Goiás - State of Brazil

The cuisine of the state of Goiás is a reference throughout the country, with traditional dishes made of corn such as pamonha (creamed corn) and canjica (hominy) besides the typical empadão goiano, a hot pie that uses cheese, hearts of palm and olives as basic ingredients. The pequi, a fruit native to the cerrado that is green outside and yellow inside with a small thorn, is also an ingredient in dishes like galinhada (chicken stew) and the basis for a liqueur that is very popular after meals.

In June Goiás hosts the International Festival of Environmental Film in Goiás Velho, the former capital of the state. The town is recognized by Unesco as a World Cultural and Historical Heritage and draws attention for the centuries-old architecture of its historic center and cobblestone streets.

The town of Pirenópolis preserves in its centuries-old houses part of the history of Goiás and still showcases stone paths on its slopes, in addition to several churches and historic farms. Surrounded by nature and at the foot of the Pirineus Mountain Range, Piri, as the town is commonly known, also offers several natural attractions like waterfalls, natural reserves, parks and belvederes.

Ecotourism is practiced in places like Chapada dos Veadeiros, which has been declared a Natural Heritage site by Unesco, and Emas National Park, the habitat of jaguars, maned wolves and anteaters. The region of Caldas Novas and Rio Quente, the world's largest spa, which guarantees bathing in natural hot waters, attracts visitors from around the world (Source: Embratur).

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