Geo Tour of Brazil
When
coming to Brazil, one should consider a stay at the Augusto Copacabana Hotel
because of its locational convenience to the beach, food, shopping, and other
sites (Spatial Tradition of Geography). It is two blocks from Copacabana Beach.
Its rates are quite reasonable compared to the other hotels nearby without
compromising quality. Aside from all the modern amenities one might expect at an
upscale hotel, Augusto’s offers a free complimentary breakfast every morning.
During the tour, please eat local fair at some of the tour sites and locally
recommended restaurants you hear about on tour or while shopping at Rio Sul
shopping center, two miles away from Augusto’s hotel. However, for dinner it is
safer to come back to your room early and order room service and enjoy the
beautiful view of Copacabana Beach nights.
There are so many wonderful things to do in Brazil. First explore Rio de Janeiro’s architectural heritage by visiting the Arcos de Lapa which symbolizes Rio de Janeiro’s colonial period. It was reportedly inaugurated in 1750 under the government of Ayres de Saldanha and administered by the engineer José Fernandes Alpoim. It was built in order to end the problem of the constant lack of water in Rio de Janeiro towards the end of the eighteenth century.
On
a Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, one should re-explore the religious history of the
city by visiting the Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer statue. Every year, over
300,000 people visit the statue of Christ, using the centenary Corcovado Train
which is the oldest tourist ride in the country. Once at the top, tourists can
marvel at the huge white statue of Christ the Redeemer. This statue has become a
symbol of the City and its people. After that head out to the coast where there
is a hippie market in Praça General Osório at Ipanema Beach for a different
beach party experience. There cultural handcrafts, clothes, and souvenirs from
Rio de Janeiro are sold.
Then
try out the physical geography ( Earth Science tradition) on your next day of
adventure. Between São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca, Pedra da Gávea is a granite
rock that rises 842 meters above sea level. It was originally used as a lookout
for ships in the Atlantic. If you feel the urge for sport this site is now
popular with rock climbers and those who want to see the glyphs carved into the
rock.
Pão
de Açúcar - Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of
Rio's most famous landmark. It's the premier site to view the city, sea, and
mountain ranges. Take the funicular ride up for a glorious view of the Guanabara
Bay, Botafogo beach to the North and Copacabana to the South, with the city
spread in between. Don’t forget to check out the old open-air cable car on
display that was used in the '30s. Feeling tired, there are vendors selling
coconuts and juice and other food or refreshments.
For more sporting adventures, venture out to the Parque Nacional and Floresta da Tijuca. This is the best place to visit to get an idea of what Rio once previously looked like physically before deforestation on the rainforest was engaged massively to clear way for urban development (Human-Land Tradition). This park has over 46 square miles of tropical rain forest, walking trails, stunning views of the city, waterfalls, creeks and wonderfully varied greenery. This is the largest urban reserve in the world. It is regionally different from the Rio urban center. Serious hikers can climb to the 3320 feet summit of Pico da Tijuca, and others can visually enjoy the 115 feet waterfall, Cascatinha de Taunay, at the Alto da Boa Vista.
For Americans, Europeans, or others interested in war history, a trip to the Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da II Guerra Mundial, translated to the National Monument of World War II Deaths, would be a good experience, especially at this time in our history it is good to be reminded of what we faced in the past. It is located at Avenida (Avenue) Infante Dom Henrique, 75, Parque do Flamengo. This monument is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the WWII European theater of war, especially in Italy. The monument also has a small museum with military artifacts from those war years, a mausoleum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and is guarded by the three Armed Forces. This is a respectful and affordable trip since the entry is free.
Four Traditions of Geography
The Spatial Tradition
· Modern Brazil was built primarily on the eastern portion as one can tell from analyzing a map, like Rio de Janeiro, creating great ports and a monopoly on regional trade for a time.
· The reason most urbanized or non-indigenous places weren’t built in the interior is because the Amazon forest is a vast forest or jungle system slowing interior development, making costal locations more suitable to inhabit.
· The forest is too dense, indefensible, and the movement and transportation of motor-traveling people and goods are a huge difficulty.
The Area Studies Tradition
· Brazil defers from the mid-latitude climate of the United States Southern region.
· Brazil’s seasons are almost reverse to that of the United States and Europe.
· Brazil has excessive rainfall and Southern U.S. has droughts.
· Brazil’s cities are deforested and vary from the tropical rainforest.
The Human-Land Tradition
· Deforestation results in the extinction of hundreds of species each year as cities expand and new communities are built.
· Some oxygen loss occurs with the loss of Amazon plant life.
· Amazon Forest used to absorb excess Carbon Dioxide, but absorbs little as people cut and burn the forest.
· Greenhouse gases affect the climate, as loss of trees means the loss of rain and the absorbance of harmful pollutants and gases affecting climate patterns.
· Indigenous people are endangered by this trend as well, and they may flee to cities like Rio or Sao Paolo to find other means of living, creating a wave of mostly illiterate and unskilled workers to the urban centers.
The Earth Science Tradition
· Impanema and Copacabana are marvelous coastal land and water sites.
· 46 sq. mi. of the National Park is still tropical rainforest, like Pre-Colonial Rio.
· Also, one can enjoy the view of the waterfalls, creeks, and greener.
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Related Sites
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/brazgeog/tp/whattodo.htm
http://www.braziltravelnews.com/
http://www.mapsofworld.com/brazil/information/climate.html
