Recife, the capital ofPernambuco, is one of the largest and most important cities on the northeastern coast ofBrazil. Known for its large scale production ofsugar cane, its name is an allusion to the stonereefsthat are present by the city's shores. The many rivers, small islands and over 50 bridges found in Recife city centre characterise its geography and led to the city being called the "BrazilianVenice."
Recife stands out as a major tourist attraction of theNortheast, both for its beaches and for its historic sites, dating back to both the Portuguese and the Dutch colonization of the region. The beach ofPorto de Galinhas, 60 kilometers (37mi) south of the city, has been repeatedly awarded the title of best beach in Brazil and has drawn many tourists. The Historic Centre ofOlinda, 7 kilometers (4.3mi) north of the city, was declared aUNESCO World Heritage sitein 1982, and both cities'Brazilian Carnivalare among the world's most famous.