Brazil's annual Carnival is divided into two parts: the folk Carnival, which is attended by amateurs, and the official one, a competition between the best samba schools from all over the Latin American country. According to preliminary estimates by organisers of the event, at least 7 million people will take part in the Carnival just in Rio de Janeiro, including at least 1.5 million tourists.
The most famous processions of Brazil are taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, as well as in the north-eastern cities of El Salvador and Recife.
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© AP Photo / Andre Penner
A dancer from the Imperio de Casa Verde samba school performs during a Carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Members of the Imperio Serrano samba school perform during the first night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A reveller from the Grande Rio samba school performs during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dancers from the Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A reveller from the X9-Paulistana samba school performs during the first night of carnival in Sao Paulo's Sambadrome, Brazil.
Members of the Viradouro samba school perform during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Drum Queen Sabrina Sato from the Gavioes da Fiel samba school performs during the second night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A member of the Viradouro samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A member of the Viradouro samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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© AP Photo / Leo Correa
A performer from the Viradouro samba school parades on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Drum Queen Juliana Paes from the Grande Rio samba school performs during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro.
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© AP Photo / Andre Penner
A dancer from the Aguia de Ouro samba school performs during a Carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A reveller from the Imperio de Casa Verde samba school performs during the first night of Carnival in Sao Paulo's Sambadrome, Brazil.
Revellers from the Imperio Serrano samba school perform during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Mocidade Alegre samba school performing during the second night of Carnival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the city's Sambodrome.
A member of the Viradouro samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A Carnival princess performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Revellers from the Viradouro samba school perform during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Colorado do Bras samba school float during the first night of Carnival in Sao Paulo's Sambadrome, Brazil.
A reveller from the Unidos de Vila Maria samba school performs during the second night of Carnival in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
