THREE Norwegian tourists came under fire and one was shot after the satellite navigation system in their car guided them straight into one of Rio de Janeiro’s most dangerous slums.The three men cut short their vacation in and headed home Monday after Trygve Killingtveit, 24, was shot in the shoulder by suspected drug traffickers from one of the gangs that control hundreds of shantytowns in Rio.The tourists were returning from the beach resort of Buzios about three hours north of Rio Saturday when they got lost, Brazil’s Globo TV and several newspapers reported.They reportedly told police their Global Positioning System (GPS) recommended they turn off a main highway as the quickest route back to the airport to drop off the rental car. But the suggested route took them deep into the Mare slum complex, where their rented car quickly came under fire.
Category Archives: Brazil
The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin — roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States — covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: , Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department of France.
Reflecting environmental conditions as well as past human influence, the Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation types including rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests, flooded forests, and savannas. The basin is drained by the Amazon River, the world’s largest river in terms of discharge, and the second longest river in the world after the Nile. The river is made up of over 1,100 tributaries, 17 of which are longer than 1000 miles, and two of which (the Negro and the Madeira) are larger, in terms of volume, than the Congo (formerly the Zaire) river. The river system is the lifeline of the forest and its history plays an important part in the development of its rainforests.At one time Amazon River flowed westward, perhaps as part of a proto-Congo (Zaire) river system from the interior of present day Africa when the continents were joined as part of Gondwana. Fifteen million years ago, the Andes were formed by the collision of the South American plate with the Nazca plate. The rise of the Andes and the linkage of the Brazilian and Guyana bedrock shields, blocked the river and caused the Amazon to become a vast inland sea. Gradually this inland sea became a massive swampy, freshwater lake and the marine inhabitants adapted to life in freshwater. For example, over 20 species of stingray, most closely related to those found in the Pacific Ocean, can be found today in the freshwaters of the Amazon.
About ten million years ago, waters worked through the sandstone to the west and the Amazon began to flow eastward. At this time the Amazon rainforest was born. During the Ice Age, sea levels dropped and the great Amazon lake rapidly drained and became a river. Three million years later, the ocean level receded enough to expose the Central American isthmus and allow mass migration of mammal species between the Americas.
The Ice Ages caused tropical rainforest around the world to retreat. Although debated, it is believed that much of the Amazon reverted to savanna and montane forest (see chapter 3-Ice Ages and Glaciation). Savanna divided patches of rainforest into “islands” and separated existing species for periods long enough to allow genetic differentiation (a similar rainforest retreat took place in Africa. Delta core samples suggest that even the mighty Congo watershed was void of rainforest at this time). When the ice ages ended, the forest was again joined and the species that were once one had diverged significantly enough to be constitute designation as separate species, adding to the tremendous diversity of the region. About 6000 years ago, sea levels rose about 130 meters, once again causing the river to be inundated like a long, giant freshwater lake. Today the Amazon River is the most voluminous river on Earth, eleven times the volume of the Mississippi, and drains an area equivalent in size to the United States. During the high water season, the river’s mouth may be 300 miles wide and every day up to 500 billion cubic feet of water (5,787,037 cubic feet/sec) flow into the Atlantic. For reference, the Amazon’s daily freshwater discharge into the Atlantic is enough to supply New York City’s freshwater needs for nine years. The force of the current — from sheer water volume alone — causes Amazon River water to continue flowing 125 miles out to sea before mixing with Atlantic salt water. Early sailors could drink freshwater out of the ocean before sighting the South American continent.
The river current carries tons of suspended sediment all the way from the Andes and gives the river a characteristic muddy whitewater appearance. It is calculated that 106 million cubic feet of suspended sediment are swept into the ocean each day. The result from the silt deposited at the mouth of the Amazon is Majaro island, a river island about the size of Switzerland.
Beautiful whites sands and cool turquoise bluish green waters are not the only factors that makes Brazilian beaches the most loved all over the world. Brazilian beaches have a lot more in store for you than well…just a beach! At any time of the year, you can find yourself getting a gorgeous suntan or partying the night away. has a plethora of beaches that can turn anyone into a beach bum! Long coastlines dotted with pretty café’s and long hours spent trying out water sports makes the Brazilian beaches a most sought after destination amongst all beach lovers. Read on to know more about Brazilian beaches and the different kinds of things each coastline has to offer.
Brazilian Beaches: Beach Lover’s Paradise
Copacabana Beach:
This Brazilian beach is a hot spot especially for the New Years evening. Copacabana is located in the southern area of Rio de Janeiro. The beauty of the Copacabana beach is enhanced with the historic forts that are seen at this Brazilian beach. Copacabana also draws a reputation for being known as one of the best beaches in the world. A fun time at Copacabana beach would mean loads of fun in the sun with fun games such as volleyball. This beach volleyball has made its mark since the year 1930. Besides, it is not only the beaches; Brazilian bikinis are a permanent feature at the Copacabana beach.
New year celebrations at this beach bring together people of various nationalities at one point. This is the time when fireworks, music and dance go on till the wee hours in the morning. This beach is also the official place for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Copacabana beach also has plenty of restaurants and diners for all the foodies out here.
Ipanema Beach:
Located in the Southern area of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema beach has a curious mixture of different cultures. This beach like all Brazilian beaches offers white sands and loads of games and fun! A walk down the sandy shores would reveal people playing games such as beach volleyball, football etc. Swimming is also one of the popular activities at this Brazilian beach. Although the Ipanema beach is also known as the family beach, one interesting factor you can note here is one particular stretch that is known as the Gay Beach and also has a flag to denote the same. At this beach, you can find the traditional drinks such as cachaca and the Caipirinha along with beer that is sold almost everywhere.
Pipa Beach:
The Pipa beach is located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. Pipa attracts people because of its fine white sand and cliffs that offer a gorgeous view of the place. Pipa has a vast number of fine restaurants nightclubs that are run mostly by foreigners. This beach offers a more cosmopolitan crowd.
Ponta Verde Beach:
This beach is located in Maceió in the city of Alagoas. Ponta Verde also remains to be the most frequented beach of Brazil. This beach remains to be a popular spot because of the reefs, which contain tiny ponds that form during low tides. This is also most frequented because of a certain part of land that projects out of the sea. This land is covered entirely with a green cover.
Toque Toque Grande:
The Toque Toque Grande beach is located in the city of Sao Sebastiao in Brazil. Although Grande means big in Portuguese, this beach is barely 300m long. The Toque Toque Grande island is quite uninhabited by people. This can prove to be an ideal location for those wanting some isolation and have a love for scuba diving.
Jericoacoara Beach:
This beach is known for offering some of the most spectacular views in Brazil. It is located around 300 kms from Fortaleza. This Brazilian beach is ideal for those who are looking for something different out here. It also proves to be an ideal spot for surfing.
These are just a few Brazil beaches mentioned out here! One thing is for sure, Brazilian beaches are one the most beautiful and hippest spots across the globe!
