Brazil

 The Samba rhthym which flows through Brazil is evident in every walk of life there: from the vibrant and colourful street carnivals; the bustling cities; the twisting Amazon River and the silky skills of the nation’s famed footballers – the entire country seems to sway to the same beat. Such a happy, eclectic and engaging nation has drawn envious looks from other countries for decades, more so than ever these days, as Brazil has emerged from an economic slump to boast the fifth fastest growing economy in the world. So, a happy, healthy and prosperous nation – if only they could bottle and sell their kindred spirit…

That idea is not as far-fetched as it sounds, and has already taken root in the country’s fledgling but fast-moving overseas property market. With a stable economy, a diverse landscape and a government intent on attracting the overseas investor, the Brazilian property market is beginning to look like an extremely attractive proposition, particularly in the northeastern areas of the country, which boast the best climate in Brazil and the shortest flying times from Europe.

Capital: Brasilia
Population: 184 million
Time: GMT -3 to -5
Dialing: 55
Currency: Real (R$)

Climate: Considering that Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, it is difficult to sum up its typical climate. Suffice to say, it has its variations. The Amazon Rainforest is hot, humid and wet all year round, while the areas along the equator generally see uniformly high temperatures (average of 27ºc) throughout the year. The northeast region enjoys the warmth but not the humidity of its subtropical location, while Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo regularly experience quite mild winters to go with their hot summers.

Getting There: Brazil remains relatively difficult to get to on a regular (and inexpensive) basis from the UK. However, British Airways does fly continually to Sao Paulo from Heathrow, and Varig – the Brazilian airline – does likewise. Aside from this, the best bet is to get a cheap flight to Lisbon in Portugal and catch a connecting flight to one of four destinations direct, including Rio de Janeiro and Natal.

Special Features: Brazil boasts 22% of the world’s arable land; its football team is the only nation to appear in every World Cup, win the World Cup five times and win said tournament away from their own continent (1958 Sweden, 1994 USA and 2002 Japan). Natal boasts the second purest air in the world after the Antarctic (according to NASA).

Buying Property in Brazil: There are numerous reasons why overseas property buyers – both investors and lifestyle purchasers – should buy in Brazil. Firstly, foreigners are allowed to purchase land and title 100% freehold, which is not always the case in fledgling markets. Secondly, the country’s economy is stable and growing rapidly – a great marker for the property martket in general. Thirdly – many of the large scale developers that cut their teeth in the Algarve and Portuguese property market have now turned their attentions to Brazil, bringing with them experience, transparency and excellent build quality.

The northeast area of the country is proving a hotbed of development at the moment, particularly the areas of Natal, Salvador, Itacare and Fortaleza; each of which boast a brilliant climate, unspoilt beaches and, most pertinently, low property prices. These factors, combined with Brazil’s stable government, low cost of living and safety (the country is free from terrorist threats and natural disasters) make Brazil one of the most appealing overseas property markets in the world today.