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Iguassu Falls/Brazilian South

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Welcome to Southern Brazil!!!

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Section of Iguassu Falls, Parana State-Brazil. The world's largest falls.

The South is one of Brazil's most prosperous regions. Southern cities are usually clean and safe, and most of its inhabitants are of northern European descant. Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul are the names of the 3 southern states. About 45 million people (est.2000 ) live in this region of Brazil. Porto Alegre(2,7 million), Curitiba (2 million), and Florianopolis (500,000) are the main cities of the south. Throughout the region the tourist will find many mid size cities (pop between 200-700 thousand inhab.). The most important cities of that category are: Londrina, Maringa', Cascavel, Rio Grande, Pelotas, Joinville, Foz do Iguassu, Paranagua, and Blumenau. The southern economy used to be based on the agribusiness industry, but that scenario has dramatically changed in the past few years. Today this region of Brazil is responsible for a high percentage of the country's automobile manufacturing production. Itaipu, the world's largest Dam, makes of this region one of Brazil's most important producers of electricity.

Parana State


Parana is the first state you'll encounter when you get to the Brazilian South. Curitiba (2 million), Parana's capital, is one of Latin America's leading cities when the subject is "quality of life". Although Curitiba is a city of 2 million, it managed to preserv its mid size town atmosphere. Founded by the Portuguese over 300 years ago, and settled by immigrants (such as Italians, Polish, Ukranians, Germans, and Japanese), Curitiba is a melting pot! Throughout the city you'll find many charming old buildings, gardens, and interesting new architecture.

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View of Curitiba (2 million inhab.) surrounded by mountains.

Curitiba has wonderful parks (such as the city's botanical gardens), and very exquisit modern buildings. The city's Opera is a very good example of Curitiba's interesting new architecture. It was built on steel and glass in between a cliff, and the waters of a lagoon. It is absolutely beaultiful.

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Rua das Flores St., downtown Curitiba.

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Rischbieter Botanical gardens, Curitiba.

Curitiba's educational system is very good, crime is low, (streets are very clean), and people are very friendly. There is a lot of style and charm to this city. I have no doubt you'll like it. I'd recommend the tourist to spend 3 days there before going to Iguassu falls. Believe me it's worth it!

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Palacio Avenida (Headquaters of the HSBC Bank of Brazil). Children's choral performance at Xmas time, Curitiba.

Facts about the city:
Curitiba is Brazil's 9th largest city.
Renault, Chrystler, BMW, and Audi-Wolksvagen are investing billions of dollars to manufacture automobiles in the city's metro area.

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Curitiba's Ukranian immigration memorial

It is very easy to go by car from Curitiba to other Brazilian destinations such as Sao Paulo City (20 million), and Rio (12,5 million). The European towns of Santa Catarina, the Gaucho country, and Iguassu Falls aren't actually that far from the city. The state's roads are very good, travelling by car is recommended.

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Curitiba's Japanese Immigration Memorial.

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Parana State University, Curitiba.

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Another of Curitiba's parks.

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Merces TV Tower, Curitiba.

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Curitiba's 24hrs. St.

Although Curitiba is no Salvador-Bahia, the city's cultural schedule one of Brazil's busiest! Music festivals, and art exhibits (among other cultural events) happen in a regular basis.

Other places the tourist should go within Parana State:

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Iguassu falls (nearby the city of Foz do Iguassu) the World's largest waterfalls. Simply magnificent! Iguassu is several times larger than Niagra, and taller than Angel falls (Venezuela). The waterfalls are located at the Argentina/Brazil border.

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View of Maringa, one of Parana's many mid size cities.

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Itaipu Dam, Parana State. By far the world's largest (border of Brazil and Paraguay).

Itaipu is one of the most important constructions ever made by mankind. Underneath its artificial lake lies the world's "ex largest" waterfall. Once known as Guaira 7 Falls, it was covered by water when the construction of Itaipu was finished. That's the price Brazil had to pay for its development. Local lore says that one day, when our society develop better ways of generating electricity, Guaira 7 falls will be brought back to "life" (producing some of the most beaultiful images mankind has ever seen!) Below you'll see an old picture of Guaira.

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Guaira was subdevided in 19 giant falls( gathered in 7 different groups), here is one of them.


State of Santa Catarina

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Hercilio Luz Suspention Bridge, Florianopolis (500,000 inhab). Capital of Santa Catarina State.

Although Santa Catarina was founded by the Portuguese, Germans became its most predominant ethnic group. The Polish, as well as other Eastern European nacionalities, were major influences during the formation of the state's population. Santa Catarina is home to wonderful sand dune beaches on the coast, and European-Brazilian towns up in the mountains (where it actually snows during the wintertime). Florianopolis (500,000 inhab) is the state's capital, other important cities are: Blumenau, Joinville, Brusque, Sao Joaquim, Pomerode and Camboriu.

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Joinville, Santa Catarina.

Although Santa Catarina has a predominantly German based culture, its cities differ from one another in many aspects. Camboriu is a beach community (Rio's style), while Blumenau, Joinville, and Brusque are more like the German countryside. Once a year Blumenau holds the world's 2nd largest beer festival, the Oktoberfest, which attracts over a million tourists in a week!

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SnOW In BrAZIL!!! That is something you've never expected to see, have you? Town of Sao Joaquim.

More pictures of Santa Catarina:.

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Oktoberfest parade, city of Blumenau.

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Hercilio Luz Bridge at night, Florianopolis (capital of Santa Catarina).

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Beto Carrero World (Amusement Park). Penha County, Santa Catarina. One of the world's 5 largest theme parks.

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City of Camboriu, Santa Catarina.


State of Rio Grande do Sul

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Porto Alegre ( 2,7 million inhab.). The most important city of the South.

The State of Rio Grande do Sul is one of Brazil's most important economies. "Rio Grande" is a very large producer of steel, fine chemicals, shoes, and clothing. GM is installing automobile manufacturing plants there, which will make the local economy even more diverse. Rio Grande's agriculture is very strong, as well its traditional cattle farming industry. Porto Alegre is well known throughout Brazil for its high standards of living. The State was settled around the same time as Cisplatina (Ex-Brazilian province, that became independent last century. Today known as Uruguay). Jesuit missioners were the first colonizers, but the French, Germans, Italians, and Eastern Europeans (Romanian, Russian, Hungarian, Polish) moved to the state in much larger numbers.

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Gasometro, one of Porto Alegre's landmarks.

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View of the Guaiba river, Porto Alegre-Brazil.

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Porto Alegre's Metropolitan Cathedral.

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Mario Quintana Museum, Porto Alegre City (2,7 million)

Rio Grande do Sul isn't only Brazil's southernmost state. It's also the force that drives the Brazilian south towards its development. Within the state's territory there are many European-Brazilian cities such as Gramado, Canela, and Novo Hamburgo. There are also several nice beaches, excelent roads, and 2 of Brazil's largest lagoons. Porto Alegre (the state's capital) is located in between the Guaiba River river, and Lake Patos ( which is separated from the ocean by a narrow peninsule).

Pictures of Rio Grande's Charming countryside (Gaucho Countryside):

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Cliffs of the state's national park. Gaucho Countryside

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Entrance to the city of Gramado.

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Tourism Office of Gramado.

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Waterfall nearby Canela, a lovely Brazilian-European town.

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Snow falling upon the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul. Gaucho Countryside.

The Brazilian South is a very interesting place, I hope you enjoyed the ride.

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