Dancers from the Portel samba school perform during a Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Carnival occurs immediately before Lent and typically involves a public celebration and/or parade. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations. The world's largest carnival celebration is held in Brazil but many countries worldwide have large, popular celebrations.
Dancers from the Mangueira samba school perform during a Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Dancers from Porto da Pedra samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. Porto da Pedra samba school paid tribute to the centennial of the Japanese immigration to Brazil.
A float from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Percussion queen Juliana Paes dances during the parade of Unidos da Viradouro amba school at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Dancers from Unidos do Viradouro samba school parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Dancers perform during the parade of Unidos da Viradouro samba school at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Dancers from the Unidos de Viradouro samba school parade down at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
A float from the Portel samba school parades during Carnival celebration at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
A member of the Portela samba school perform during a Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.
Performers from the Vila Isabel samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008.
Revelers make their way home carrying their costumes after official parades end in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008.
Italy
People wearing helmets for protection throw oranges as part of Carnival celebrations in the northern Italian Piedmont region town of Ivrea, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. The traditional orange-throwing battle has its roots in the middle of the 19th century.
People wearing protective helmets and costumes throw oranges as part of Carnival celebrations in the northern Italian town of Ivrea, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. The traditional orange throwing battle has its roots in the middle of the 19th century.
Smashed oranges cover the ground during a Carnival celebration in Ivrea, Italy, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. The traditional orange throwing battle has its roots in the middle of the 19th century.
Germany
A woman dressed as a clown is seen during the traditional Carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Street spectacles in the Carnival strongholds of Duesseldorf, Mainz and Cologne are watched by millions of revelers, marking the highlights of Germany's Carnival season.
Colombia
A reveler breathes fire during the Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. The carnival was declared by the UNESCO in 2003 as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."
Revelers rest before performing at the Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008.
Haiti
A man takes part in the Mardi Gras Carnival parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008.