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Recife Description
The Brazilian northeast is known for its history, beaches, and water sports. It is comprised of several smaller states: Alagous, Baha, Cear, Maranho, Paraba, Pernambuco, Piau, Rio Grando do Norte, and Sergipe.
The region has a very interesting history: there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in the Brazilian northeast. The first is at Olinda, the site of the first permanent Portuguese settlement. It was founded in 1534 and has a long and colorful history: the area was the target of Dutch pirates in the seventeenth century. From this site, the Portuguese began exploiting the resources of the New World, first by logging and exporting the pau-brasil tree from which the country takes its name. Later, the area became an important producer of sugarcane.
The other world heritage site is Pelourinho in the city of Salvador, capital of the Baha province. Pelourinho, which translates as 'whipping post,' was the old slave auction site. Newly imported slaves from Africa were brought to Salvador to be sold. Today Pelourinho is a cultural, artistic, and social center in Salvador and well worth a visit.
