This is one of the most sought-after tourist regions of Brazil. It makes up almost one-fifth of the country and its population is close to 45 million people. The northeast encompasses thousands of miles of white, sandy beaches and perfect tropical weather. The interior of the region is marked by almost untouched forests and more humid weather.

The intrinsic cultural, economic, and geographic variation of the region makes it difficult to talk about the northeast in general terms. Here are some historical and cultural highlights of the most interesting places to visit in the Northeast.

The state of Pernambuco was one of the most prosperous capitanías or provinces of the colonial government, with record production of sugarcane in the seventeenth century. The Quilombo dos Palmares is the name given to a successful community of ex-slaves who escaped the hardships of working the sugarcane fields. Nowadays you can visit the Museu do Homem do Nordeste where you can appreciate historical items such as a collection of porcelain sugar bowls from that time period.

The state of Bahia carries many cultural traditions of Africans, with typical foods sold on the streets by baianas (women dressed in typical African garb) and the capoeira, a type of martial arts that includes dance and music. The city of Salvador is famous for its colonial architecture and influencing musical styles, especially in the Pelourinho district.

The state of Maranhão is known for its forests and mineral production, as well as for one of the most beautiful capital cities in the northeast. São Luis do Maranhão is the only state capital originally started by the French in the early seventeenth century. The name of the city is in honor of King Louis XII of France. The city was later taken over by the Dutch and eventually the Portuguese.

Recife, the capital city of Pernambuco, is also known as the “Brazilian Venice” because it was built in between two rivers, the Capibaribe and the Beberibe Rivers, and its many bridges resemble the Italian city. It is also one of the largest cities in the northeast (with a population of about 1.5million people) and a well-known cultural center.

Just north of Recife there is the city of Olinda, a beautiful town of colonial architecture that has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to the preservation of its original colonial buildings. During Carnaval, many revelers parade on its old streets dancing the frevo and the maracatu.

Fortaleza, the capital city of the state of Ceará, has one of the liveliest beach-front nightlife of the northeast regions. The Praia de Iracema or Iracema Beach is famous for its warm waters.

The northeast region has one of the most interesting arts-and-crafts traditions of the country. Some of the most beautiful handmade clothing can be found in many northeastern markets. As you plan your vacation to Brazil, do not hesitate to visit at least one of these northeastern states. If you are interested in water sports, colonial architecture, or simply relaxing at the beach without big crowds, the northeast is for you!