Samba, carnival, football and beach culture?this is the popular image of Brazil. But behind its endless palm-fringed beaches lies a huge variety of scenery from steaming tropical rainforests to the sunlit slopes of the southern vineyards. There's plenty of exotic wildlife on display but it's the people that give the country its unique identity?Amazônian indians, Portuguese colonists, African, European and Japanese communities which both co-exist independently and fuse into a rich mélange of cultures, producing art, architecture, music and dance, imbued with a devil-may-care gaiety. Brazil is a country of extremes but today has a robust emergent economy. There's a comprehensive network of roads and air routes covering the huge distances. Many attractions have been developed sensitively for tourism; others left in their natural state. You'll find a huge range of accommodation and there's a relaxed, informal and friendly welcome everywhere.74

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