A stunning South American country has been hailed as a global beach capital, with resorts that are 30C in February.

       Brazil, the largest and easternmost country on the continent, has long been synonymous with sun-soaked sands and breathtaking resorts.

       And as Britons continue to hunker down amid February's wintery gloom, many will be eyeing up a trip to get some much-needed sun.

       Brazil is largely located in the southern hemisphere, meaning it sees its hottest months across the country from November to March and is a great destination for hibernal getaways.

       Seaside cities like Arraial d'Ajuda in Bahia offer stunning views with the mercury rising to around the 30C mark even now. But it's only one example of the wealth of popular spots for sunseekers on offer.

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       The Telegraph's Travel section says the country is "arguably the global capital of beach culture", and with more than 2,000 along its coastline to choose from, it's easy to see why.

       The country even boasts the longest beach in the world, Praia do Cassino in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which stretches a staggering 158 miles from the municipality of Rio Grande to the border with Uruguay.

       The country's former capital Rio de Janeiro is perhaps the country's best-known city, and is designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site for its Urban Cultural Landscape, while also being home to top-notch beaches like Ipanema and the world-famous Copacabana.

       But if whiling away the hours upon the sands with a cool drink isn't your thing, the city also has an incredibly rich culture and a host of cultural treasures.

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       Highlights include Tijuca National Park, world's largest urban forest, which has spectacular views, lush green trees, mountainous terrain, and creeks and waterfalls for nature lovers to enjoy.

       An iconic symbol of the city is the Christ the Redeemer statue, which sits at the peak of Tijuca’s Corcovado mountain and looks down over the landscape from 700 metres high.

       The statue itself, constructed between 1922 and 1931, is 30 metres high with an epic arm span of 28 metres.

       It's also home to what is thought to be the biggest Carnival celebration in the world, which is held every year before Lent and dates all the way back 1723.

       The massive event brings some two million people to the streets to celebrate daily amid the colourful floats, costumes and dancing.

       But there are a host of other extraordinary sights to see including Sao Paolo, the country's vibrant financial centre, and Minas Gerais's capital Ouro Preto with its nearly two dozen churches, as well as towns within the southeastern state, per Lonely Planet.

       However, while Brazil has a huge amount to offer, the travel website warns that crime is a "widespread issue throughout" the country, "especially in large cities and the favelas usually located in the city outskirts".

       The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to parts of Brazil, citing the risks to travellers due to crime - even in popular hotspots like Rio - as well as the threat of terrorist attacks.

       You can find the latest FCDO advice and guidance for specific regions here.