If you had to choose one country that has a global reputation for partying, it would have to be Brazil - and you'd probably thinking of the country's famous carnivals. But Brazilians don't only party during carnival: 7th September is also a key day on the party calendar as, since 1822, it has been commemorated as Brazil's Independence Day.

Not that the country has always had reason to celebrate, and many decades have been blighted by the type of political and economic upheavals certainly not uncommon in South America, but the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as President in 2002 has proved to be a real turning point, and Brazil can now celebrate its independence with a genuine belief in its political and economic prospects.

"Brazil is currently growing so rapidly that it's difficult to ignore," says Sarah Drane of GEM Estates.  "Already the 10th largest economy in the world, Brazil is also one of the four largest developing economies in the world (known as the 'BRICs' - the three others being Russia, India and China) and, according to Goldman Sachs, by 2050 Brazil will be the world's fifth-biggest economy."

Of course, Brazil has much more going for it than investment appeal - as its rapidly growing number of visitors will attest. In fact, there was a 134 per cent increase in visitor numbers between 2002 and 2005, with the World Travel and Tourism Council announcing in March of this year that travel and tourism demand in Brazil is now growing at a rate of 7.2 per cent annually, which is clearly in excess of global averages.

Drane continues: "Brazilian tourist authorities are proud of the fact that 96 per cent of tourists to the country plan to repeat the experience in the future, and it's perfectly clear why. Brazil is a country on the up, and for all its riches in terms of landscape, beaches (which compare with the best in the Caribbean), carnival and footballs, it's still incredibly affordable. Apartments built to European standards by European developers start from just £35,000in Natal – a true emerging market."

And it is Rio Grande do Norte, the north-eastern region of Brazil and home to Natal, which is proving most popular for property investment. This, explains Amanda Billage of Experience International, is because of a number of key reasons: "There is an established and thriving tourism industry in Rio Grande do Norte where the weather is the best in Brazil and where visitors can enjoy between 320 and 360 sunny days every year; It is the safest region in Brazil; it is easily and affordably accessible from Europe and the UK and the region will soon be home to the world's fifth largest airport; and significant public and private investment is being made to improve accessibility, infrastructure, amenities and desirability."

For investors keen to prove their independence from the established property investment destinations, Experience International is currently marketing Pipa Paradise. The development consists of two distinctive and private, gated communities of apartments and villas. On-site amenities include swimming pools, a spa and fitness centre, and an open-air restaurant. Prices start at £55,126 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Alternatively, in Maracajau, GEM Estates is marketing Beach Villas on private plots of 480 square metres. The villas comprise three bedrooms, three bathrooms, fully fitted American-style kitchens, garages and swimming pools; prices start from approximately £168,000.

Tempted to take the plunge and get the investment party started? Pauline Scrace of International Horizons offers the following reassurance: "All indicators show a huge potential and growth for this sector in Brazil and if you are an investor or just someone looking for a second home now, Brazil is the place to look for it."

Read the latest World Property Bulletin ezine now FREE

Search for property in Brazil

Request a FREE copy of World of Property magazine

Related articles about Brazil property:
Brazil real estate finally emerges
Brazil property has huge potential

Pictured: Frontline apartments in Natal available through International Horizons; prices start from £56,535.

Article first published 07 September 2007