Brazil

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Founded in 1535, <b>Santos</b> was one of the first Portuguese settlements in the New World. Situated a few kilometres east of Sao Vicente, the city was developed on an island, with the port facing inland and ships approaching through a narrow canal. The heart of the city is very much connected with the port activities, and the main buildings lie along a network of narrow alleyways and streets.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are several street markets, where bartering is the order of the day, just as it was in ancient times. One of the most important attractions in the city centre is the Rodoviària, near Praça dos Andradas. The commercial centre is found along Rua XV de Novembro and Rua do Comercio.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The city's train station, built in 1860, is a copy of London's Victoria Station. Nearby is the Baroque-style Santo Antoñio do Valongo church and Convento do Carmo. The city's commercial importance is now complemented by the tourist industry, with many visitors preferring the coast of <b>Santos</b> to Rio de Janeiro.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the south side of the island, which has a 400km coastline, are a number of bays with large beaches, protected inland by green hills, giving a Mediterranean feel to the area.