Are you wondering where Brazil is? Or what hemisphere does it belong to? Then, think no more, as I answer your question straight away.
Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere. A large part of the country is in the southern hemisphere. If you restrict the world from north to south, you will notice that most Brazil is below the equator. Meaning, it is part of the southern hemisphere.
Yet, Brazil is very big, and it is considered the fifth largest country in the globe. Due to its massiveness, a small part of it extends into the northern hemisphere.
If you know how to read maps, you will observe that this large land has an amazing location. Some parts of Brazil are in the equator, a large area is in the southern hemisphere, and a tiny chunk is in the north.
Thus, the area in the northern hemisphere does not have climate variation. In the northern tip part of Brazil, it is summer all year round. Plus, Brazil is the only country that has the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn circulating it.
The country has an interesting location; hence, it is an interesting place to visit. What part of Brazil is worth visiting, is it places in the northern hemisphere or those in the southern?
Let’s find out. Read on as we discover more about Brazil, an amazing place to visit.
List of Contents
Is all of Brazil in the Southern Hemisphere?
As I mentioned earlier, the country has a special location. Brazil is divided by both the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. It is in South America.
Almost 50% of South America is Brazil. The country’s border runs from north to south or south to north. It is bordered by other Latin American countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia. Other countries where Brazil share borders are Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Macapá
Not all parts of Brazil is in the southern hemisphere. Some parts of the country extend to the north. The city of Macapá in Brazil is in the northern hemisphere, where the equator passes through it.
Macapá is considered the capital of Amapá. It is best known to be the capital of the middle of the world due to its proximity to the equator. The Amazon River locks the area. The city is very special and worth visiting. Seasons come; differently you can experience spring in March and autumn by September.
Another interesting thing to know about the city, days and night have the same duration. Again, it is very different around here.
A strategic location blesses the city. The Amazon river immensely surrounds it. You can visit the city by sailing through the Amazon river.
So, how will you get to the city of Macapá?
Well, you have two options to be able to get to the city. One is through road access. This option is only possible for the towns inside the state. The city has inter-municipal buses that run through highways BR-156 and BR-120.
Another way is through boat or ferry ride. Most neighboring areas can access the city through a ferry ride. Some regional boats and ships leave other municipalities for Santana Port. The port is 15km from Macapá.
Once you reach the city, you can access the city’s most treasured areas like the Middle of the World Park. Another attraction is the Zero Milestone Complex. In the complex is the Zero Milestone Monument and the Zero Stadium. The said attractions bear the significance of the city to the equator.
Macapá is also loud and bright during the carnival. Many samba schools prepare for the parade. The energetic participants join the parade riding in colorful floats. They are also wearing vibrant costumes to celebrate festivities.
As you immense through the world of Macapá city, you will witness a different way of life. There are dance choreographies that highlighted the city’s colorful past. The marabaixo dance translated the suffering of the slaves who built the city. You can observe long-standing traditions practice in the city even before the Portuguese.
Another worth the experience in Macapá is its gastronomic culture. The cuisine is closely tied to the native Brazilian inhabitants. The authentic taste of pre-Portuguese cuisine is very evident in their cuisine. The Brazilian natives and the taste of the Amazon river ingredients made it more unique.
Boa Vista
Another city of Brazil located in the northern hemisphere is Boa Vista. It is in the Rio Branco River. When you visit the city, you can witness the heritage of Boa Vista past through architecture. The buildings showcase neoclassical style, a remembrance of the city’s past.
In this part of Brazil, there is the Maracá Ecological Station. It is a highly preserved forest that is home to wildlife. There are jaguars, giant otters, and wild monkeys living in the station.
Another attraction in Boa Vista is the Monte Roraima. It is one of the oldest mountains in the world. In this part of the city, it touches the border of Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. The mountain is another must-see with its waterfalls, rivers, and even rock formations.
Boa Vista also preserves Brazil’s pre-colonial past. The cuisine itself is of native standard. The indigenous take to the city’s regional cuisine is another variation of how Brazil food is. There are dishes like the damorida, torta de peixe bodó and even the paçoca com banana.
These are Amazonian recipes that do not have the touch of Portugal’s influence. Most of the ingredients used to cook these delicacies are accessible in the Amazon river.
What cities in Brazil are on the equator?
Since the equator passes through Brazil, what cities in Brazil are on the equator? Well, the city of Fortaleza in Brazil is part of the so-called Equatorial Cities. These are the cities that the equator passes through. Singapore, Bogota, and Nairobi belong to the list.
So, what is it like in Fortaleza?
The city is the fifth-largest city in Brazil. It is both a commercial and economic hub, giving the country huge domestic income. As one of Brazil’s important cities, what are the things that you can see and experience in the city?
Fortaleza is an interesting city in Brazil. It is a large and true economic magnet for people from Ceará. Many tourists visit the city to experience its fine beaches, see the museum, and taste the food.
Attractions
When you visit Fortaleza, allow yourself to see museums. You can visit the Theatro José de Alencar, Teatro RioMarand Teatro Via Sul and the São Luiz Cinema Theater. You should not miss the Ceará Museum. It is home to various artifacts and other important paleontology pieces.
On another note, there is the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture. It is a major cultural hub. You can see the main attractions like the Ceará Museum of Culture and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Ceará. There is the Casa de Jose Alencar. It is home to most of the Brazilian literature that also houses art collections and books.
Aside from a rich cultural heritage, the city of Fortaleza offers you urban beaches. The beautiful beaches in the heart of the city are worth your visit. The city has a long stretch of urban beaches estimated at 30 km.
Near the cultural complex is Iracema Beach. At this point, you will have a stunning view of Fortaleza’s cultural attractions. The Porto das Dunas Beach has the most breathtaking scenery in the city. There is a wide stretch of white powdery sand and incredible dunes to enjoy. Other beaches that are worth your visit is the Icaraí and Cumbuco beaches.
Food
As a famous urban destination, Fortaleza offers you food and restaurants. During your visit, try famous steakhouses, pizzerias, and fast food chains in the city. In the Varjota neighborhood, several restaurants concentrate there. They offer you a lot of food choices, particularly seafood.
Always try the city’s seafood culture, where you can directly buy from the fish market. You can have your shrimps, lobsters, and squids at a very reasonable price.
If beef is what you prefer, there are steak houses (churrascarias). They offer grilled meats that are worth trying for.
Of course, you should not miss the fresh fruit juices in Fortaleza called Suco. It is cheap and has lots of different flavors. You can have it while strolling on the beach, a tropical way to experience the city.
Carnival and Events
To experience the beauty of Fortaleza, you need to be part of its major events. There are several activities which you can join. The Parque de Cocó every Sunday has entertainment and activities like gymnastics. The Vida e Arte where Brazilian music and live performances happen in January.
Other interesting activities like the gay parade, Parada pela Diversidade Sexual de Fortaleza. It happens in Beira Mar in June. The event is dedicated to the 1969 Stonewall riots that happened in New York.
And of course, the much-awaited Brazilian carnival. The pre-carnival is always anticipated. You can experience the carnival in different venues, but the more accessible part is at Dragão do Mar.
Which climate zone is Brazil in?
The enormity of Brazil has subjected it to different climate zones. Remember, the country has parts in the southern hemisphere, northern hemisphere, and equator. Brazil experiences several climates in various parts of the country.
There are five distinct climate regions in Brazil. These are the following:
- Equatorial
- Tropical
- Semi-arid
- Highland tropical
- Subtropical
So, let’s discuss further the climate in Brazil. The areas in the southern hemisphere like Rio de Janeiro have a tropical climate. It means there is a relatively dry and wet season. The coastal areas like São Paulo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro can be very hot during the summer. Yet, in Brazil’s northern tip, like Boa Vista and Macapá, cooler weather is being experienced.
There are times that Brazil can be humid and hot, resulting in many Brazilians visiting the beach. The kind of climate Brazil has also define the major activities locals do. These are mostly water sports activities.
What is it like in the Southern Hemisphere?
Brazil is a very interesting place to live in. We often wonder, what is it like to live in the southern hemisphere?
Well, as I have mentioned earlier, the southern hemisphere has a tropical, temperate climate. The climate mostly influences people’s culture and way of life in this part of the globe.
Since most countries in the southern hemisphere have coastal areas, people enjoy beaches. In a tropical, temperate climate, agriculture can be easy and abundant. Most of these countries enjoy tropical fruits like bananas, coconuts, and papaya.
As people enjoy the beaches, they also love the heat of the sun. Most activities are related to water. You can see people sunbathing and engaging in other sports activities.
The country’s location also dictates the livelihood. People often make a living out of fishing and farming. The coastal regions, like some areas in Brazil, have fishing as a way to live.
People are often happy-go-lucky because they are blessed with a beautiful climate. Imagine, they won’t dread the coming of winter, as there will be no winter in their place.
Unlike other countries with cooler weather, the way of life in the south is relaxed. Two seasons dominate their year, the summer and rainy season. They have plenty of time to prepare for the summer, as well as for the rain. It is way different in countries with winter all year round.
Brazil is a very interesting place to see. The country experiences significant events throughout its existence because of its geography. The location of the country, especially in the different zones of the globe, made it unique. Imagine, the five climate zones in Brazil means a different way to live in the country. You can have a cold and amazon like manner of living in the north while loving beaches in the south.