This past weekend, on September 7, Brazilians celebrated their independence from the Portuguese, which was declared in 1822 amid a two-year war. While far-right parties in Brazil
have appropriated the anniversary
for their own means, apolitical commemorative events are held each year across the country and in diasporic communities across the world. From the crown of the Christ the Redeemer statue to the riverbeds of the South American country’s clear-blue waters, there are Instagram-worthy scenes at every turn in Brazil. See for yourself.
Not accessible to most at night, these falls are located inside Iguaçu National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Victor Lima, 2021
Ocean waters rush to a staircase that leads the way to welcoming seas.
Adri Pendleton, 2019
The tall sails of boats are reflected in the waters next to a sandbar off a Brazilian beach.
Antonio Marin, 2019
A small house offers peak solitude, isolated on a grassy peninsula in the Amazon.
Michell Silva, 2020
Buff-necked ibises, known locally as
curucaca
, take a rest from their flight atop a bright-red roof.
Roberval Santos, 2019
A small, blue-hued bird partakes in the bounty of a fruit tree.
Patricia Abreu, 2021
With its turquoise-blue waters, the Sucuriú River is a stunning natural site.
Marcio Esteves Cabral, 2019
Beachgoers enjoy the sunset on Juquehy Beach.
Tarek Raafat, 2019
Native to South America, toco toucans are recognized as the largest species in the toucan family.
Musti Esen, 2022
The outstretched arms of the landmark Christ the Redeemer statue hail the setting sun.
Chong Wu, 2023
A white, windowless dome is a signature architectural feature of the National Library in Brasília, the nation’s capital.
Apolo Sales, 2020
Beautiful flora create a colorfully stunning scene in a serene forest outside Belo Horizonte.
Veronica Alkmim, 2023
The Iguazú Falls, known in Portuguese as Iguaçu, are a natural wonder on the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Mark Zablotsky, 2019
Horses in Guarapuava gather to get a closer look at a camera pointed in their direction.
Clerio Back, 2023
Get the latest
Travel & Culture
stories in your inbox.