The state of Rio Grande do Norte is located on the northeastern tip of Brazil. A popular destination for local tourists, the tropical shorelines of Rio Grande do Norte (such as those in the municipality of Maxaranguape) are famously pristine - boasting, as a 2011 NASA study indicated, the 'cleanest air in the Americas'. The state’s capital, Natal, is home to two wonderful beaches (Praia de Ponta Negra and Praia dos Artistas). It is highly recommended to walk to the Forte dos Reis Magos - the 1598 fort that led to the establishment of Natal - which offers great views of the city, the shoreline, and the nearby Rio Potengi.