The most important natural sites in Brazil. Brazil. Need help studying a topic?

Sights of Brazil

Brazil is a country whose culture was influenced by Portuguese and African traditions. Latin American roots are also strongly felt in historical development. The diversity of cultures directly affected the formation of tourism infrastructure, so trips around the country promise a lot of enchanting impressions. These may include visiting carnivals and festivals, taking place cultural centers or religious places. The sights of Brazil are extremely diverse: these include architectural monuments, museums, and famous sambodromes. The excursions are conducted by highly qualified specialists familiar with the history and culture of the country. They will add to the knowledge base of tourists with fascinating stories and answer any question of interest.

What to see first in Brazil

2. Waterfall "Adam and Eve" ("Iguazu")

Adam and Eve Falls on the Iguazu River

The waterfall complex became a UNESCO heritage site in the 1980s. "Adam and Eve" is located in Iguazu Park next to the Bossetti Falls.

The Adam and Eve waterfall is especially beautiful on a sunny day, when millions of splashes reflect the rays, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. At the same time, the cloud of spray itself rises several meters - the force of the falling water flow is so great. There are strong observation decks for tourists here.

3. Bird Park (Foz Do Iguaçu)

Toucan parrot in the Bird Park

In the municipality of Foz Do Iguaçu there is a Bird Park. It covers an area of 17 hectares. According to the organizers, birds live here in natural environment a habitat. Places where birds gather are surrounded by nets. Tourists have the opportunity to go inside the enclosures and admire the birds in their natural conditions.

In the park you can see all the birds living in Brazil. Experts have counted approximately 900 species. The bird park is not only for tourists. Research work is constantly carried out here, the purpose of which is to create optimal conditions for the preservation of especially rare breeds. In addition to birds, you can see exotic butterflies in the park, striking in their brightness. In addition, there are crocodiles and snakes here.

As for flowering and evergreen plants, their freshness and beauty are ensured by special care. The aromas of freshness float in the air. You can enjoy this attraction of Brazil within organized excursion.

4. Wanda Mines (Puerto Iguazu)

View of the Wanda mines

The mine is located near the city of Puerto Iguazu. This is an extensive deposit of semi-precious stones. If the question is what to visit in Brazil, then the Vanda mine is a good option to replenish your baggage of impressions. The mine is named after the Polish princess Wanda. The unique deposit was discovered in 1976.

The mine is rich in minerals. Here, in particular, agate, topaz, rock crystal, quartz and some others are mined. Most of the semi-precious stones mined in the mine are raw materials for jewelry production. To attract tourists, there are several special shops nearby that sell jewelry with minerals and stones mined here.

No less interesting to tourists will be the process of stone extraction itself. During the excursion you can get acquainted with their diversity. The guides interestingly tell how many forms of stones are found here, as well as what colors prevail in them.

5. Pantanal (Mato Grosso do Sul)

Water lilies in the ecological paradise of the Pantanal

In the western part of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul lies a picturesque tectonic depression. Pantanal means “wet lowland”. There are very few such large wetlands on the planet. The approximate area is 195,000 square kilometers.

During the flood season, the Pantanal turns into a beautiful lake. However, winter droughts set in, and an overgrown swamp and sandbanks appear in place of the lake. In addition, during winter droughts, grassy areas and wandering river beds can be seen in this place. At the same time, the flora here is extremely diverse, which allows us to classify the Pantanal as one of the natural attractions of Brazil.

650 species of birds and more than 50 species of reptiles have been recorded here. The flora is represented by 3,500 plant species. This is a protected natural area, which is declared a UNESCO site. On three sides the Pantanal is sharply limited by cliffs and gorges of the plateau. The relief here is as contrasting as weather.

Check out the beautiful places in Brazil in this wonderful video!

6. "Devil's Throat"

“Devil’s Throat” waterfall from a bird’s eye view

There is a unique complex of waterfalls on the Iguazu River. There are 275 of them here. The most impressive is the 700-meter ledge, which has a horseshoe shape. Devil's Throat Falls consists of 14 streams of water that continuously cascade from a height of 350 feet.

The waterfall is located in a huge cloud of spray, sparkling in the sun. "The Devil's Throat" was opened to the Western world in 1541 famous traveler El Dorado Cabeza de Vaca. The strength and power of the waterfall will be of interest to those who are thinking about what to see in Brazil. Observation platforms here they are very durable, there is no danger for tourists. Multi-stage platforms extend for many kilometers, which makes it possible to admire this landmark of Brazil at any time.

The story received rave reviews E. Roosevelt, who was stunned by the majestic picture of the waterfall. Seeing him, Eleanor said in shock: “Pitiful Niagara.” It is better to view the waterfall from a helicopter, when all the water flows are open in one panorama.

7. Sugarloaf Mountain (Rio de Janeiro)

Cable car to Sugarloaf

The mountain has a height of 396 meters. It rises majestically above Guanabara Bay and is a natural landmark of Brazil. The unusual shape of the mountain was the reason for the original name. Locals call it Pan-di-Asucar, which means “sugarloaf”. What causes such an unusual shape of the mountain?

It turns out that intrusive igneous rocks have been weathering here for centuries. There is practically no vegetation on the slopes of the mountain. From the outside she looks stern and ascetic. The first settlement at the foot of the mountain appeared in 1565. It was here that Rio de Janeiro was later founded.

In 1817, the British flag appeared on the top of Sugar Mountain. It was erected by the English nurse Henrietta Carstairs. This was the first ascent of the mountain. And already in 1912 a cable car appeared here. It is still available to travelers today.

Anyone who is wondering what to see in Brazil will be interested in climbing the cable car to the Sugar Mountain with three stops: Praia Vermelha, Urca and the summit of Pan di Azúcar. At the same time, on Mount Urca you can admire the amphitheater. IN concert complex Concha Verde in Urca often hosts dance shows that are so popular in Brazil.

8. Amazon Rainforest

Evergreen forests of the Amazon

Brazil's natural attractions include the Amazon forest. They have a second name - Amazonia, which is more common in Brazil. These are broad-leaved forests with high humidity. The Amazon is located in the river basin of the same name. Thick evergreen forests cover an area of 5.5 million square kilometers.

This is 50% of the area of all tropical forests on the planet. The Amazon extends across 9 countries, including Brazil. The biological diversity of rainforests always attracts travelers and tourists.

Currently, 40,000 plant species and 3,000 fish species have been described, but scientists tend to believe that this is not complete data. The fauna of the Amazon is also rich, and the tropical deciduous forests are home to many predators that pose a serious danger to humans. Among them are the jaguar and the caiman. In addition, there are many poisonous snakes in tropical forests, so independent travel are undesirable here.

Unfortunately, the Amazon forest is rapidly declining. There are statistics according to which forest areas decreased by more than 400,000 square kilometers from 1991 to 2004 alone. Deforestation is carried out haphazardly, and the state is not always able to control this process.

The reason for deforestation is to clear the area for Agriculture. However, currently the situation has been somewhat optimized, since Greenpeace and many public organizations.

9. Pedra Pintada (Roraima state)

Rock formation “Painted Stone”

In the Brazilian state of Roraima there is an amazing rock formation. Translated, the name Pedra Pintada reads as “painted stone.” From the outside it looks multi-colored, and the color is dominated by vertical light stripes on a dark background. The rock extends up to 35 m. It is located above sea level at an altitude of 83 meters.

Tourists have a lot to see in Brazil. Inside the “painted stone” there is a cave with rock paintings. Once upon a time, ancient tribes lived here, leaving their descendants with stone axes and a lot of ceramic dishes. It should be noted that tourists do not always have the opportunity to get into this cave. The fact is that Pedra Pintada (“painted stone”) is located on the territory of an Indian reservation.

The Indians are jealous of this landmark of Brazil, which is located on their lands. It is possible to enter the cave for tourist or other purposes only with the permission of the National Indian Foundation FUNAI. If permission is obtained, then travelers are guaranteed a vivid impression. After all, the rock paintings inside the cave are made with bright white and pink paint.

10. Ibirapuera Park (Sao Paulo)

Bandeiras Monument, dedicated to the European pioneers of Brazil

Thinking about what to see in Brazil? Of course, Ibirapuera Park in Sao Paulo. It covers an area of 140 hectares. The year of foundation of the park is considered to be 1954. Its opening took place in honor of the 400th anniversary of Sao Paulo. The author of the landscape project was Roberto Burle Marx, and the buildings located in the park were designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Tourists are constantly amazed not only by the park’s vegetation, but also by its structure itself. Essentially, it is a small kingdom that has palaces, lakes and forests. At the entrance to the park there is the most big lake. White and black swans sway on its waters. Well-fed geese and ducks swim nearby here. One of the pleasures for park visitors was the opportunity to feed them.

The birds are accustomed to treats and swim close to people. The lake has colorful fountains with moving jets. The vegetation here is very diverse. For example, the park has Japanese gardens and spreading palm groves. In fact, the entire nature of the southeastern part of Brazil is represented here. The structure of the park is thought out so that the buildings fit organically into the landscape.

Therefore, overall the park gives the impression of complete harmony. Among the iconic monuments is the monument to Pedro Alvarez Cabral, who is the first European to reach the coast of Brazil. The park looks very romantic, so people often make dates here. You can't consider the sights of Brazil to be seen if you haven't experienced it beautiful place.

Sights of Brazil: what else to visit while in Brazil

Continuing to consider interesting places, we’ll talk about those that attract tourists and local residents. It is most convenient if you are accompanied by professionals who know the optimal time for visiting attractions and other details of organizing excursions.

11. Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro

Alley of the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro

All the enchanting diversity of Brazilian flora and fauna is presented in the Botanical Garden. It occupies 54 hectares. 6.5 thousand species of plantings are registered here. At the same time, those that are on the verge of extinction are especially valued. In addition to rich vegetation, the Botanical Garden has monuments and architectural structures.

In addition, to systematize and study the vegetation on the territory of the Botanical Garden, there is science Center. It has a rich library. The books in it are selected mainly on botanical topics. The year the Botanical Garden was founded is 1808. Initially, it was created so that exotic plants imported from other countries could undergo acclimatization.

For this purpose they created special conditions, greenhouses were built. The garden was laid out at the behest of King João VI. It crowns the landmarks of Brazil and is a national treasure. Botanical Garden is located on the right hand of famous statue Christ. Since 1992, the Botanical Park in Rio de Janeiro has been declared a UNESCO site. It is currently considered a biosphere reserve.

12. Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro)

Bright Spot Beach in Rio de Janeiro

The Copacabana beach area in Rio de Janeiro stretches for 4 kilometers. Previously, there was a fishing village on this site, which bore the same name. Translated, this word means “bright spot.” Copacabana is famous for hosting representatives of the art world. Brazilian artists, writers or painters often settled here.

Copacabana reached its peak in the 50s of the last century. And later, wealthy citizens and politicians began to settle in this area. This area is connected to Rio de Janeiro by tram line.

The founding year of Copacabana is considered to be 1750, when a chapel appeared on this site. Over time, the first settlements began to appear here, which have now turned into an independent suburb of Rio de Janeiro.

Nowadays, the prestige of Copacabana has decreased significantly due to the fact that illegal business has begun to flourish here. However, it is in Copacabana that the largest concert venue in Rio de Janeiro is located. Rod Stewart's concert in 1994 attracted more than 4 million people, which is noted in the Guinness Book of Records. Later, in 2006, a concert took place here with the same incredible success Rolling Stones, which attracted approximately 2,000,000 spectators. Copacabana still carries within itself the spirit of free creativity.

13. Maracana Stadium (Rio de Janeiro)

Top view of the Maracanã Stadium

Brazil's attractions also include sports facilities. These include the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. This is the largest in the country football stadium. The famous clubs Flamengo, Fluminense and the Brazilian national team consider it their home arena.

The stadium was named after a river flowing nearby. The year of its foundation is 1948. At that time, Brazil was preparing for the 1950 World Cup. The work was finally completed in 1965. Since then, Maracana has been considered the main Brazilian stadium.

This is a very spacious venue; the stadium holds several attendance records. It is built in the shape of an oval. It is noteworthy that here the playing field is separated from the stands by a moat with water. The purpose of the moat is to drain the stands. The stadium is located in a tropical rain zone, so the installation of drainage ditches is a functional necessity.

The stadium is open, but along the contour of the stands there is a large oval-shaped canopy. In 2016, this stadium hosted Grand opening summer Olympic Games. All football matches as part of the 2016 Olympics were also held at this stadium.

14. Ponta Dunas water park (Fortaleza)

Extreme slide at Ponta Dunas water park

Fortaleza is home to one of the largest Brazilian water parks. Ponta Dunas is a favorite summer attraction for tourists. Countless dizzying attractions attract vacationers here. Slides and extreme descents in streams of water that will make your heart skip a beat are a guarantee of the most vivid impressions. Ponta Dunas complements the attractions of Brazil . It delights with thoughtful engineering solutions and the gushing imagination of its creators.

For example, it is on the territory of this water park that there is a slide that is included in the Guinness Book of Records. From the outside, it’s scary to imagine that someone will decide to go down, because the slide reaches the level of a 14-story building. Nevertheless, the slide is never empty. Dozens of brave daredevils, who are characterized by a spirit of excitement, rush from it. They are provided with a fair dose of adrenaline!

There is a 40-meter slide nearby; it was built later, so it has not yet been claimed for a world record. The descent from it is almost vertical. Surprisingly, it is never empty either. The organizers have provided a system of restrictions for such attractions. Pregnant women and children shorter than one and a half meters cannot ride them.

The territory of Ponta Dunas is huge. Moreover, the height of the local attractions allows you to admire the expanses of the sea, because the water park is located in the coastal strip. For tourists, everything is provided here: from food to places for relaxation. Cafes and restaurants offer delicious menus. Tourists who are tired of extreme pleasures are offered calm and cozy hotel rooms.

Several artificial rivers flow through the park. It has swimming pools of varying depths. Moreover, each pool maintains its own temperature balance. In the territory South America Ponta Dunas is the first such structure.

15. Gastronomic Museum (El Salvador)

Fish moqueca – traditional Brazilian fish soup Gilrovina

What to visit in Brazil? For lovers of delicacies, the gastronomic museum in El Salvador is a real find. The exhibition here is quite unusual. It is entirely devoted to gastronomic wisdom. Here you can get acquainted with the history of Brazilian cuisine and national customs. The museum opened in 2006.

In addition to classic exhibits, you can watch videos. In addition, the guides offer documentary films dedicated to the gastronomic features of Brazil. Also, cutlery dating back to different centuries is of constant interest to tourists.

There is also a souvenir shop here. And since the exhibition tells fascinating stories about food, the local restaurant is never empty. Here you can taste many of the dishes described in the museum.

16. Royal Portuguese Library (Rio de Janeiro)

Facade of the Royal Portuguese Library Felipe Restrepo Acosta Interior of the reading room of the Royal Portuguese Library uwephilly

The ancient, very recognizable monumental building can hardly be called just a library. This is a real temple of science, the grandeur of which amazes both outside and especially inside, when you find yourself in the kingdom of books arranged on amazingly beautiful shelves made of carved wood. And in general, absolutely all the interior decoration is made of wood - carved lace from the floor to the ceiling alternates with thousands of books, and the ceiling space is crowned with a magnificent mosaic, through the colored glass of which light penetrates into the room. The building, designed in Manueline style, began construction in 1880, and in 1900 the library opened its doors to the general public.

17. Teatro Amazonas (Manaus)

View of the Amazonas Theater Karine Hermes

In the heart of the Brazilian city of Manaus there is a building opera house- Amazonas, built at the end of the 19th century, during the “rubber rush” period. The increased demand for rubber once allowed local planters to become so rich that they were able to invite European opera stars. Over time, England was able to establish rubber production in its tropical colonies, and with the advent of a competitor, the Brazilian planters quickly went bankrupt. The theater was abandoned for many years, and only in the 90s of the last century it experienced a new heyday. Today, the Amazon Opera Festival is held annually within its walls, which attracts thousands of tourists.

18. Museum of Contemporary Art (Rio de Janeiro)

Museum of Contemporary Art in Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro Halley Pacheco de Oliveira

The sights of the capital of Brazil, which is still considered to be Rio de Janeiro, despite the fact that the city lost this status back in 1960, include not only historical, but also modern objects. The building of the Museum of Modern Art, shaped like a flying saucer, is remembered by all visitors by its appearance alone. Both the facade and the interior design of the museum are distinguished by their originality. The museum's exhibition itself was created as a result of the large-scale cultural and economic upheaval that Brazil experienced after World War II. The collection exhibits works of contemporary art collected from different countries. These are objects of painting, sculpture, graphics, metal and plastic structures.

19. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)

Car with dancers at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival Sergio Luiz Inside the Sambadrome at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival Alan Betensley

If we talk about the national attractions of Brazil, the carnival in Rio is their most striking example. This event can be called one of the most colorful, enchanting, large-scale events in the whole world. Every year hundreds of thousands of people from different countries come to the holiday to personally participate in the celebration. Traditionally, the action takes place in February-March, shortly before Lent according to the Catholic calendar. During the event, representatives of the 12 best samba schools demonstrate the skill of incendiary dance, and jury groups located at several points along the carnival procession route evaluate the quality of performance, from dance technique to the type of costumes.

20. The city of Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais state)

Street in the city of Ouro Preto View of the colonial city of Ouro Preto

Old City in eastern Brazil was once one of the main hotbeds of the gold rush in South America, and evidence of its importance today is a number of unique buildings, most of which were built in the 18th century and decorated in the colonial baroque style. Today the town has become a real museum under open air, and in its historical part, traffic is even blocked. Among all the city buildings, the Catholic Church of Ouro Preto stands out, and it is also where great amount museums. Of no less interest is the suburban Itakolomi Park, in whose tropical forests you can see wildlife in its pristine beauty.

21. Historic center of Olinda (Pernambuco state)

Church of the Conception Holy Mother of God in the historical center of Olinda

From the buildings of the historical center of one of the most beautiful Brazilian cities - Olinda, one can read the history of Brazil, starting from the time of the first Portuguese colonialists. This authentic city in the northeast of the country was founded in the 16th century. At that time, colonialists settled here, and the city they built flourished for a century. During the raids of the Dutch invaders, it was seriously destroyed, and after another couple of decades, the power of the Portuguese was restored, and new beautiful palaces and rich mansions were erected here - they are the ones that have survived for the most part to this day. The elegant stucco molding, rich gilding and other abundant decoration of the facades of these buildings still impress with their splendor.

22. Church of San Francisco (El Salvador)

Square and cross in front of the Church of St. Francis in the city of El Salvador Rosino Gold items in the interior of the Church of San Francisco in the city of El Salvador fernando_dallacqua

Another object of historical value is located in the city of Salvador - this is the Church of San Francisco, also built during the era of Portuguese colonial rule. The external, moderately restrained appearance of the building contrasts strongly with its interior decoration, the richness of which is even difficult to describe. Literally the entire temple is covered with gold from the inside; the extraordinary abundance of gilded carved elements, paintings and sculptures is impressive - their golden reflections amaze the most sophisticated imagination. It was thanks to this decoration that the temple received its second name - “golden church”. The building itself is decorated in the best traditions of Brazilian Baroque.

23. Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge (Sao Paulo)

Cross-shaped support of the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge on the Pinheiros River in Sao Paulo

Visiting Sao Paulo , You can see with your own eyes one of the most unusual and modern structures in the country - the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge. For visitors, this is a unique attraction, where you can take original photos, and for local residents, it is an important transport artery of the city. The main visual features of the structure are the characteristic X-shaped 138-meter support, the main function of which is to support two levels of the transport highway, as well as 144 powerful cables holding the transport roadway. Construction of the bridge started in 2006, and two years later its grand opening took place.

24. Mount Corcovado (Rio de Janeiro)

The train that takes tourists to the top of Corcovado Klaus with K

Brazil, whose capital today is the city of Brasilia, still keeps the bulk of its attractions in its former capital - the city of Rio de Janeiro. One of the symbols of Rio and the whole country is the monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer, thanks to which Mount Corcovado has become famous throughout the world - it is at its peak that a colossal 40-meter sculpture of the Savior rises. The mountain itself is located within the Tijuca National Park. Leads to its top Railway special design - it has gearing, which is necessary for safe adhesion of the train to the rails on a steep climb. Three trains regularly travel along this track, providing visitors to the mountain with a quick ride to the top in 20 minutes.

25. Elevator Lacerda (El Salvador)

Passenger elevator Lacerda in the city of El Salvador krebsmaus07

One of the most notable attractions of the city of Salvador is its unusual Lacerda lift, which performs the function public transport. The fact is that the city itself, located on the ocean coast, has a strong difference in altitude, starting from the coast to the interior of the mainland. Therefore, for ease of movement, a kind of elevator was created connecting Cairo Square in the Lower City and Sousa Square in Upper town. It consists of two towers - one contains elevator cabins, the other, located in the rock, has counterweights. Every day, about 28 thousand passengers, thanks to the lift, get from one part of the city to another.

26. Ipanema Beach (Rio de Janeiro)

Vacationers on Ipanema Beach in the south of Rio de Janeiro

A heavenly place with a hot southern mentality and a bright national flavor - all this is temperamental Brazil. The sights of Rio de Janeiro delight not only with cultural sites and enchanting holidays, but also with extraordinary beautiful nature, including beautiful sea beaches. Among them is the romantic Ipanema Beach, a place of exclusive relaxation and contemplation of beautiful views of the sunset. If you compare this place with the first most important beach, Copacabana, you can note that Ipanema is calm and serene. At the same time, entertainment lovers will find something to their liking here - the beach has ideal conditions for surfing, you can play football, volleyball and footvolley.

27. Beaches of Salvador (El Salvador)

Picturesque view of the bay and sand beach in El Salvador

For lovers wild holiday You will certainly enjoy the picturesque, little-known beaches, which can be called some of the most beautiful in Latin America. These are truly heavenly lands - a multi-kilometer sandy strip of coastline is adjacent to hundreds of palm trees and other abundant vegetation. A small number of campsites, a few small restaurants and bars are all that can be found from the signs of civilization in these places. But there are excellent opportunities for surfing, practicing other sports, serene swimming in the gentle waves, as well as natural pools for a relaxing holiday.

28. Lencois Maranhenses National Park (Marian State, Barreirinhas)

Dunes and lagoons of Lencois Maranhenses National Park

For fans of natural attractions, Brazil offers plenty of opportunities to contemplate the most breathtaking landscapes. Many attractions in Argentina and Brazil are located on the border of these two neighboring countries. These, for example, include the large-scale Iguazu Falls, which have become the property of the two states. Most natural objects are located on the territory of nature reserves. Among such places is the most beautiful national park Lencois Maranhenses, amazing with its mysterious nature - its entire territory is covered with snow-white sands, but it is by no means a desert. Heavy rains periodically occur here, forming between the rows sand dunes lagoons of incredible blue, turquoise and green colors.

29. Serra da Capivara National Park (Piahui State)

Canyon in Serra da Capivara National Park Py4nf Natural beauty of Serra da Capivara National Park

A unique reserve of archaeological monuments is located in the north-eastern part of the country - the Serra da Capivara National Park. The rocks located on its territory store numerous evidence of the cultural development of mankind - in their caves you can see unique examples of ancient rock paintings depicting scenes from the life of prehistoric people. These lands officially became protected in 1979, when a Brazilian female archaeologist organized the first excavations here, as a result of which dwellings and burials were found ancient man, as well as jewelry, objects of labor and works of art. To this day, archaeological research continues in this region and new discoveries are made.

30. Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco state)

Beautiful view aerial view of the beaches of Fernando de Noronha

350 kilometers from the northeastern coast of the country in Atlantic Ocean there is an archipelago of volcanic nature, consisting of 21 islands, and one of them, the largest, gave the name to the entire archipelago. This is the island of Fernando de Noronha, which was once given to a wealthy Lisbon merchant. The islands of the archipelago have a wonderful, warm tropical climate, with a dry season from August to January. Here you can see several ancient buildings - for example, a historical church or palace, as well as pousadas in the Portuguese colonial style. The island's stunning beaches are ideal for relaxing, diving and sailing.

UNESCO World Heritage List in Brazil (19)
Cultural

City of Brasilia (1987)

Brasilia, the capital, founded on a previously empty site in the heart of the country in 1956, has become a significant site in the history of urban planning. City planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer believed that every element, from the layout of residential and administrative areas to the symmetrical design of the buildings themselves, should be in harmony with the overall design concept of the city (with its layout the city resembles a flying bird). The innovative architecture of the capital's official buildings is impressive.

Historic center of Salvador de Bahia (1985)

Historic center of Salvador di Bahia
Formerly the first capital of Brazil from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia became a melting pot of European, African and American culture. Beginning in 1558, the city was the first market in the New World to trade slaves brought to work on sugar plantations. The city has preserved a large number of outstanding buildings in the Renaissance style. A special feature of the old part of the city are buildings of different colors with interesting stucco stucco.

Historic Downtown of San Luis (1997)

Historic center of San Luis
Founded by the French, then occupied by the Dutch and finally taken over by the Portuguese, the core of this historic city, which took shape in the 17th century, has retained its original rectangular layout. Due to economic stagnation at the beginning of the 20th century, most of the historic buildings have survived to this day, making San Luis an outstanding example colonial city Iberian type.

Historic center of Diamantina (1999)

Historic center of Diamantina
Diamantina is a colonial settlement surrounded by harsh rocky mountains, recreates life during the era of diamond seekers in the 18th century. The city is a symbol of the triumph of cultural and artistic activity of people living in unfavorable natural conditions.

Historic center of Goiás (2001)

The city of Goiás is a witness to the development and colonization of central Brazil in XVIII-XIX centuries. The town's layout is an example of the organic development of a mining settlement, well adapted to the conditions of the area. The city's public and private architecture is modest, but forms a harmonious whole through the use of local materials and traditional building techniques.

Historic center of Olinda (1982)

The history of this city, founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, is associated with the production of cane sugar. The urban development, restored after the sack of the city by the Dutch, refers mainly to XVIII century. The harmonious combination of buildings, gardens, 20 Baroque churches, monasteries and many small "passos" (chapels) contribute to Olinda's special charm.

Historic city of Ouro Preto (1980)

Founded at the end of the 17th century, the city of Ouro Preto (“Black Gold”) became the main center of the “gold rush” in the 18th century, which then led to the onset of the “golden age” of Brazil. After the depletion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city's importance declined, but many churches, bridges and fountains remain proof of its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.

Jesuit missions in the lands of the Guarani Indians: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria la Mayor (Argentina); ruins of Sao Miguel das Misões (Brazil) (1983)

The ruins of San Miguel das Misões in Brazil, as well as San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria la Mayor in Argentina, are in the midst of tropical forest. These are the impressive remains of five Jesuit missions built on the lands of the Guarani Indians during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each of them has a specific layout and varying degrees of preservation.

Rio de Janeiro (2012)

World Heritage Sites include coastline Rio de Janeiro with Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Church complex of Bom Jesus do Congonhas (1985)

The ecclesiastical complex of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, built in the second half of the 18th century in the state of Minas Gerais south of Belo Horizonte, consists of a church with a luxurious Rococo interior, an external staircase decorated with statues of prophets, and seven chapels dedicated to stops on the way to the place of Christ's crucifixion. Their multi-colored sculptures by Aleijadinho are prime examples of the original expressive forms of Baroque art.

Plaza San Francisco in the city of San Cristovao (2010)

Plaza San Francisco in the city of San Cristovao is a quadrangular open space surrounded by the monumental buildings of the San Francisco Temple and Convent, the Church and Santa Casa da Misericordia, a provincial-style palace and other buildings dating from various historical periods. This monumental ensemble and the surrounding eighteenth- and nineteenth-century houses create a cityscape that reflects the history of the city since its inception. It is an example of typical architecture of a religious nature that developed in northeastern Brazil.

Serra da Capivara National Park (1991)

Among the many rock shelters in the Serra da Capivara National Park, stand out caves decorated with paintings, in some cases more than 25 thousand years old. They are outstanding evidence of the existence of one of the most ancient human communities in South America.

Natural
Forest reserves of the southeastern Atlantic coast (1999)

The forest reserves of the southeastern Atlantic coast are the largest and most preserved tracts of Atlantic forest in all of Brazil. The 25 forest reserves, covering an area of 470,000 hectares, along the ocean coasts of the states of Paraná and São Paulo, demonstrate rich biodiversity and illustrate the evolution of surviving primary forests. The territory includes a wide range of different ecosystems (mountains covered with dense thickets, wetlands, dune complexes, islands) and is particularly picturesque.

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll (2001)

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll
The Fernando de Noronha archipelago and Rocas Atoll, which are the exposed peaks of the underwater South Atlantic Ridge, lie off the eastern coast of Brazil. These islands are among the largest in this area of the Atlantic, and their coastal waters are highly bioproductive and play an exceptional role as habitats and breeding grounds for tuna, sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals. The islands have the largest Western Atlantic concentrations of tropical sea birds; There is also a large local dolphin population here. During low tides on Rokas Atoll you can see an impressive picture: shallow lagoons teeming with fish.

Central Amazon Reserve (2000)

The Central Amazon Reserve is the largest complex of protected natural areas in the entire Amazon basin (6 million hectares) in terms of biodiversity - one of the richest regions on the planet. The lakes and channels form a mosaic and constantly evolving aquatic system that supports the world's largest population of electric eels. Rare and endangered species include the Amazonian manatee, black caiman, two species of river dolphins, and the giant arapaima fish.

National parks of the Campos Cerrado zone: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas (2001)

Flora and fauna of two national parks, forming this World Heritage Site, are typical of the wooded savannah zone - “Campos Cerrado”. This special type of savanna is recognized as one of the richest in biodiversity and one of the oldest ecosystems in terms of the time of its formation. tropical zone. For thousands of years, these places have acted as refuges for various species of animals and plants, especially during periods of sudden climate change. It is believed that in the future they will be able to act as centers for maintaining the biodiversity of the Campos Cerrado savannas.

East Atlantic Coast Forest Reserves (1999)

Eight protected natural areas (including three national parks) with a total area of 112 thousand hectares are located in the states of Bahia and Espirito Santo and include Atlantic rainforests and bushland (“restinga”). In terms of biodiversity, this area is one of the richest on the planet. The reserves are home to a number of endemic species, which makes it possible to trace the evolutionary path of living organisms, and this, in turn, is of great importance from both a scientific and environmental point of view.

Iguazu National Park (1986)

On the territory of this park there is one of the most grandiose waterfalls in the world with a front of falling water of 2.7 kilometers. A number of rare and endangered species of plants and animals are noted here, incl. a giant otter and a giant anteater. In the area irrigated by the spray of the waterfall, lush vegetation grows.

Pantanal Nature Reserve (2000)

Four natural reserve have total area 187.8 thousand hectares. They are located in west-central Brazil, in the southwestern part of the state of Mato Grosso, and make up 1.3% of the entire area of the Pantanal, one of the world's largest wetland tracts. Here are the origins of two largest rivers this region is Cuiaba and Paraguay, and the abundance and species diversity of plants and animals is exceptionally great.

We considered the eastern and southern parts of South America as part of two tourist mesoregions of the macroregion. One of them is the Brazilian tourist mesoregion, the second is the tourist mesoregion Temperate South America, which includes four countries (Paraguay, Argentina and Chile). Brazil is famous for its recreational resources, diverse nature and cultural heritage from the colonial era. The countries of Temperate South America amaze, first of all, with their picturesque virgin nature and the uniqueness of cultural monuments.

The cultural specificity of Temperate South America is determined by Catholic religion. In inland areas Brazil (in) and local traditional beliefs have been preserved. The indigenous Indian peoples of Chile belong to the Andean family: Quechua, Aymara, Araucanians, etc. The Indians of Brazil and Paraguay belong to two language families: Equatorial-Tucanoan (Arawak, Tupi, Tucano, etc.) and Pano-Caribbean (Caribbean, pano, etc.). The majority of the population consists of peoples of the Romance group of the Indo-European family: Chileans, Argentines, Uruguayans, Paraguayans speaking the language, as well as Brazilians speaking the Portuguese language.

By its name Federative Republic of Brazil(8 million 547.4 thousand sq. km, 196.3 million people in 2008) is due to the brazil tree (from brasa - “heat, hot coals”). This is how the Portuguese named red sandalwood - a tree with dense yellow-red wood, used at that time in the dyeing business. Brazil was originally called the Land of the Holy Cross. But Brazil wood was the main export item from this country, for which the latter received the name Brazil (Russian form - Brazil). The consolidation of this name was facilitated by the fact that in Europe from the 14th century. the mythical island of Brazil was known, lying somewhere in and classified as “vagrant”, i.e. changing their location.

Name Republic of Paraguay(406.8 thousand sq. km, 6.8 million people in 2008) comes from the river of the same name, which means “big” or “river-river” in translation from local Indian languages.

The name came about similarly Uruguay- from the river of the same name, the name of which in the language of the Tupi Indians means “bird or chicken river.” The full name of the state, adopted in 1830, is the Eastern Republic of Uruguay (176.2 thousand sq. km, 3.5 million people in 2008), which is due to the location of the republic on the eastern bank of the Uruguay River. During colonial times, the country's territory was part of the Spanish General Government as a province Eastern Shore, and from 1815 - the Eastern Province.

Argentine Republic occupies an area of 2 million 780 thousand square meters. km, the population in 2008 was 40.5 million people. The name Argentina appeared after the country's liberation from Spanish rule in 1826 and means “silver.” Prior to this, the territory of Argentina was called La Plata, after the common name of the river and bay, Rio de la Plata (“silver river”), adopted at that time.

Republic of Chile occupies an area of 756.6 thousand square meters. km, the population in 2008 was 16.5 million people. The name Chile in the language of the Arawak Indians means "cold, winter", which is associated with their perception of the snowy peaks of the Andes.

Total in Brazil and Temperate South America listed World Heritage UNESCO includes 31 sites, of which 20 are cultural monuments.

At the end of 2002, 104 sites were included in the UNESCO List, located in 23 countries in this region. Most of them

In Mexico (22),

In Brazil (16) and

To Peru (10)

Of these, 71 objects cultural heritage

Chronologically, they cover the period of time from the second millennium BC to the present day. But basically they represent the periods of the Middle Ages and modern times. Accordingly, they can be divided into objects of the pre-Columbian and post-Columbian eras

TO pre-Columbian era

The heritage sites of the three already mentioned Latin American civilizations are included.

In Mesoamerica these are world famous

Monuments of the Mayan Indians - the ruins of the cities of Palenque,

Chichen Itza,

Uxmal in Mexico,

on the Yukotan Peninsula,

Copan in Honduras

Monuments of the Aztecs in Central Mexico (Teotihuacan).

They are characterized by such monumental structures as

like step pyramids-teocalli,

palaces of rulers,

ball game courts.

In the Andean region, many objects date back to this era.

in Peru - the famous mysterious geoglyphs of the Nazca desert,

Fragments ancient capital Inca city of Cusco

in Colombia - archaeological parks San Agustin and Tierradentro

in Bolivia - the archaeological region of Tiwanaku near Lake. Titicaca

With a certain degree of convention, the world famous stone statues of Easter Island can be attributed to the Andean region Pacific Ocean, described by Thor Heyerdahl and other travelers

Post-Columbian era

Associated mainly with the Spanish and Portuguese colonization of Central and South America after the start of the Great Geographical Discoveries.

From Spanish Heritage objects of this era include

Cities with a rectangular layout characteristic of Spanish architecture of that time, a central square (“Plaza Mayor”), numerous Catholic cathedrals and monasteries, and palaces of the nobility.

In the West Indies this is, for example,

City of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, associated with

named after Columbus

The old part of Havana with its fortifications in Cuba

IN Central America

Historical centers of Mexico City, Puebla - in Mexico

Cities and fortresses in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama

Monuments of Cartagena in Venezuela,

Quito in Ecuador,

Cusco in Peru

Mining city of Potosi in Bolivia

Legacy of colonial Portugal widely represented in Brazil (the cities of Salvador, Olinda, Ouro Preto, etc.)

To objects modern times relate

New capital Brazil - the city of Brasilia, designed and built by Brazilian architects Luis Costa and Oscar Niemeyer and having in plan the symbolic shape of an airplane with a “fuselage” and “wings”. This is one of the most grandiose and organic urban planning projects of the 20th century in terms of design and execution.

Objects natural heritage in the region 30.

This National parks and reserves. Most Famous

Iguazu in Brazil and Argentina

Los Glaciares in Argentina

Manu in Peru

Galapagos Islands in Ecuador

Journey Four(Part 2)

The Federative Republic of Brazil acceded to the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention in 1977, and the first Brazilian site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980.

However, in terms of the time when the protection of cultural heritage sites of an urban planning scale began, Brazil is one of the first places in the world, since back in 1933. Her most famous historical city Ouro Preto was declared a national monument, where the demolition of old buildings was prohibited and restrictions were introduced on the construction of new ones.

In general, the 1910s are considered to be the origin of activities to preserve historical and cultural monuments in Brazil. And in 1937 laws were passed on organizing the protection of national historical and artistic heritage throughout the country, and on the creation of the Service (later the Secretariat) of the National Historical and Artistic Heritage - SPHAN, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Health (now it is the Institute under the Ministry of Culture - IPHAN). The Institute has an extensive heritage management system consisting of 14 regional superintendents, each of which controls from one to three states, and 19 sub-regional services in places of greatest concentration of heritage sites.

In total, IPHAN controls more than 16 thousand buildings recognized as monuments, 50 city centers and ensembles, 5 thousand archaeological heritage sites, museums, libraries, archives, etc.

Unlike "Spanish America", many parts of which had rich real estate cultural heritage, dating back to the period before colonization, in “Portuguese” Brazil the formation of architecture and cities occurs at a later time (no earlier than the mid-XYI century) and reflects the combination of three cultural traditions: European (in the Portuguese and, partly, Dutch interpretation), African and Indian. In various parts of the country and individual cities located hundreds, and sometimes thousands of kilometers apart, these impacts manifested themselves in different proportions. As a result, at an early stage of the country’s development, before the establishment of stable interregional ties, what D. Ribeiro defined as “isolated islands of culture” arose in certain parts of Brazil. This largely influenced the specifics of the cultural heritage and the entire character of the historical environment of cities and regions. In this regard, five leading regional cultures of Brazil are usually identified. Of these, the urban sites that eventually became part of the World Heritage Site were most influenced by the Kriola cultures in the northeast of the country, and the Caipira cultures in the state of São Paulo and the region of the main mining centers.

At the same time (although there is still no complete agreement among Brazilian specialists, both regarding the advisability of preserving only immovable monuments and urban ensembles as a sphere of preserved heritage, or the desirability of its extension to intangible heritage, and regarding the starting point in the emergence of Brazilian national culture) , in the aspect of architectural and urban heritage that interests us, everything clearly converges on development on the foundation of Portuguese culture. At the same time, experts note the exceptionally strong influence of the traditions of folk architecture in Portugal, which is distinguished by its particular purity and unpretentiousness - features that persisted in Brazil until the mid-nineteenth century.

Activities to identify and preserve cultural heritage in Brazil are developing with great difficulties, determined by the traditional orientation in society towards modernization and the creation of “new values”, what is sometimes called Brazilian modernism. However, as of the end of 1998. the list of urban heritage sites under the control of IPHAN alone already includes 57 items. These facilities are located in 49 cities in 17 states and the Federal District. The number of buildings included within the boundaries of each of them ranges from 10 to 2000, and their total number in all objects on the list is slightly more than 18 thousand.

Actually, there are three separate lists (“books”) for different objects: artistic (or “fine arts”), archaeological-ethnographic-landscape and historical. The same object may be included in one, two, or all three lists, which implies slightly different approaches to the protection of specific heritage sites.

The earliest inclusions in the lists (1938) and significant in size objects of cultural heritage of Brazil are the “architectural and urban ensembles” of the cities of the state of Minas Gerais: Ouro Preto (1100 buildings), Diamantina (1200 buildings), Sao Joao del Rey (700 buildings), Mariana (500 buildings), Serru (300 buildings), Tiradentes (150 buildings). The first two of them, as is known, have already become part of the World Heritage Site.

Among other historical cities, the ensembles of which were taken under protection in later years, deserve special mention for the size and value of these ensembles: those included in the World Heritage List are Salvador (state of Bahia - 2000 buildings), San Luis (state of Maranhão - 1000 buildings) , Olinda (Pernambuco state - 600 buildings), the federal capital of Brasilia, as well as Alcantara (Maranhão state), Paraty (Rio de Janeiro state), Cachoeira, Lencois, Porto Seguro (all in the state of Bahia), Laranjeiras (Sergipe state ), Pinedo (State of Alagoas), Laguna (State of Santa Catarina), Pirenúpolis (State of Goiás), Cuiaba (State of Mato Grosso), Natividadi (State of Tocantins).

In the early 2000s. There are 9 Brazilian sites on the World Heritage List, of which 8 are cultural heritage, including 6 cities represented by their historical centers, or even included in the List entirely, like Ouro Preto and Brasilia. The last of them is, in general, the only urban planning object of the 20th century in the world included in the List as an example of a new city created according to a single project.

Source: Khait V.L. The art of Brazil: history and modernity. Essays. M., Art, 1989.
Parent M. Protection et mise en valeur du patrimoine cultural brésilien dans le cadre du dévelopment touristique et économique. Paris, UNESCO, 1968 (short version in Russian in: “UNESCO Courier”, No. 138, 1968. P. 14).
Brasil. Territory, people, work, culture. Coord. Lobello M. São Paulo, 1997.
Relação dos Sítios Urbanos Tombados pelo IPHAN. In: Manual do Inventário National de Bens Imóveis. // Deportamento de Identificação e Documentação. Setor de Inventario de Bens Imóveis. 1998.
Da Silva M.A. Colonial past through modern eyes: patrimony and memory in Brazil. In: Built Heritage and Society. Tusnad 2000 - Proceedings. Cluj-N., Ed. Utilitas, 2000. P.91-92.
Patrimônios da Humanidade no Brasil - World Heritage Sites in Brazil. Text: P.Tirapeli. São Paulo, 2000.
Briefly about Brazil // Embassy of Brazil (in Moscow). M., 2001.

We also used materials that were kindly provided to the author:

V.L. Hight - Director of NIITAG RAASN, Lia Motta - employee of the IPHAN superintendency in Rio de Janeiro, Giovana Buckley - consultant from UNESCO in the Technical Assistance Group in Ouro Preto, Paulo Rocha Cipriano ( Paulo Rocha Cypriano) - Secretary for Culture of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow.

It might be useful to read: