File number: brfd0014

© South American Pictures/ Tony Morrison

Brazil: Minas Gerais state, The Rio São Francisco 1800 miles (2900km) is the longest river wholly in Brazil and is known as the 'river of national unity' as it connects the north-east and south-east. For many years Mississippi-style sternwheel paddle steamers, known as gaiolas [small steamers] carried passengers and cargo between Juazeiro in Bahia, Petrolina in Pernambuco and Pirapora in Minas Gerais.