Welcome to our Major Cities page. In recent years, Brazil has seen a steady increase in the tourist flow, with 5.1 million tourists visiting the country in 1999. A considerable percentage of those sought the major cities, in addition to others in search of other attractions such as eco-tourism and small-town historical sites. Be it a family vacation or an executive visiting on business, Brazil's cities offer a wide range of attractions and services, from white-sand beaches to internationally recognized museums, to fancy restaurants, to historical landmarks.

Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte, the first modern Brazilian city to spring from an architect's drawing board, was especially designed for its role as the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Its wide, landscaped avenues and carefully planned residential suburbs have, however, suffered the impact of the country's high rate of urbanization.

Belo Horizonte is the distribution and processing centre of a rich agricultural and mining region and the nucleus of a burgeoning industrial complex. Its chief manufactures are steel, steel products, automobiles, and textiles. Gold, manganese, and gemstones of the surrounding region are processed in the city. Belo Horizonte is also a leading cultural centre, with three universities, a historical museum, numerous libraries, and sports stadiums. The climate is refreshing and cool. Click here for more on Belo Horizonte

Rio de Janeiro

With the inauguration of Brasília, Rio de Janeiro ceased to be Brazil's capital. Even today, discussion is rife concerning whether Rio was improved or hurt by the transfer of the government. In any event, this second largest city in Brazil is still a major cultural capital and, to some extent, its "emotional" capital as well. Rio de Janeiro has a majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled between a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and an abruptly rising mountain range, covered by a luxuriant tropical forest, on the other. This unique landscape makes Rio one of the most beautiful cities in the world, justifying its title of "Marvellous City" ("Cidade Maravilhosa"). Rio's cultural life is intense and varied.

Economically it is a service industry centre, a key financial centre, and the producer of foodstuffs, building materials, electrical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and textiles. But it is in the pursuit of leisure that Rio is outstanding. With its world famous beaches free to all (such as Copacabana and Ipanema), its splendid bay, and its wonderful climate, a blend of summer and springtime, Rio de Janeiro is a city that lives in and for the sun. Click here for more on Rio De Janeiro

Salvador

Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, was the first major port and the capital of colonial Brazil for almost two centuries. The city lies between green tropical hills and broad beaches along the bay of Todos os Santos. It was built on two levels with administration buildings and residences constructed on the hills; forts, docks, and warehouses on the beaches. To this day the city is still divided into upper and lower cities. From 1500 to 1815 Salvador was the nation's busiest port. A significant portion of the sugar from the northeast and gold and diamonds from the mines in the south passed through Salvador. It was a golden age for the town; magnificent homes and churches resplendent in gold decoration were built. Many of the city's baroque churches, private homes, squares, and even the hand-chipped paving bricks have been preserved as part of Brazil's historic patrimony.

In Salvador, more than anywhere else in the country, the African influence in the makeup of Brazilian culture is readily visible, from the spicy dishes still called by their African names (caruru, vatapá, acarajé), to the ceremonies of candomblé which honour both African deities and Catholic holidays, to the capoeira schools where a unique African form of ritualistic fighting is taught. Click here for more on Salvador

São Paulo

The Jesuits founded São Paulo in 1554, on a plateau 760 metres above sea level, but only 72 km from the coast, as a mission centre for early settlers and the Indians who inhabited the area. For a long time it remained a small town. Around 1850 it began to grow and became richer thanks to the highly productive coffee plantations in the state. Later on, the income from coffee exports and the increasing population provided capital and manpower for the foundation of an industrial base. Today there are over 20,000 industrial plants of all types and sizes concentrated in the city and the surrounding municipalities employing 600,000 workers. São Paulo is also the major financial centre in Brazil with nearly 2,000 banking agencies. Click here for more on São Paulo