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Brazilian Culture is rich and complex. Brazil was forged by the dreams and
energy of European, Asian and Arab immigrants; by the hard labor of the
Africans and by the love of its native Indians.
Brazilian people are, perhaps, the most ethnically mixed people in the
world. A complex race produced by the unparalleled blending that took
place in this immense country.
By walking down the streets of Brazil, especially in the large cities,
particularly São Paulo, you can witness this diversity right on the faces
of the people. It is an exotic display of different skin color, hair type, eye color and shape, height,
build and so on. These are the people that molded Brazil and shaped its
culture.
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Downtown São Paulo
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Unique Cultural Heritage in Latin America
Although the country wasn’t colonized by the Spanish, Brazil is a Latin
American country. The colonial Brazil was invaded by the Dutch and desired
by the Spanish but the Portuguese crown kept a tight hold on its largest and richest
colony.
It was the only Portuguese colony in the Americas. Therefore the official
language in Brazil is Portuguese and not Spanish as people sometimes
confuse. Moreover, Brazilians do not share the same physical or cultural
traits of its Latin neighbors and pride themselves as a unique people.
An
Eclectic Mix
Brazilian culture is rich in its folklore, music, literature,
architecture
and art in general. There are common cultural characteristics and also
regional ones. In the northeast, the African influence was strong and is
noticeable in religion, food and music.
In the south, where there was affluence of European immigrants, we can
find strong European architectural features. The Native Indian character
prevails in the north region. And in the very urban southeast, there is a
potpourri of it all.
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Tres
Poderes Square - Brasília Distrito Federal |
Statues of the Prophets
by Aleijadinho Congonhas do Campo, Minas Gerais |
This level of race mingling originated some peculiarities. For instance,
for the most part, the class division in Brazil is defined by wealth and
not by ethnicity.
Through
Brazil travel, you will be able to see a lot of Brazilian cultural
characteristics, no matter what part of the country you visit.
So here
is an overview of some Brazilian cultural features. Articles on what’s
new in music, books, films, trends and art in general will be published in
Brazil-Travelnet News, our monthly newsletter (coming soon).
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Joinville Dance Festival
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