Salvador Brazil Facts That Will Make You Want To Plan Your Next Trip!

Did you know that the original name of this city in northeastern Brazil was Cidade de São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos?

Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, but since Brasilia became the capital city, Salvador has been the capital of the province of Bahia. The international airport at Salvador offers excellent connectivity to major domestic and international locations.

Salvador sits on the southern edge of a magnificent, bluff-shaped peninsula that separates Todos os Santos Bay, a deep natural harbor, from the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a hot tropical climate, with a milder rainy season from June to August. The ocean breezes on the Atlantic side help to lower temperatures.

Few cities can rival Salvador da Bahia's vitality and unrecognized beauty. Salvador, formerly the colonial capital of Portugal, is now the beating center of the country's Afro-Brazilian minority. Festivals are held on a regular basis, with drum corps hammering out rhythms against the backdrop of old structures. Crowds of religious believers worship African gods in Candomblé celebrations elsewhere in town, evoking a different vibe. In fact, no other region in the Western Hemisphere has preserved the culture of enslaved people from Africa, from music and religion to food, dance, and martial-arts traditions, as Salvador has. Apart from the numerous attractions within Salvador, a beautiful beach sits just outside the city limits, providing an ideal introduction to Bahia's tropical grandeur.

Some of the most popular attractions in Salvador are the historic churches, long Brazilian coast, youth hostels, Cajazeiras Golf and Country Club and Itapuã Golf Club, Praça das Flores, São Joaquim, Santa Bárbara, and São Miguel markets.

After reading about the African influences on the culture and sacred art of Bahia, also check out our facts about the waterfall between Brazil and Argentina and facts about Brazilian culture.

What is Salvador, Brazil, known for?

As the country's previous capital, the city is rich in colonial history, architecture, and art. Salvador Bahia will easily entice you with its lovely architecture, ancient old town, and idyllic beaches.

To begin with, Salvador was formerly the capital of Brazil, as evidenced by the royal architecture. You'll discover rows of beautiful buildings with a historic flair built on curving cobblestone walkways as you walk through the historic center. As you go along the city's streets, you'll notice that there's never a shortage of things to do. Pelourinho, the whole Old Town, is UNESCO-protected and has a combination of European and African elements. On the other hand, don't miss Salvador Cathedral or the Rio Branco Palace when touring the neighborhood because this is one of the city's most historic structures.

Salvador is located on the point of a peninsula that juts out into the sea. Being encircled on three sides by the sea has its benefits. Great beaches are among them. For instance, opposite the Forte So Diogo, Porto do Barra Beach is a nice area to bask in the sun. Similarly, the somewhat broader and equally gorgeous Farol da Barra Beach is just around the corner. If you're swimming, be really cautious. There are many huge boulders underneath that safeguard the coastlines.

Take a stroll along the promenade if you become tired of lying on the beach. You may go to a handful of the notable forts in Salvador, Bahia. Despite the fact that the city is on Brazil's east coast, these two forts face west, which makes them ideal spots for watching the sunset.

The Barra Lighthouse is a landmark of Salvador Bahia, with its unique black and white stripes. In addition, there is a historical site on the premises that concentrates on the town's naval history. The 17th-century Fort of Saint Diogo is at a perfect location for taking in the views of the harbor. There is a museum on the premises as well. Furthermore, if you're lucky, you'll be able to come on a day when one of the city's many cultural events is taking place. Certainly, Brazilian food is unavoidable, and this is especially true in Salvador.

This magnificent cathedral in Salvador's lower town, built in the 18th century, is the venue of the famed Festa do Senhor do Bonfim event. Every year in January, Salvador da Bahia hosts this event. It's a lovely sight to see the colorful Bahia bands that serve as a sign of faith and good fortune at other times of the year.

The church was constructed to hold the statue of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. Captain Teodósio Rodrigues de Faria, a Portuguese naval commander, transported the monument from Setbal, Portugal, to Salvador in 1740. A religious order known as the Bonfim Brotherhood was created a few years later, and residences were constructed in front of the church. This is to accommodate pilgrims who visit Salvador every year to pay homage to Our Lord of Bonfim.

Historic Centre Of Salvador De Bahia

Salvador is the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia. Cuisine, music, dancing, and architecture are all celebrated in the city.

Salvador is one of the oldest colonial towns in the Americas, having been founded by the Portuguese in 1549 as the country's initial capital. The Lower City (Cidade Baixa) and Upper City (Cidade Alta) are separated by a 280.5 ft (85 m) cliff.

Since 1873, the Elevador Lacerda, Brazil's oldest urban elevator, has linked the lower and upper town. It was originally a hydraulic elevator that was changed to an electronic one in 1906. Its two Art Deco-style towers were rebuilt in 1930. The elevator features four lifts, each of which can transport 27 passengers in a 30-second journey.

Salvador is the biggest town in the Northeastern Part and the fourth largest in the country, behind So Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia, with a population of 2.9 million people in 2017. The weather of Salvador de Bahia is a trade-wind tropical rain forest environment with elevated heat, high humidity, and rain throughout the year, with no distinct summer months. Temperatures are quite stable throughout the year, with minimal seasonal variation.

Tourism And Recreation

Located along the Brazilian coastline, Salvador de Bahia is an important tourist attraction for all travelers heading to Brazil from across the world. There are plenty of beaches open for tourists and locals.

One of the most important attractions in Salvador is Pelourinho or Pelo. It is a colonial-era historic center that has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is home to one of the largest collections of traditional Baroque colonial architecture in Latin America. The churches, markets, and thriving nightlife there are a big draw for travelers from across South America.

Salvador has been categorized into upper parts and lower parts. The lower part features a port, a commercial district, and residential units, while the upper part is home to main government buildings and numerous residential and shopping districts.

Government And Politics

As the first capital of Brazil and the current capital of the Bahia province, Salvador has always had a considerable impact on national as well state politics.

During the Brazilian independence movement, Bahia used to be a stronghold of the monarchy and was, in fact, the last province to join the new Empire of Brazil.

The Bahia government operates from the state legislature and other departments from the different offices present across the city of Salvador. Bahia's state governor is the head of the local government and works in tandem with the central government.

There are 43 councilors in the Salvador City Council who are responsible for the upkeep of the facilities in the city and operate under the aegis of the mayor.

Primary And Secondary Schools

Education is a top priority in Salvador because so many impoverished families are still trying to overcome poverty. It is not totally free (parents who can afford to pay to do so). To make matters worse, rural communities have lower standards than cities.

At the age of seven, children enter primary school after attending optional kindergarten. The next nine years of study are divided into three three-year cycles, the third of which is a transfer to middle school. Students continue their secondary education for another two years, after which they get a general bachelor's degree, which is comparable to a high school certificate. Unless they want to continue their studies at university, they may stay one year longer and complete their education with a technical bachelor's degree.

Some of the noteworthy primary and secondary schools there are the Pan American School of Bahia, Colégio Marista, Colégio Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Colégio São Paulo, Colégio Módulo, Colégio São José,Colégio Gregor Mendel, Colégio Nossa Senhora das Mercês, and several others.

Visiting Salvador, Brazil

The Bahian Carnival (Carnaval) is the world's biggest celebration. It has enormous dimensions. Almost four million people celebrate for a week along 16 mi (25 km) of streets, avenues, and squares. Over 100,000 individuals are expected to attend the festival, which attracts over 800,000 visitors on average.

Intermarriage between Native-Indian, African, and European ethnic groups led to Salvador's historical and cultural elements. The religion, food, cultural expressions, and customs of the people of Bahia reflect this combination. The celebration of African cultural customs is especially noteworthy in Salvador Da Bahia.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our Salvador Brazil facts, then why not take a look at our Brazilian soccer facts or fun facts about Brazil?