Brazil
Brazil is still probably thought of by many as unreachable in terms of investment or holiday homes, but with the advent of cheaper air fares and new, affordable developments being built, properties in Brazil actually warrant a closer look.
Geography
Brazil is the largest of the countries in the continent of South America, taking up the north east portion and almost half of the continent’s total area. Although the coastal regions in particular are now well developed, the interior still remains relatively untouched and it is here that you will find one-third of the world’s remaining tropical rainforest in the Amazon basin.
The capital city is Brasilia, inland, and is relatively small in size compared to Brazil’s largest city Sao Paulo which is further south and near the coast. North along the coast you will find Rio de Janeiro, famous for its carnivals and beaches.
On the eastern tip of Brazil is the state of Rio Grande do Norte and Vogue Estates are pleased to offer real estate in Brazil in this area. The coastal region apparently has the second purest air in the world and offers miles of beautiful white, sandy beaches, high sand dunes, lagoons and coconut palms. Surfing here in this veritable paradise is very popular and there’s an abundance of other water sports available too.
New resort developments are taking place near the state’s capital city of Natal and with its international airport, getting here is very easy. This is certainly becoming the new Brazil property hotspot and offers affordable housing and living. When not lounging around the beach, a visit to Natal or other nearby towns is worthwhile to see the attractive architecture, if nothing else.
The climate here is semi-arid with little rainfall; sometimes years may pass without a drop. Year-round warm and dry weather is almost guaranteed with temperatures averaging in the mid 20’s C.
History
Brazil was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the colonists quickly created an agricultural economy with the main focus being on the export of sugar back to Europe. The country also helped the Portuguese after gold and diamonds were discovered and mined in the Minas Gerais state in the south east.
Independence from Portugal was declared in 1822 following a number of political arguments between the two and Brazil officially became a Republic in 1889. Between the two World Wars Brazil fell under a dictatorship but was able to come out of this, establishing its current Federal Constitution in 1988 and is now governed as a presidential federal republic similar to that of the US.
Cuisine
Brazilian cuisine varies hugely across the country, falling into 5 main regions. In the northeast region, including Rio Grande do Norte, much of the agriculture is tropical produce and cooking heavily relies on these ingredients. The staple foods are tropical fruits, such as mango, papaya, pineapple and orange plus coconut, seafood and shellfish are common too.
Currency
The Brazilian Real is the official currency which uses the symbol R$. One ‘real’ contains 100 centavo.
Language
Due to the colonisation of Brazil by the Portuguese, Portuguese has stood as the official language of the country.
Featured Property
Lagoa do Coelho
- Price : 79,900 EUR
- Location : Natal
- Description:
Lagoa do Coelho will without a doubt become one of the most exclusive resorts in Natal. Located just north of the city, within 15 minutes of the new airport and less than 500 metres from the beach, it is all about location and luxury. A wide range of apartments is on offer, with a choice of layouts....