Brazil Begins Carnival Celebration

SALVADOR, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 16: Brazilians perform capoeira on the first day of Carnival celebrations on February 16, 2012 in Salvador, Brazil. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art and dance form that was developed by slaves in the region. Carnival is the grandest holiday in Brazil, annually drawing millions in raucous celebrations culminating on Fat Tuesday before the start of the Catholic season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday. Salvador is the capital of the Northeastern state of Bahia and was the first colonial capital of Brazil. Police strikes in Salvador and Rio de Janiero in recent weeks threatened Carnival and raised questions about the country’s preparedness to host the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Rio de Janiero’s Carnival begins tomorrow. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)