Rio Carnival is a crazy celebration that lasts for four days, 40 days before Easter. Known as Carnaval in Portugese, it is celebrated everywhere from towns to villages in Brazil and other Catholic countries. It starts officially on the Saturday and finishes on what is known as Fat Tuesday, which is today. The Carnival has a wild atmosphere and is celebrated to excess. It usually falls in February which is the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere.
The rejoicings are not reserved for Rio, indeed the carnival is celebrated across Brazil, the other major places being in Recife and Olinda (Northeast Brazil) and Salvador. The winner for the biggest, boldest and of course the most famous location has to be Rio de Janeiro.
