Although Recife is the fourth-largest city in Brazil, it is less modern and cosmopolitan than its more famous counterparts. It is a major port city, and much of its energy and culture has its source in the constant influx and outflow of trade. High rises, colonial churches, and markets quilt the city with a mix of old and new. It is often called the Venice of Brazil for its many canals, bridges, and tiny one-way streets.
