Recife

Photo: Praia de Boa Viagem (Good Trip Beach), Recife. Credit: Embratur.

Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, has not been built by the Portuguese, who preferred the hills and built Olinda (today a World Heritage Site), leaving the swamp islands down below.

The present spot where Recife sits used to be a fishermen village when the Dutch invaded Pernambuco in 1630. The count Maurício de Nassau ordered for the drainage and the construction of dikes at the islands downstream the Capibaribe River.

Santo Antônio, Boa Vista and Old Recife islands were interconnected and to the continent by means of an intricate bridge system, most of which still exist to date. This first urban planning activity from the Dutch has formed the basis of the present center of the city.

Thanks to the rich cultural diversity and the well developed infrastructure, Recife was chosen as one of the host cities of the World Cup 2014. A brand new stadium, called Arena Capibaribe, is being built from scratch, and will be one of the most modern Sports and Entertainment Complexes in Brazil.

Read more about World Cup in Recife and World Cup in Brazil.

Brasilia

Photo: Brasilia Cathedral. Credit: Embratur.

Stadium: National Stadium Mane Garrincha.

Five star hotel: Kubitschek Plaza.

Recommended upscale restaurant: Aquavit.

Don’t miss: a tour around the National Congress and a lift climbing to the Television Tower.

Weather in June/July: dry and cold.

Brasilia will host seven matches of the World Cup 2014, including the dispute for 3rd place and at least one match of the Brazilian Team. Brasilia will also host one match (the opening match) of the Confederations Cup 2013.

Designed by the urban planner Lúcio Costa and by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, Brasilia is shaped like an airplane, with two wings connected by a central axis, it was inaugurated in 1960 and has just celebrated the 50th anniversary.

Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and the center of the Nation’s political power. It is the seat of the Federal Executive Power (Palácio do Planalto), of the Federal Legislative Power (National Congress, made up of the House of Representatives and the Federal Senate), and the Judicial Branch.

Brasilia is building the National Stadium, one of the biggest of the World Cup 2014. Brasilia is aspiring to stage some of the important matches of the event, such as the semi-finals and even the opening match.

Read more about the World Cup in Brasilia and the World Cup in Brazil.