Brazil, the largest of the South American countries, is a land of extraordinary beauty and contrasts. Its territory is as varied as its people; dense jungles, semiarid-scrub land, rugged hills, jagged mountains and a beautiful coastline. The Amazon River cuts across the entire country from west to east, while most southern rivers drain to the interior. There is no better place on Earth than Rio during Carnival. The vibrant parades and more-decoration-than covering costumes are enough to wake the dead and get them dancing. But the more you know Brazil, the more you’ll want to go beyond that glitter. Equally enticing are Brazil's enormous waterfalls of Iguassu, the voodoo-infused city of El Salvador and the colonial towns of Ouro Preto and Olinda. For nature lovers the Amazon basin and the Pantanal, one of the best wildlife preserves in South America, are unforgettable experiences. For those who enjoy sun and sand, Rio’s Ipanema and Copacabana are just the beginning. For those avid beachgoers, Brazil has thousands of miles of beautiful sand for your basking pleasure. Rio might draw you to Brazil the first time, but the country’s unexplored corners and breath of attractions will make you want to go back.