Goiânia

GOIÂNIA was founded in 1933, becoming the state capital four years later. Over a million strong, cheaper (and wetter and greener) than Brasília, with some good hotels and only 209km from the federal capital, the city is a good stopping-off point, since it is well connected by road to most other Brazilian cities. Goiânia earns its living as a market centre for the surrounding agricultural region, which specializes in beef and soybeans.