BRAZIL
History
Brazil was discovered in 1500 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral . From this date on various economic cycles punctuated the history and development of the country.
The first such cycle was the "Brazilian Wood Cycle", based on a type of wood used mainly to produce paints and stains. Later came the "Sugar Cane Cycle", and during the 17th century, Brazil became the world's largest producer of sugar. Then came the "Gold Cycle", during which time, gold was the main source of the nation's income. The "Diamond Cycle", which began about the same time that gold mining began to decline. The "Coffee Cycle" started in the second half of the 19th century and still represents one of the country's main source of export earnings . During the latter part of the 19th century the "Rubber Cycle", brought prosperity to the north of Brazil and transformed the country into the world 's largest producer of natural rubber.
At the beginning of the 19th century, when Portugal was invaded by Napoleon's armies, Dom João VI, king of Portugal, moved his court to Brazil, an act which gave a new sense of importance and impetus to the country. Ports were opened to international commerce and the resulting spirit of regeneration contributed to the expansion of the major commercial and cultural activities.
The first movement for the Independence of Brazil from Portugal, occurred in 1789, and its hero, popularly know as "Tiradentes" became the national symbol of liberty. Independence was proclaimed in 1822 by Dom Pedro I, first Emperor of Brazil. His son, Dom Pedro II, reigned for 49 years until 1889 when Brazil was proclaimed a Republic. Today it is a Federated Republic, divided into 25 states and 1 territory. In 1940 Brazil started a new phase characterized by industrial development. At the same time, agricultural technology advanced, giving further impetus to the industrial surge and so accelerating financial expansion. In spite of a large and ever growing domestic market Brazil continues to be a major exporter of agricultural products as well as manufactured items such as heavy machinery, shoes and steel products.
Area
Brazil is 3,319,66 square miles or 8,511,965 square kilometers covering almost half of South America. Brazil's coastline runs along the Atlantic Ocean for over 11,919 miles (7,408 kilometers) of white sandy beaches.
Borders
Almost a continent in itself, Brazil borders all the nations of South America, with the exception of Chile and Equator.
People
Germans, Italians, Japanese and Slavs immigrated to the South of Brazil, Mediterranean immigrants went to the Southwest, and Africans, Dutch and other European strains settled in the North. Despite all its inter-racial nature, Brazil is sufficiently integrated, speaks one language and does not have a single dominant racial group.
The Brazilian Ethnic Composition
Mulato: descendant of White and Negro
Caboclo: descendant of White and Native Indians
Cafuso: descendant of Negro and Native Indians
Ainoco: descendant of White and Japanese
Climate
Most of Brazil lies immediately to the south of the Equator. As a result, there is very little seasonal variation. The climate is comfortably temperate in most of the country, and refreshing sea breezes often blow along the coast all year round. With temperatures usually ranging from 65 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 30 degrees Centigrade) in Brazil 's principal cities, casual spring and summer clothes are appropriate for almost every region and occasion.
Time zone
In most of the country and in the main cities, the time is 3 hours earlier than Greenwich. That happens because Brazil is within the same hemisphere, it is in the same time zone as North America and there is a maximum of 2 hours difference from New York 's time.
Entry requirements
A visa is required for U.S. citizens wishing to visit Brazil. Passports, valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival, must carry a visa for Brazil. Tourist or Transit visas generally processed within two working days, are obtained from the nearest Brazilian Consulate. One passport-size photograph, along with a round-trip ticket and an application form, fully completed and signed are required.
Customs requirements
Besides clothing and personal belongings, tourists entering Brazil may bring one of the following items : a radio/ tape-deck / portable disc laser / walkman / a typewriter / camera.
National holidays
January 1 = New Year 's Day
February/ March = Carnival, 4 days before Ash-Wednesday
March/April = Easter ( Good-Friday is a national holiday )
May 1 = Labor Day
June = Corpus Christi
September 7 = Independence Day
October 12 = N. Sra. Aparecida (patron saint of Brazil)
November 2 = All Soul 's Day
November 15 = Proclamation of the Republic
December 25 = Christmas Day
Business hours
The shops in Brazil are open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM , Mondays through Friday, and from 9:00AM to 1:00PM on Saturdays. Shops close as late as 10:00 PM during the month of December. Banks are opened from 10:00AM to 4:30PM, during the week.
Electric current
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo provide 110 or 220 Volt, 60 cycle alternating current (AC). Salvador and Manaus have 127 Volt service. Recife, Brasilia and a number of other cities have 220 Volt service. Most hotels, however, provide transformers and/or adaptors for guests.
Clothing
Tropical suits are necessary and, with neckties, are the customary official attire all year round. A dark, lightweight suit will be useful for formal evening occasions. Dinner jackets are rarely worn. Light cotton dresses are worn by women in the summer. In the winter, warm clothing is suitable for Southern Brazil. In restaurants, ties and jackets are seldom required (in Rio only), but are frequently necessary because of the air-conditioning. The sunlight is extremely bright and sunglasses are recommended.
Vaccination
None is required.
Currency
The Brazilian currency is the Real (R$). The official rate of exchange for other currencies is published daily in the main Brazilian newspapers. Foreign currencies or travellers checks can be exchanged for Real at hotels, banks, and travel agencies. Most international credit cards are accepted.
Language
Portuguese is the national language.
In Brazil, Portuguese is spoken with a rhythmic intonation and in relaxed way unknown in Portugal. It has a flavor of its own , typical of a young and dynamic country. Today one might say that Brazilians speak "Brazilian". English is the second language spoken in most areas, specially in hotels, shops, restaurants, and other tourist spots.
Shopping Centers
Most of the modern capitals feature comfortable shopping centers, where one may find every article from cigarretes, films, shoes, to precious stones. Most of the modern shopping centers have a large entertainment area and food-plazas.
Telephone calls
International calls are easy to do, to be collected home or (at telephone offices) paid locally. Collect calls may be done from public telephones dialing 107 (no tokens required).
Taxis
Usually are yellow-cars with a taximeter. Some major capitals offer also a radio-taxi service, with more comfort. Airport taxis operate with pre-established prices.
Potable water
Although water is treated in most cities, we strongly recommend that only mineral water shall be drinked. Water from taps is not suitable for drinking.
Mail Services
Hotels usually deliver any letters or post cards, but there are post offices available in every neighbourhood.
Duty Free shops
Found at the International Airports only. These shops, located inside the international boarding areas, accept foreign currencies only.
Brazilian Folklore
The brazilian folkloric literature is very influenced by the European, but with influence from the native indians and Africans traditions too. The folklore has conserved myths and tales from Africa, mainly under the religious aspect. The strongest folkloric expressions are found in the Northeast, where tradition, individual creativity, songs, tales and myths are mixed in the every-day-life of its people.
The Brazilian popular music
Although the most popular rhythm is the "Samba", made known world-wide by the famous singer Carmen Miranda, the Brazilian music today is representted by the "Bossa Nova". The percussive rhythms from Africa have generated a number of dances and styles such as the Camdomble and Afoxé (Bahia State), Frevo and Maracatu (Pernambuco State), Xaxado (Northeast States) , Carimbo (Pará State), and variations from the Samba itself in Rio de Janeiro region: Samba de Gafieira (Indoor dances), Samba Canção (slow pace samba), Samba de Carnaval (Theme songs for the Carnival Parades), Samba batucada (full percussive), Chorinho (played by small combos with guitars, mandolins, tambourine and a flute or clarinet). Some of the top Brazilian song-writers are Milton Nascimento, Tom Jobim, Jorge Benjor, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, continuing Carmen Miranda's task of making the Brazilian Music known around the world.
Undoubtly, the Brazilian carnival is the most popular celebration in the entire world, and the country really stops for almost a whole week. The period is variable, from February to March, starting 4 days before Ash-Monday. Rio de Janeiro, where the famous samba-schools parade takes place, attracts thousands of visitors every year. This celebration in Recife - where its peculiar brass bands play songs under the wild rhythm of the "Frevo" - and in Salvador - the "electric trios" in Salvador push thousands of people through the city streets. Of course, Carnival takes place everywhere in Brazil, but the 3 mentioned cities would be the recommended spots for a first time experience.
Another yearly celebration that gathers more and more people is the New year's Eve celebration in Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana Beach gathers almost a million people. They come to the beach to watch the fireworks, while members of afro-related religions deliver their offerings and gifts to the sea-goddess Yemanja.
Handicrafts
Embroideries, potteries, ceramic, wood-carvings, dolls, in a immense variety may be found at local markets and street fairs.
Typical food
The cookery is varied, originated from native indian food added with the spices from India brought by the Portuguese, made by the black-slaves from Africa. Each region have its peculiar dishes such as :
Amazon region - Amazonas, Pará and Maranhão native food, basically fish, crabs, games in the forest, local fruits, seeds, herbs and roots.
Northern Region - Ceará, Piauí, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Alagoas. Mainly seafood dishes, seasoned with coconut oil and milk, flour and jerked meat with beans and roots.
Bahia State - The state where most of the black population settled, have some African influence in dishes such as Vatapá, Acarajé, using the oil extracted from the "Dende" in almost every dish. Mostly sea-food ( shrimps, crabs ) very spicy.
Minas Gerais State - The so called home-made food, in a country style, made mainly of pork meats, beans, cheese and milk.
Rio de Janeiro - The carioca "Feijoada", made of black beans, assorted meats from pork to ox, cabbage, manioc flour, always served with the national appetizer - caipirinha.
The brazilian fruits - the diversity of fruits amazes anyone; the production is exuberant and features tropical fruits such as pineapple, bananas, cashew, passion fruit, papaya, and cold-climate fruits as melons, grapes, apples. The Amazon Region is prodigal in exotic fruits - bacuri, cupuassu, jenipapo, mangaba, tapereba, just to enumerate a few. Delicious fruit-juices are made of these fruits and are available in most Brazilian capitals.
Brazilian Drinks
Coffee - a daily habit, found in every Brazilian city, served in demi-tasses
Erva-mate - An herb produced in Southern Brazil and enjoyed by southerners, substituting the coffee in the form of tea.
Guaraná - An Amazonic fruit, which powder added to water and sugar turns into a refreshing and stimuling drink. It is found industrialized.
Caldo de Cana - The sugar cane juice extracted in small mills , served ice-cold.
Batidas - The result of the mixture of the Brazilian sugar cane liquor (Cachaça) with different fruit juices and sugar, served cold . .
The Caipirinha - The most popular " batida ", made of Cachaça , crushed limes and sugar served ice-cold.