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Some people think the regional differences across the United States are strong enough that each geographical area of the US is a nation in itself. Can the same be said for Brazil? Can it be said, for example, that northeastern Brazil, with its large African population and close proximity to the African continent, is an African nation in all but name?
I would say that Colombia is more regional than Brazil perhaps even the USA both in ethnic make-up, culture, music and even language.
In Brazil there is a north-south divide with Cariocas and Paulistas in the middle.
I would say that there are 2 Brazils in an overall context although with a bit more detail you can easily come up with 5 main regional identities.
1.Paulistas-Sertanejos (From Sao Paulo to Brasilia, Mineiros can be included at a push)
2.Bahianos-Cariocas (From Rio to Salvador)
3.Southern-Gauchos (From Porto Alegre to Curitiba)
4.Nordestinos (Recife + Fortaleza and others)
5.Amazonicos (Manaus to Belen)
It depends very much in the emphasis you're making. There are uncountable Brazils. The one mentioned by Pueblo is ok if you're talking about "styles", but economically Rio is more linked to São Paulo and Minas Gerais than to Bahia.
The east portion of the litoral - from Rio to Pernambuco - where there are many african descendents (not the northeast), they are european descendents as well. For notorious historical reasons the surnames and many more comes from the european portion of the heritage.
Great elements of the brazilian culture has african roots, but it doesn't mean that they are equal to Africa, but are renewed in the brazilian mixed context creating a brazilian culture.
An example the Umbanda Religion, that is a christianized afro-brazilian religion, have few in common to african religions themselves. Capoeira, Samba etc are other important examples.
In heavily german colonization areas, a german brazilian dialect called Hunsrückisch, features antique German trait with many influences of the Portuguese language.
You will find lots of similarities and differences for all Brazil.
Some people think the regional differences across the United States are strong enough that each geographical area of the US is a nation in itself. Can the same be said for Brazil? Can it be said, for example, that northeastern Brazil, with its large African population and close proximity to the African continent, is an African nation in all but name?
Not all northwest, only Salvador area is very African culturally.
The northwest in general has a culture that remember a lot the old Portuguese countryside culture (Atrás dos montes).
People there most part (80%) is mixed race (white, black and native Indian) but 70% with white Portuguese heritage in average in this mix (and many Netherlander too) so they have a peculiar culture developed there, very different to Salvador.
Although Salvador is very African in culture they have more in common with the rest of Brazil than Africa.
For example the samba music has strong African influence but in Africa has nothing similar to samba, it has been developed in Brazil. The Brazilian carnaval is a original European party that in Brazil has been transformed.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu is from the ancient japanese jiu-jitsu but nothing in Japan fight it like us. The modern jiu-jitsu has been developed here in Brazil.
Brazilian culture is based/from and a mix of many others but developed here not just imported.
I think is similar what happens in the US.
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