News Bahia is the birthplace of Brazil It was here that the Portuguese first landed back in 1500 The state’s largest city, Salvador was the first capital of the new country Over the years that followed, Bahia has played a massive part in the development of Brazil’s economy and its extraordinary culture and customs Millions of slaves were brought here from Africa to work the sugar fields and today the influence of Africa is all-pervading, from the cuisine to the religion to the people themselves Even for a first-time traveller to Brazil, a trip to this giant state is an absolute must With a coastline of around 1,000km, a history of more than 500 years and an intoxicating mix of African, European and indigenous cultures, there’s something for everyone Here’s a tiny selection of what Bahia has to offer The music Wherever you are in Bahia, you won’t be far from African-influenced sounds, rhythms and themes The music of Bahia ranges from the simple and poetic (Dorival Caymmi) to the more intellectual and eclectic (Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa) and to today’s dominant rhythm of Axé This energetic genre’s biggest stars include Daniela Mercury and Ivete Sangalo The music of Axé legend Margareth Menezes combines a massive voice and stage presence with lyrics that speak powerfully of Brazil’s African heritage and black consciousness   The landscape Every backpacker’s favourite, the Chapada Diamantina natural park is a hiker’s paradise A seven-hour bus journey from Salvador into the hinterland of Bahia, the area gets its name from the diamonds that were once abundant here Today’s travellers come for the best walking in Brazil, in a breathtaking landscape of endless canyons, rock formations, crystal clear rivers, grasslands and waterfalls The Chapada Diamantina in inland Bahia is Brazil's number one hiking destination (Photo: Turismo Bahia: João Ramos) Salvador Brazil’s first capital, Salvador has it all: history, culture, beaches and parties The historical centre, the Pelourinho, is a world heritage site jam-packed with baroque churches, colonial architecture and cobblestone streets Michael Jackson even shot the video to his hit They Don't Care About Us there Once you’ve had your full of sight-seeing, some of Brazil’s best city beaches are just a bus ride away in Porto de Barra By night, Rio Vermelho is the place to go to meet the locals and indulge yourself in Bahian music, cuisine and dancing   The beaches Where to begin? Some of the beaches in Bahía are regularly voted the best not only in Brazil but also in world In southern Bahia, the beaches of Porto Seguro and Arraial d’Ajuda are popular with families and youngsters from all over the country and beyond Trancoso is more upmarket and a favourite with jaded paulistas (residents of Brazil's biggest city, São Paulo) In central Bahia, Itacaré combines deserted beaches with perfect surf Meanwhile, the beaches north of Salvador are perfect for travellers who need a break from the frenzy of Bahia’s capital: Praia do Forte and Imbassai are two of the most peaceful The heartbreaking beauty of Praia do Espelho in Trancoso (Photo: Bahiatursa/Jota Freitas) The islands Some of the best beaches in Bahia aren’t on the mainland but on the islands dotted off the state’s coastline A two-hour ferry journey from Salvador (don’t forget your sea-sickness pills) takes travellers to the holiday islands of Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba, where there are no cars, no paved roads and nothing to stop you spending all day on the beach Boipeba is the quieter, more romantic choice Morro de São Paulo attracts a younger crowd and hosts booming beach parties A beach to yourself; welcome to Boipeba (Photo: Turismo Bahia/Jota Freitas) The marine life Getting to the isolated Abrolhos archipelago in southern Bahia, is harder work but adventurous travellers at the right time of year will be amply rewarded From July to November, humpback whales come here to give birth in the warm waters around the islands Those on tighter budgets or with less time to spare shouldn’t worry about missing out It is easy to spot whales frolicking off the beaches off Salvador itself Meanwhile, Praia do Forte hosts a successful sea turtle conservation project and sanctuary A humpback whale off the Abrolhos Islands in the waters of Bahia (Photo: Turismo Bahia/João Ramos) The traditions Bahia is an intoxicating mix of the European, the African and the indigenous Some of the best-known symbols of Brazilian culture were born here, from world-famous martial art/dance capoeira to musical instruments such as the berimbau and the syncretic Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé The Mercado Modelo in Salvador is a good place to get a taste of all the above A capoeira group practices in Salvador (Photo:Setur/Rita Barreto) The cuisine All over Salvador, Afro-Brazilian women dressed in characteristic white Candomblé dresses sell acarajé – the number one street snack in the city, made of beans, shrimp and onions mashed together into a compact ball and then fried in oil from the dendê palm For a more substantial meal, try moqueca, a delicious seafood stew cooked with coconut milk and the ubiquitous dendê oil Be warned – food here can be spicy and heavy, so go slow to start with Acarajé: you haven't been to Bahia if you haven't tried it (Photo: Turismo Bahia/Rita Barreto) The parties Salvador’s Carnival needs no introduction Every February millions of people put all their troubles behind them in a pulsating festival where the music, the dancing and the passion never stop It's quite possibly the world's biggest party On a smaller, more manageable scale are the festas juninas These festivities commemorate St John’s Day in June and are popular across the North East of Brazil They are a celebration of the rural life; in Bahia some of the biggest festivals take place in country towns in the interior  A typically restrained Carnival scene in Salvador (Photo: Getty Images/LatinContent/Ng Adenilson) The people Wherever you go in Bahia, it is more than anything the people that will make your journey memorable Easy-going, relaxed, streetwise and creative, spend anytime here and it won't before long until you understand just where the state got its tourism motto from: Smile, you’re in Bahia Million dollar smile: lighten up your life with a trip to Salvador (Photo: Getty Images/LatinContent/Adenilson Nunes)