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Recife
Pernambuco
In Portuguese “recife” means dating from the 16th and 17th in the Americas was founded in the
“reef”, and it is the reefs that sit off century. Olinda, one of Brazil’s city and can still be visited close to
the coast of Pernambuco that have best-preserved colonial centres, is the main docks. When the
helped make the beaches of the recognised by UNESCO as a World Portuguese and Amerindians fought
state so special and sought after, Heritage Site. Olinda’s carnival back and retook the city, many of
the reefs helping to break up the celebrations, along with those of the Dutch Jewish settlers fled north
waves rolling in from the Southern Recife, are amongst Brazil’s most to set up New Amsterdam, a city
Atlantic Ocean. This includes the popular and are driven by the that is better known today as New
beaches of Recife itself, including region’s signature frevo beat. York.
the popular Praia de Boa Viagem.
Recife, the state capital, is not only Like Salvador, Recife grew and was Close to Recife are some of the
a tourist destination but also an influenced by its residential mix of most popular beach resorts in
important port and industrial zone Portuguese settlers, Amerindians Brazil. 83 kilometres (50 miles) to
(sugar cane and ethanol). It is also and the Black African slaves. The the south is Porto de Galinhas that
Brazil’s second most important city also reflects the influence of offers accommodation that ranges
centre of medical excellence with the Dutch settlers who invaded and from top international low-rise five
over 400 state-of-the-art hospitals controlled Recife and Olinda from star resorts properties to delightful
and clinics. 1630 to 1654. During this period pousadas and inns.
the city was considered one of the The beaches in and around Porto
Recife and nei ghbouring Olinda, world’s most cosmopolitan. It de Galinhas, including Muro Alto,
like Salvador, boast a fine collection housed Brazil’s first Jewish are outstanding with the added
of colonial buildings and churches community and the first synagogue attraction of being able to visit the
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