Brazil [2016]

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in both South America & the Latin American Region. It's vast country stretches from the Amazon Basin in the north to vineyards & the massive Iguacu Falls in the south. Rio de Janeiro, symbolised by its 38m Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Mt. Corcovado, is famed for its busy Copacabana & Ipanema beaches as well as its enormous, raucous Carnival Festival, featuring parade floats, flamboyant costumes & samba music and dance. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a long coastline, it boarders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile. It's Amazon River basin includes a vast tropical rainforest, home to diverse wildlife, a variety of ecological systems, and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats. This unique environmental heritage makes Brazil one of 17 mega diverse countries, and is the subject of significant global interest and debate regarding deforestation and environmental protection. The core culture of Brazil is derived from Portuguese culture, because of its strong colonial ties with the Portuguese Empire. Brazil's national alcoholic drink is the Caipirinha, made with cachaca, sugar & limes. I downed a few of these while I travelled through Brazil.