3 Surprising Things You’ll Find in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

A waterfall in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Photo by Enzo Sanches on Unsplash

The southernmost region in the country of Brazil is Rio Grande do Sul, the home to more than 11 million people and a land that doesn’t quite fit in with the most common stereotypes about the largest South American country.

In fact, you will probably be shocked as a visitor that you can see these three things in Rio Grande do Sul!

A Wine Region

You probably don’t associate wine-making with Brazil, but there is, in fact, an important wine region in Rio Grande do Sul. Vale dos Vinhedos is a region located in the Gaucho Highlands region of the state where a growing number of vineyards produce wines like Merlots and Chardonnays.

An Old German Settlement

The majority of Rio Grande do Sul’s population is of European origin, and a surprisingly high number of Germans settled here in the 20th century. You can discover this heritage in Gramado, a tourist-oriented city that features German architecture, restaurants, and the Mini Mundo Park.

Huge Canyons

The mountainous terrain of Rio Grande do Sul is also the home of a collection of impressive canyons such as Itaimbezinho, Fortaleza, and Malacara. Waterfalls and rushing rivers are found in these forested environments that you can hike in to discover.