ETHNIC TOURISM. Ethnic tourism consists of visiting locations where distinct ways of life can be observed and explored. The goal is to closely see small social groups in their natural environment, with their particularities and traditions – and thus, learn from them. This kind of tourism emerged in the world tourism scenario as a leisure option for people interested in leaning about different peoples, cultures and traditions. Moreover, it has been conquering more and more adepts around the world. Brazil is one of the most sought after destinations for such trips as it holds over 600 indigenous reserves spread out nationwide. There are currently about 220 indigenous peoples here, who speak over 180 distinct languages, totaling about 370 thousand individuals. The major part of this population is distributed in thousands of villages, situated in the interior of indigenous lands. Some Brazilian locations stand out when it comes to ethnical tourism. Such is the case of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in the State of Amazonas, where one can find representatives of the tribes Piratapuias, Tucanos, Desanas, Banivas, Barés and Ianomâmis. Every year, there is a Cultural festival of the Tribes of Alto Rio Negro (Up river region) where their handcrafts and cuisine are introduced to visitors and tourists during a joyous festivity. The preparations serve to teach the youth of the tribes, preserving ancient rituals. In the Northeastern Region, the Potyguara serve as a good example among the indigenous peoples of the region. With an estimated population of 7,575 people distributed into 33 centers in three indigenous lands on the Northern Coast of the state of Paraíba. Its history of contact with the non-indigenous society originates from the beginning of colonisation. Today, they strive to uphold the vigour of their ethnical identity by re-learning their native language, Tupi; and the realisation of the Toré, a complex ritual that celebrates the friendship between distinct villages, strengthening the feeling of unison, and of a nation. If ethnic tourism is your thing, do not waste time. Come to Brazil and become a fan. Brazil is South America's giant, a dazzling land of pristine beaches, steamy jungles and manic metropolises. Music and dancing are as integral here as eating and sleeping, and you'll find as many regional styles as there are shades of people, from samba's sensual rhythms to Bahia's axé -charged beats. While it may not be the Eden of popular imagination, Brazil is still a country of staggering beauty. There are stretches of unexplored rainforest, islands with divine tropical beaches, and endless rivers. Then there are the people themselves, who delight visitors with their energy and joy.

Archeology Would you like to learn more about who they were and how the first Americans lived? Come to Brazil. With sites of about 12 thousand years old, the country is a privileged destination for archeological tourism adepts. The major Brazilian reference in archeology is the National Serra da Capivara Park, located in the State of Piauí. Created to protect the area where the largest and most ancient archeological set of the Americas is found, it was registered in the list of Humanity’s Cultural and World Heritage in 1991. In Serra da Capivara, surrounded by grand rocky formations and bushy vegetation, it is possible to see the marks left by pre-historic people. These traces – ceramic vases, utensils in cut and polished stone and above all, stone art, reveal that their authors had great development and technical capacity. The primitive illustrations, present in over 700 registered sites, form a graphic communications system, one of the first in the world. They show scenes of everyday life, rituals, myths and ceremonies. Although the thematic has been the same over millennia, a more attentive analysis allows one to see the evolution of this art, which shows technical variations in drawing and painting, and in the composition of the scenes. Other locations spread out throughout Brazil offer good tour options for archeology lovers. In the State of Piauí, it is also worth visiting the Sete Cidades National Park, with its sand walls filled with pre-historic writings of about six thousand years old. In Chapada Diamantina, State of Bahia, there are stone paintings spread out in the caverns of Lapa and Doce, attesting the human presence there ages ago. In the State of Minas Gerais, one can visit the Serra do Cipó national park, where the Danish Peter Lund discovered the mortal remains of the “ Santa Lagoon Man”, who supposedly lived there about 10 years ago. In the state of Mato Grosso, the attraction is Chapada dos Guimarães, with 50 archeological sites already catalogued, and human traces of 12 thousand years old. Finally, we have the Tijuca National Park, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with 130 historic and archeological sites. There are countless alternatives. Just choose one, visit and delight yourself with the archeological wealth stored in Brazil. Come, and become a fan! Featured Cities/TownsSão Miguel das Missões. To visit the Missions is to know a Historical and Cultural World Heritage site and delve into the “gaucho” culture. Serra da Capivara. This is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site, with 744 pre-historic sites and more than 30 thousand cave pictures spread across sedimentary rock walls.