The city got its name from the coral reefs that Mother Nature have so well designed along the whole coast, referring to the city/s situation behind a long/protective coastal reef.
The Atlantic Ocean of so warm turquoise waters, shelters local fishermen sailing in Jangadas(crude log rafts with sails, transportation exclusive to this region of Brasil) to make their living in this so traditional and poetic way, requiring expert skills to navigate them, crusing out the seas fighting for survival.How many dreams and worries must have been trough those fishermen minds in long days sessions along these 500 years ?
The poetic, abundant and extraordinary beauty of this city gives place to the hard reality of its people. The State of Pernambuco is a mostly agriculture based society that exports great quantities of the hinterland/s products. We can included as its principal industries importing and exporting sugar refining, cotton milling, ironworking, pineapple canning, manufacturing of cement, paper, and leather goods. However, Recife as its capital city, one of the largest in Brazil, naturaly presents the most of its contrasts and social unbalance. It was funded by the Portugueses, first as just a port where the *mascates* (term used to define merchant men at that time).
The fast growing commercial stuff has made Recife develop so much that in few years it became the Capital of the provence of Pernambuco replacing Olinda, former capital city, right beside Recife (almost as twin cities). Due to its rich historical, cultural and architectural background Olinda has receveid from UNESCO the title of World Cultural Patrimony. In 1630 The State of Pernambuco was invaded by the Dutchs.They have stayed 24 years controlling the Northeast of Brasil and Recife was their headquarter, the capital of their domain in Brazil. Those years have been of a great social, cultural and economic development to the city. The Dutchs brought from Europe many artist, engineers, architects, scientists.Their contribution to our history was essential, although there´s still some questioning this importance using the fact that exists not a single concrete construction or monument proving that contribution, but it would be pure blindness not to recognize it. By simply walking around Recife you will identify the influence of their presence.
The old Recife area, the origin of the city, has been preserved with its structure, beauty, social & historical site. It´s a land system of small islands. Recife´s major districts are: São José, commercial/ financial district on a peninsula; Boa Vista, business/residential district on the mainland; and Santo Antônio, a governmental district on Antônio Vaz Island; and South Zone where the fancy Boa-Viagem Beach district is located, a wealthy residential/commercial area where most nice hotels, shopping-malls and restaurants sites are. Recife is a modern and cosmopolitan city that became stronger as tourist destination; both vacation and business tourism, basicaly Brazilians and European visitors that are always well surprised, in a positive way, with the warmth, friendly ways and simplicity of Recife´s inhabitants.
Recife, as a port city, is fully multi-cultural sourced. Colonial churches, great pieces of old houses mixed with skyscrapers and markets, a nice mix of old and new. Its a wonderful place to fall in love.Let yourself relax and enjoy some peacefull moments as well as high level fun, amusement and excitment in Recife´s nightlife, which is mostly concentrated in the Boa-Viagem beach area as well as in the old Recife and Graças districts. You will certainly have memorable moments here, since Recife´s nightlife is a free territory for *All Tribes* and literally EVERYBODY will find a place with the exact kind of fun any visitor would be looking for.
Talking about fun and amusement, could not forget to mention one of Brazil´s most special gems ;The Carnival, which in Recife-Olinda has been told as the Best Carnival in the world, because it takes place in the streets and squares, the clubs and headquarters of carnival groups, in houses and anywhere else where the joy of the Frevo music and dancing can be. It is also very well know for its extended period. Opening festivities starts at a least a week before official Carnival dates, between February and March months, and last almost another week after those dates. In fact the first Carnival Ball takes place in December(!) and the last will be up to March, with many balls, previews, rehearsals in between.
Also known for the worldwide most famous Carnival group: Galo da Madrugada Mask Club! Registered in Guiness Book of World Records since 1995 (page 156) as the biggest Carnival group, taking aproximately 1,5 million people dancing in the streets of Recife downtown on Saturday of Carnival. Carnival reinforces Brazilian peacefull and friendly vocation to partying and sensuality. The greatest earth espetacle of beauty, colors, sounds and freedom.
As most Brazilians cities, we also have our Carnival out-of-season;It`s the Recifolia. It happens every October month in wonderful Boa-Viagem Beach, attracting over 50.000 people joinning a high quality folklorical shows, floats with electric bands called *Trio elétrico* with a very well developed infrastructure, with medical services, security, public conveniences and a number of bars for drink and food buying all along the beach. It´s Just another great opportunity to discover our cultural roots, friendly and happy spirit.
Recife is one of the richest places in Brazil for folk art, dance, sculpture, painting, crafts/hand made art. Also its exclusive and original music mostly expressed by the speedy rithym of Frevo, Recife´s traditional musical and dancing style). The best place to find a great show of all these art styles is at the Casa da Cultura do Recife It´s a cultural marketplace, that originally was a colonial prison. It has since then has been transformed into a centre for traditional arts. Some great musical & dance performances often happens outside the building. Casa da Cultura is also *the place* to obtain touristic information, a real good start for discovering the roots of our cultural arts.
Recife, as Olinda has a great architectonic richness and you shall not miss visiting at Praca da Republica the greatly impressive 19th-century Teatro Santa Isabel and then take a walk to the Catedral de Sao Pedro dos Clerigos. Also check Mercado do Sao Josea public market with an incredible variety of produtcs and some of the most exotic and differents types of races and styles of people that makes our rich ethnic. Such richness is easy to perceive trough our deep cultural roots and surely it is a must to explorer all possible traditional cultural activities that you get available. Another good option is to visit the Museu de Homen do Nordeste, acclaimed for being a high quality level museum of anthropology displaying artifacts of the region/s rich cultural history.
Considered the third most important gastronomic center in the country. From the ocean comes the seafood which arises visitors interests with specials flavors of tropical cooking. You can certainly find the best of all food types from local cuisine influenced by European colonizers, Africans and native people, to the more sophisticated dishes of international cuisine; all around Greater Recife (capital and the neighboring cities of Olinda and Jaboatão) in many bars and restaurants
Located between Recife and Olinda is *The Pernambuco Convention Center* third largest center for events in Brazil and one of most modern in Latin America. About 8 miles from our Guararapes International Airport, it has a total area of 2 480 000 sq. There you´ll find 3 theaters for 5 thousand people seated capacity each, 4 auditoria and 13 meeting rooms. Its outside area guest and fantatisc exhibition area and a fair & events pavilion, ideal spaces for holding congresses, seminars and cultural events.
Recife offers just the right mix of business and leisure: historic heritage, paradisiacal beaches and a well structured hotel network. Every year lots of tourists visit and enjoy Recife´s precious qualities and its highly developed commercial area with the tranquility of having available the third most important center for medicine in Brazil.
Come visit us, it will be a real pleasure to receive all of you. Once you´re here, be welcome and make yourself at home. Give room to your fantasies and let yourself relax, enjoy the Magical Tropical atmosphere that everyday rises with the Sun and stay up all night.....counting stars from the top of a small beach sand dune, while the refreshing breezes whispers sing in your ears a sweet melody of freedom.....
Paulo Smith (Persona Web)
Researches Resources and Pictures
EMPETUR (Empresa Pernambucana de Turismo) EMRATUR (Empresa Brasileira de Turismo) Brazilian Embassy, Washington - USA
Any comenters and/or questions please e-mail your message to: paulosmith@tutopia.com.br
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