Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil or República Federativa do Brasil, listen ), is the largest and most populous country in Latin America, and the fifth largest in the world in both area and population. For hundreds of years, Brazil has symbolised the great escape into a primordial, tropical paradise, igniting the Western imagination like no other South American country. From the mad passion of Carnaval to the immensity of the dark Amazon, it is a country of mythic proportions. Perhaps it's not quite the Eden of popular imagination, but it's still a land of staggering beauty. There are stretches of unexplored rainforest, islands with pristine tropical beaches, and endless rivers. 3/4 of Brazilians live in the cities, most of which are on the coast. What's best about Brazil? The Brazilians! Their love of life and their ability to enjoy the here and now, talking, sharing good food, music and dancing. Brazilians are reknowned for having fun.
| History & Geography
|
The territory of Brazil has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years by indigenous populations. It is generally accepted that Brazil was first discovered by Europeans on April 22, 1500, by Pedro Álvares Cabral, though this is contested by some
 Brazil is located in Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil borders Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. | | Demographics | Brazil's population is very diverse, comprising many races and ethnic groups. In general, Brazilians trace their origins from four sources of migration: - Amerindians, Brazil's indigenous population, which are believed by some archeologists to be human groups that migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait around 9000 BC.
- Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.
- Africans brought to the country from 1530 until the end of the slave trade in 1850.
- Diverse groups of immigrants from Europe, Asia and the Middle East arriving in Brazil during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Brazil's population is mostly concentrated along the coast, with a lower population density in the interior. The population of the southern states is mainly of European descent, while the majority of the inhabitants of the north and northeast are of multiracial ancestry (Amerindians, Africans and Europeans).
| | Education | The School system is divided into public and private. School hours can be from 7-12 AM or 1-6. Some schools have compulsory uniforms, particularly the private schools. Attendance is carefully monitored.
| | Politics/Government | | The Brazilian Federation is based on the indissoluble association of three autonomous political entities: the States, the Municipalities and the Federal District. A fourth entity is originated in the aforementioned association: the Union. There is no hierarchy among the political entities. The Federation is set on five fundamental principles: sovereignty, citizenship, dignity of the people, social value of labor, freedom of enterprise, and political pluralism.
The form of government is Republican and democratic, and the system of government is Presidential. The President is Head of State and Head of Government of the Union and is elected for a four-year term, with the possibility of re-election for a second successive term. Currently the President of Brazil is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was elected in October 27, 2002, and re-elected in October 29, 2006. The President appoints the Ministers of State and is assisted by them. Governors head the government in States and the Federal District, whilst Mayors are responsible for the government of Municipalities.
| | Religion/Municipalities |  Brazil is currently divided into five regions. These divisions are composed by states with similar cultural, economical, historical and social aspects, and although through the scientific point of view information given by this type of division is not very accurate, because official information given by the IBGE uses this system, this division is the most widely used in Brazil.
| | Customs | | There are a number of Do's and Don'ts when it comes to the customs of Brazil. These vary greatly from one region to the next and can range from gift giving to eating habits. Many Brazilians (and often Europeans and other Latin Americans) are shocked by our eating habits. One basic rule in particular to observe is:-
- Do not touch anything with your fingers. Using the hands is considered ill-mannered and unhygienic. Brazilians use utensils for pizza, sandwiches, fruit and chicken.
Checkout these links for more details:-
| | Culture | The Brazilian culture is a Latin American culture of a very diverse nature. Its chief early influence was Portuguese culture, due to strong colonial ties with the Portuguese empire that spread the Portuguese language, legal system and other cultural inheritances. Other important influences came from other parts of Europe, the Native South American people (such as the Tupi), Africa and Asia creating a diverse multicultural and multiethnic society.
| | Food | Brazilians generally eat a light breakfast and can consist of fruits and fruit juices, cheeses, breads, cereals, cakes, eggs and meat.
The main meal of the day is lunch, or almoco, which is served from about 11:30 AM to 3 PM. Dinner, or jantar, is served from 7 to 11 PM. In metropolitan areas Brazilians dine late. | | Family Life | The family is the foundation of the social structure and forms the basis of stability for most people. Generally, families are very close, they talk about mostly everything and do a lot of activities together.
- Families tend to be large (although family size has been diminishing in recent years) and the extended family is quite close.
- The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need from the family.
- Nepotism is considered a positive thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
| | Language | | Portuguese is the only official language of Brazil. It is spoken by nearly the entire population and is virtually the only language used in schools, newspapers, radio, TV and for all business and administrative purposes. Moreover, Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas, making the language an important part of Brazilian national identity | | Quick Facts
| National Name
Brazil |
|
| Capital City
Brasília
Largest City
São Paulo |
|
| National Anthem
Brazilian National Anthem
Hino Nacional Brasileiro
|
| | Primary Language
Portugese
|
|
| Independence
(from Portugal)
Declared - Sept 7, 1822
Recognized - Aug 29, 1825
Republic - Nov 15, 1889
| | | | Population
188,078,261 (2006 est) |
|
| Monetary unit:
Brasilian Real
|
|
| Ethnicity/Race
|
|
| Religion
Roman Catholic 74%
Prodestant 15.4%
|
|
| Land Area:
8,514,877 km²
|
|
| Climate
Mostly tropical, but temperate in south. Temperatures range from 27-32°C in January and 16°C in July. Rainfall totals are high (over 1000mm). The wettest seasons is during the summer months - November to April.
Terrain:
Mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt
|
|
| School
Pre-primary, 2-3 years
1st to 8th grade (mandatory)
Collegial (High School), 3-4 years
|
|
| Favourite Sports
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Brazil.
Basketball, volleyball, auto racing, martial arts, tennis, team handball, swimming and gymnastics
Natural resources:
bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Public Holidays
| New Years Day | Jan 1
| | Carnaval | Tues before Ash Wed
| Ash Wed
(morning only)
| 44 days pre Good Fri | | Good Friday |
| | Tiradentes | Apr 21 | | Labour Day / May Day | May 1 | | Corpus Christi | 62 days post Good Fri | | Independence Day | Sept 7 | | Children's Day | Oct 12 | | All Souls Day | Nove 2 | | Republic Day | Nov 15 | | Christmas Day | Dec 25
|
Famous Brazilians
Pele
Gisele Bundchen
International Calling Code
+55
| | |
