Brazil is not only Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo

The Southern Region of Brazil includes the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande Do Sul. 

The region received large amounts of European immigrants during the 19th century, who largely influenced the demography and cultural aspects of it. The main ethnic groups of Southern Brazil are Brazilians of Portuguese, German and Italian descent.

Parana:  Paraná was first settled by gold prospectors from São Paulo and formed part of the captaincy and province of Sao Paulo.The first missions of the Jesuits on the Paraná were situated just above the Guayra Falls in this state and had reached a highly prosperous condition when the Indian slave hunters of Sao Paulo (called Bandeirantes) compelled them to leave their settlements and emigrate in mass to what is now the Argentine territory of Misiones.Curitiba, the capital of Parana, is one of the most prosperous and organized cities in all of Brazil, Curitiba is a world-wide example of urbanism solutions, education and environmental protection. This Brazilian metropolis, in southern Brazil, was nominated as the American Cultural Capital in 2003, an initiative of the Organization of the American States (OEA). Curitiba was founded in the 17th century as a gold-mining camp, and became the capital of the state of Paraná in 1854, experiencing rapid growth following the 1940's. Its 1.6 million people are a synthesis of several cultures of immigrants that arrived in the city during the 19th century and early 20th century. Curitiba is a city of eclectic culture and maintains strong influence from the European immigrants.Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu falls) is located in the extreme west of the State of Paraná, on the border of Brazil with Paraguay and Argentina. Together with the Argentine cities of Ciudad Del Este and Puerto Iguazu, it forms part of one the largest cultural tourism poles in South America and one of the planet’s natural wonders, with 275 waterfalls and an average height of 60m.

Santa Catarina: The State which was initially known for its beautiful coastline with more than 500 beaches grew to acknowledge that its geographic and cultural diversity was also a big tourist attraction.  Santa Catarina offers a number of products and specialized segments throughout the year: rural tourism, thermal mineral resorts, ecological tourism and adventure sports, historic monuments and sights, religious tourism, Beto Carrero World and Unipraias parks) and the unforgettable beach resort of Balneario Camboriu.

Some of the products can only be sold in the off-season, like the snow spectacle on the Catarinense Mountain Range - the only place in Brazil where it snows every year. This region is the birthplace of rural tourism, has farm hotels with trout fishing in the ice-cold rivers, horse riding, trekking and outdoor sports activities.

Florianopolis the city/island State Capital attracts a large numbers of tourists during the summer months lured by its 42 white sand beaches. 

The island is generally considered to be blessed with the best and most consistent waves in Brazil, and in early November of each year hosts what is currently South America's only ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Championship Tour professional surfing competition.

In addition to the bay and ocean beaches, there is also a large lagoon - Lagoa da Conceicao - several exhilarating vistas from hillside overlooks and the preserved remain or ruins of three old fortifications from the colonial period.

Rio Grande do Sul:  The state is bordered to the north by the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Uruguay, and to the west by Argentina.

Ecotourism is very popular in the Germanesque cities of Gramado and Canela; their cold weather is among their attractions for internal tourism. Tourism is also high in the wine regions of the state, principally Caxias do Sul and Bento Goncalves. The pampas of the native Brazilian gaucho are both a national and international curiosity to tourists and their customs are alive in the capital city of Porto Alegre as well as in the cities of the "interior" or western Rio Grande do Sul such as Santa Maria and Passo Fundo. The state is also home to the historic Sao Miguel Das Missoes, the ruins of an 18th century Jesuit Mission. In the city of Nova Prata in way the native bush, you find a park thematic, with sources that gush out thermal waters in a temperature of 41°C, which possess excellent medicinal and therapeutic properties.

Porto Alegre, capital of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, is located on the banks of the Guaiba River. An interesting visit for those who want to know about "gaucho" culture. You can visit the Gaucho Tradition Center, located in Praia Street downtown, which is a popular area for strolling. Boat tours along the Guaiba River are also very enjoyable.

Gramado hosts the Festival de Gramado, a major South American film festival and Gramado's most important event.

Canela is very popular for Parque do Caracol and the Cataract or Cascata do Parque do Caracol (Snail Falls Park).  Ecotourism is very popular in the area and there are many opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and river rafting.  Canela is part of the Rota Romantica or Romantic Route, a touristic scenic bypass.