Recife - City of Brazil

Recife is the fifth largest Metropolitan area in Brazil and the capital of the state of Pernambuco. Recife is located where the Beberibe River meets the Capibaribe River to flow into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a major port on the Atlantic Ocean. The name Recife means "reef" in Portuguese, in allusion to the coral reefs that are present by the city's shores. The many rivers and bridges found in Recife characterize its geography and gives it the moniker of the "Brazilian Venice".

The city is also a renowned educational center, and home to the Federal University of Pernambuco, the largest university in Pernambuco. Several Brazilian historical figures, such as the poet and abolitionist Castro Alves, moved to Recife to attain their education, though in recent years, the quality of education in Recife has lagged relative to its neighboring cities.

Recife is served by the Gilberto Freyre/Guararapes International Airport which connects Recife to several Brazilian desinations as well as major international cities in Europe and the United States.

Recife has a year-round tropical climate, with warm to hot temperatures and high relative humidity throughout the year. However, these conditions are relieved by a near absence of extreme temperatures and pleasant trade winds blowing from the ocean.

The celebrations, holidays and other events are numerous during the whole year. Thus the new year begins at the beach, Praia de Boa Viagem and in Old Recife. The carnival of Recife and Olinda begins already many weeks before in december with innumerable balls and removals, very recommandable. In the city, the carnival festivities begin in december, as locals begin preparing for the official Carnival, which starts the week before Ash Wednesday. The pre-Carnival parties usually consist of percussion groups practicing in local clubs, city streets and squares, and even Carnival balls. There are a variety of rhythms from different cultures. Carnival officially starts with the Galo da Madrugada, a party in Downtown Recife attracting many people from several States of Brazil, and other parts of the world.

Churches and historical monuments, including 17th and 18th century constructions from Portuguese and Dutch colonizers;

Francisco Brennand's atelier of ceramic art;

Ricardo Brennand Institute: cultural institute with museum, pinacotec and library;

Ancient Recife buildings: Forte Orange which is really located in Itamaracá island, some 40 kilometres from Recife;

Boa Viagem Beach the city's most important beach;

Olinda (neighbor city), a UNESCO World Heritage Site;

Casa da Cultura: souvenir shops in an ancient prison building;

The Carnival at Recife Antigo.


Recife is the most important educational centre of the state.Portuguese is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. But English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum. There are also international schools, such as the American School of Recife and the ABA Maple Bear Canadian School.

The Federal University of Pernambuco is a public university located in Recife, Brazil, and established in 1946.

Recife is one of the most cultural sites in Brazil, Cradle of Brazilian culture, and is the home of several artists, musicians and writers. It is also home to the frevo, a regional dance and music, typical in the carnival, and the Mangue Beat, a type of Brazilian rock with mixture of Maracatu, Ciranda, Rap and other music styles. During carnival, downtown Recife holds one of the most authentic and democratic celebrations: every year more than one million people opens the festivities of the Brazilian Carnival at the Galo da Madrugada.