The Northeast - Embassy of Brazil in London

FOODThe cuisine of the Northeast reflects the mixture ofAfrican, Amerindian and Portuguese influences. Thestrongest African flavours are in Bahia, where you canenjoy delicious specialities such as moqueca, a seafoodstew, and vatapá, a creamy shrimp and peanut pastecooked with coconut milk and palm oil. The northeastcoast in general is known for its excellent seafood,including fresh lobster and king prawns. Anothertraditional food in the region is carne de sol, whichmeans salted beef that has been cured and preservedthrough exposure to the sun.FORRÓForró is a kind of dance music traditionally associatedwith Northeast, although it also has a following inother parts of Brazil. Its distinctive sound is usuallycreated by just three instruments: accordion, zabumba(a type of bass drum) and triangle. It is danced with apartner – usually very close together. The best tip forbeginners is to go with the flow, perhaps assisted by acaipirinha.GOLFGolf was introduced to Brazil by British railwayengineers in the nineteenth century. No fewer thantwelve Brazilian states have international-class courses– and the best in the Northeast are in Bahia: Costa doSauípe Golf Links; Trancoso - Terravista Golf Course;Ilha de Comandatuba - Comandatuba Ocean Course.MARKETSBustling feiras (outdoor markets) are found throughoutthe Northeast. Typically they sell a bit of everything,from fruit and vegetables to clothes, handicrafts andeven animals. The market in Caruaru, in Pernambuco,is considered to be of special cultural importance byBrazil’s National Institute of Historic and ArtisticHeritage (IPHAN).RESORTSThe Northeast has a growing number of five-starresorts, some of them already operating on an allinclusivebasis. Typically they have large swimmingpools, a range of sports options, eveningentertainment, and excellent bars and restaurants. Asyou would expect, they tend to be found in the mostspectacular locations along the coast.SÃO FRANCISCO RIVERAlmost 3,000km long, the São Francisco links northeastBrazil with the southeast of the country. It also has aspecial place in Brazilian folklore, being the subject ofcountless songs, stories and legends.SNORKELLING AND DIVINGExceptional diving and snorkelling can be enjoyed atnumerous spots along the coast, and even in somerivers and lakes. There are perhaps two places thatdeserve a special mention: Fernando de Noronha (page12), with an array of aquatic life including dolphins andgiant turtles, and Abrolhos (page 8), where it is possibleto see humpback whales.SURFINGSome stretches of the coastline offer superb conditionsfor surfing. Fernando de Noronha, for example, boastsconditions so good that it has hosted internationalcompetitions.WORLD HERITAGE LISTThe Northeast has more than its fair share of UnescoWorld Heritage Sites – seven in total. They entered theprestigious list either because of their architecturalimportance (the historic centres of Olinda, Salvadorand São Luis, and São Francisco Square in the town ofSão Cristóvão) or outstanding natural beauty (the Serrada Capivara National Park; the Atlantic Forest Reserveson the Costa do Descobrimento; and the BrazilianAtlantic Islands, including Fernando de Noronha).Picture Credits: Alexandre Diniz, Alexandre Campbell, Agência Reuters, André Stefano,Antônio Melcop, Aureliano José Nogueira Neto, A. Villela, BAHIATURSA-Empresa de Turismoda Bahia, Breno Laprovitera, Carlito Ferreira, César de Oliveira, Christian Knepper / Anima /EMBRATUR, Editora Peixes, EMBRATUR, EMPETUR-Empresa de Turismo de Pernambuco,EMSETUR-Empresa Sergipana de Turismo, Guilhermo Novolisio, Ivaldo Cavalcante, JoséGeraldo Costa, Jota Freitas/BAHIATURSA, J. Wagner da Silva, Local Foto/SETURCE, LuisOlarte, Luciano Candisani, Maps originated by Oxford Cartographers, Marcus Hirakawa,Markito, Marluce Roald Andretta / Loba do Mar, Maurício Correia, Maurício Moreira,Maurício Simonetti, Pavel Chernec, Pedro Paulo Capellossi, Plinio Bordin, Renata Victor,Ricardo Ribas, Rico, Rogério Monteiro, Sergio Fecuri Limbourg, Secretaria de Turismo doEstado de Alagoas, SETUR-Caucaia, SETURCE-Secretaria de Turismo do Estado do Ceará,Secretaria de Turismo do Estado do Maranhão, Secretaria de Turismo do Estado da Paraíba,Secretaria de Turismo do Estado do Piauí, Secretaria de Turismo do Estado do Rio Grande doNorte, Roberto Werner, Rogério Monteiro, Werner Zotz, Washington Siqueira.34