 Brazil
shares a border with almost every other country in South
America--only Chile and Ecuador are untouched--and covers
almost half the continent. It is the fifth largest country
in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China, and the U.S.A.,
with an area of eight and a half million square kilometres.
For
hundreds of years, Brazil has symbolized 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, Brazil is a country of mythic proportions. All
the while, the people of Brazil delight visitors with
their energy fantasy and joy.
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Major
Tourist Cities/Areas Information |
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Visa
Requirement |
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| BRAZIL
Map |
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|
 |
 Country
Facts*: |
Full
country name:
República Federativa do Brasil
Area: 8,514,215 sq km (3,286,487 sq
mi)
Population: 184.101.109
Capital city: Brasília
People: 55% European descent, 38% mulatto,
6% African descent (according to the 1980 census). In
reality, these figures are skewed by whiteness being
equated with social stature in Brazil
Language: Portuguese
Religion: 970% Roman Catholic ; also
a significant proportion who either belong to various
cults or practice Indian animism
Government: Federal republic
Business Hours: Business hours are
usually 9AM to 6PM, Monday through Friday. Banks are
open 9AM to 15PM, Monday through Friday, however the
currency exchange has longer hours from 9AM to 5:30PM.
Retail stores are open from 9AM to 6:30 or 7PM. Most
shopping centers and malls may stay open until 10PM
Major
industries: Textiles, shoes, chemicals, lumber,
iron ore, tin, steel, motor vehicles and parts, arms,
soya beans, orange juice, beef, chicken, coffee, sugar
Major trading partners: EU, Central
and South America, Asia, USA
Internet Domain: .br
International Dialing Code: +55 |
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| Calendar
of Events*: |
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January:
1st - New Year's Day
20th - Sao Sebastiao (B-Rio de Janeiro only)
25th - Sao Paulo Anniversary (B-Sao Paulo only)
February:
11-12th - Carnaval
13th - Ash Wednesday
March:
29th - Good Friday
April:
11th - Tiradentes Day
May :
1st - Labor Day
30th - Corpus Christi Day
June:
24th - Sao Joao Day
July:
9th - Sao Paulo State Day
16th - Nossa Senhora do Carmo Day
August:
15th - Assumption Day
September:
7th - Independence Day
October:
2nd - Merchant Day
12th - Nossa Senhora Aparecida Day
November:
2nd - All Souls Day
15th - Proclamation of the Republic Day
30th - Evangelicals Day
December:
8th - Imaculate Conception Day
25th - Christmas Day
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| *
Information is subject to change. For further update,
please check these websites: www.news.bbc.co.uk,
www.cia.gov, www.southamericanway.com,
www.timeanddate.com |
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