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.