Bahia
Its
is the biggest State of Northeast Brazil, with an area of
567,000 Km2 . Its has the most extensive coast, stretching over
1,103 km and boasts the largest cave in the entire Southern
Hemisphere – the Toca da Boa Vista – of which 98 km already
chartered; it boasts Brazil’s biggest bay – the Todos os
Santos Bay – which comprises most of the State’s coastline,
and, yearly, the 40 trios-elétricos (sound booster
trucks), that send 2 million people reeling during carnival in
Salvador. The first capital city of Brazil, Salvador’s
heritage in architectural treasures were declared national
monument and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. There are
so many churches in Salvador that some say there is a church for
every day of the year. It was to Bahia that the first African
slaves were taken, to work the land. They bought with them their
traditions which are so easily identified in the local music,
cooking and religion. The main roads in Bahia are the BR-101
that crosses the State from East to West and is the main route
to Brasilia, and the BA-001 highway that hugs the coastline.
The
Southern section is 673 km long with amazingly diverse
geographical and ecological characteristics. In the Porto Seguro
region, there are still untouched stretches. Near Ilhéus,
where novelist Jorge Amado lived for many years, it is possible
to experience life as is was when the cocoa
trade reigned absolute, and follow trails that run
through the mata atlantica forest as well as coastal
environments. In the Southern tip of Bahia is Caravelas, from
where motorboats provide transport to the most sought after
skin-diving havens, refuge also for the calving jubarte
humpback whales between July and November.
Along
the 230 km stretch of the Northern beaches are some of the
grandest hotels. The most traditional profane and religious
festivals take place from December to March. All year round
Chapada Diamantina can be visited, but April through September,
a remarkable lighting renders the water of the enchanted Poço
Encantado.
Beside
rural and industrial activities, their economy is based on
tourism.
