A 2008 Definition of Tourism

tour·ism n.:  1: the practice of traveling for recreation. 2: the guidance or management of tourists. 3 a: the promotion or encouragement of touring b: the accommodation of tourists

eco·tour·ism n.: the practice of touring natural habitats in a manner meant to minimize ecological impact

Bra·zil n.: country South America; a federal republic capital Brasília area about 3,280,000 square miles (8,495,200 square kilometers), population 169,799,170

Brazil is one of the hottest travel destinations of 2008 and a destination where travelers can experience one of the hottest tourism trends - ecotourism.

Some of the most popular ecotourism trips in Brazil include:

• The Pantanal is an ecological paradise right in the heart of Brazil. It is the largest flooded lowland on the planet and the third largest environmental reserve in the world. Its ecological importance is immense, since it is home to one of the richest ecosystems ever found until today, with periodically flooded seasonal forests

• Swimming with the sea turtles in Fernando de Noronha.  Since 1984, the National Center for the Conservation and Care of Sea Turtles - better known as the TAMAR/IBAMA Project – has employed every effort to protect female turtles, eggs and reproduction locations.

• The Cipó Mountains National Park in Lagoa Santa is home to several archaeological sites with the remains of primitive communities. Several cave drawings and pictures estimated to be between 2,000 – 4,000 years old are still preserved on the cave and cavern walls.