More adventurous travellers may prefer feisty São Paulo, the largest city in South America with a population of 25 million. This city is a mosaic of peoples from all across the country and is a hub of culture, shopping and fine dining. With a strong focus on new Brazilian theatre, it is quickly becoming a cultural centre. Some equate São Paulo to New York City. Visitors should beware of the high crime rate as poverty in this city is high.

You can’t mention Brazil without discussing the Amazon – the largest rainforest in the world. Eco-tourism has really taken off here, with Manaus being the main jumping off point to the jungle. The Amazon jungle encompasses the northern third of Brazil with its thriving river at the core and travel through the Amazon basin is mostly by water. The extremely modern Manaus offers everything from daytrips on the Amazon to multi-day journeys and treks into virgin rainforest.

The Iguaçu Falls complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. There are 275 falls here, cascading from 72 metres down a rock face in a jungle background.

Brazil’s interior is comprised of the planalto, an arid plateau covered in cerrado, a type of dry scrub forest. The largest city in this area is the federal capital Brasilia.

Meanwhile, the country’s north eastern area offers a stunning coastline dotted with cities and sugar cane plantations. The region has a more traditional atmosphere, with rich food and Afro-Brazilian culture, ancient cities and quieter beaches. Those interested in traditional festivals will find the lively music and dance here phenomenal. A popular destination in the area is Olinda, a peaceful colonial town. Meanwhile, the 16th century city of Salvador is a great place to listen to music.

The southern tip of Brazil was colonized by European immigrants and is the most densely settled part of Brazil. The small, charming cities like Curitiba are often cited by city planners as excellent examples in urban living. A favourite summer holiday destination in the south of Brazil is the tiny island of Santa Catarina (also known as Florianópolis), which has more than 40 sublime beaches.

There is plenty of good accommodation in varying price ranges to suit all budgets. Quality is generally good, but the slogan ‘you get what you pay for’ is apparent in most Brazilian cities. For those wishing to explore the Amazon or just be near to it, there is a fine selection of lodges of varying quality. Ecotourism is rife here and many lodges offer accommodation and jungle tour packages.

Brazil is situated in the southern hemisphere so summer months are December through March and winter months are June through September.

Climate varies significantly between regions within the nation. The majority of Brazil enjoys a tropical climate; however, the rest of the country has some higher altitude areas or receive sea winds and polar fronts. The actual weather varies between north to south and from east to west. Temperatures can range from dry and hot in the northeast, to humid, hot and wet in the Amazon, to downright cold and even snowy in the southwest interior. Overall, Brazil is an excellent choice all year around no matter where you end up.

The average annual temperature in the Amazon basin is 25°C to 32°C maximum. Humidity is high and rain showers are frequent. The Pantanal has a rainy season from December to March and a dry season from July to October. Temperatures range from very hot and humid to 10°C in winter. Rio de Janeiro is very tropical, with high temperatures and good rainfall.

The best weather can be enjoyed in September or October. The spring weather offers warm days in São Paulo, Iguaçu and Rio while in the Amazon and the Pantanal it will be just before the wet season starts. Another good period for a visit is after Carnaval when you can take advantage of low-season prices while still enjoying good weather.

The Portuguese arrived in Brazil in the 1500s which prompted the sugar cane cultivation to flourish with the import of slave labour from West Africa. The gold discovery in 1690 attracted more immigration from Portugal. Nearly 1,000 tons of gold and 3 million carats of diamonds were taken from the region between 1700 and 1800.

In 1808, as Napoleon's armies began the invasion of Portugal, the decision was made to transfer the monarch and his court to Rio de Janeiro, where he would remain until 1821. In 1815, Brazil was raised from the status of a colony to that of a kingdom united with Portugal. After a war of independence (1822-1824) Brazil became an Empire under Dom Pedro I. Slavery was abolished in 1888 coinciding with the end of the monarchy. Meanwhile, the spread of coffee plantations advanced the settlement of empty land farther to the south.

The new republic adopted a federative system and the parliamentary system was replaced with a presidential one. This ‘First Republic’ lasted until 1930 when the government was forcibly overthrown. In 1934, a new constitution was introduced along with some important policies such as advanced social welfare legislation, a reform of the educational system. Additionally, industrialization progressed.

From 1956 to 1961, Brazil experienced accelerated economic expansion under President Juscelino Kubitschek. He was followed by President Jânio Quadros, who resigned after less than a year in office, leaving his vice president João Goulart to take his place. The next few years were tumultuous and the military overthrew him in 1964 and continued to rule until 1985. This period saw five presidents, all of them military generals.

In 1985, Tancredo de Almeida Neves was chosen president by an Electoral College. He died five weeks later and his vice president José Sarney was sworn in as president. A new constitution was set in 1988. In 1995, Fernando Henrique Cardoso took the presidency and was re-elected in 1998.