Northeastern Brazil

By Christopher Minster

The Brazilian northeast is known for its history, beaches, and water sports. It is comprised of several smaller states: Alagous, Bahía, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grando do Norte, and Sergipe.

The region has a very interesting history: there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be found in the Brazilian northeast. The first is at Olinda, the site of the first permanent Portuguese settlement. It was founded in 1534 and has a long and colorful history: the area was the target of Dutch pirates in the seventeenth century. From this site, the Portuguese began exploiting the resources of the New World, first by logging and exporting the pau-brasil tree from which the country takes its name. Later, the area became an important producer of sugarcane.

The other world heritage site is Pelourinho in the city of Salvador, capital of Bahía province. Pelourinho, which translates as ‘whipping post,’ was the old slave auction site. Newly imported slaves from Africa were brought to Salvador to be sold. Today Pelourinho is a cultural, artistic, and social center in Salvador and well worth a visit.

Salvador

Salvador itself is a large, friendly city with beautiful beaches and much to offer the visitor. Many of the Africans who were brought to the New World remained in the Salvador region, and the city has a large Afro-Brazilian population. Much of their culture has survived, and there are good restaurants, dance and music shows featuring such traditional instruments as the berimbau, and capoeira (Brazilian martial arts/dancing) demonstrations. While you’re in town, check out the Lacerda elevator, a massive structure built in the nineteenth century to haul goods from the port to the city above.

Salvador is also a scuba diver’s paradise: there are numerous wrecks in the bay, from centuries-old Portuguese galleons to an enormous Greek freighter that sank in the 1980's.  SCUBA Diving in Salvador is a very popular activity.

Recife

Recife, capital of the province of Pernambuco, is another popular destination. It was founded about two hundred years ago, and in the last thirty years it has gone an extensive renovation. Today, it is beautiful and clean. The average temperature of 80 degrees (27 Celsius) makes for a pleasant climate in which to visit Recife’s many beautiful beaches.

Salvador and Recife are both known for their carnaval festivities. Unlike the more famous celebrations in Rio, where spectators watch from enormous stands, in Salvador the people form the processions and walk through the streets, playing music and partying day and night.

While you’re in the northeast region, try the moqueca, a local dish which is basically a fish stew.

For ancient history buffs, the Pedra Furada Park is located in the northeastern region. This park features extensive prehistoric cave paintings and archaeological sites some believe may be as much as 50,000 years old.