Paraty, Brazil - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Paraty, Brazil

Weather: Partly cloudy early, scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, 77/92F.

Route: From Rio de Janeiro 248 km west on BR-101.

Population: 43,680

Significance: Paraty is one of the best preserved colonial towns in the heavily populated southeast of Brazil.  It is surrounded by four parks and preserves protecting the delicate habitat for endemic bird species and even jaguar and cougar.  The name "Paraty" is actually from the native Tupi language, meaning "river of fish." The Portuguese established a town here is 1597. By the end of the 17th century Paraty has become an important part of the Gold Trail - bringing gold from the mountains of Minas Gerais, including Ouro Preto.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Images:

Chapel of Sorrows (from whc.unesco.org)

Cajaiba's Long Beach showing the delicate habitat of the surrounding area (from whc.unesco.org)