About Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. It spreads across almost half [47.3%] of South America, and occupies a total area of 8,547,403.5 km2. It is the fifth largest country in the world after Canada, the Russian Federation, China and the United States. Except for a small number of islands, Brazil is a single and continuous land mass.
Historically, the mix of races has made Brazil a culturally rich and at the same time unique country. This miscegenation began with the Indian, the African and the Portuguese, but in a short time, immigrants from around the world began to arrive: Europeans, Asians, Jews and Arabs. The result was a happy people, open to everything new, a people only found in Brazil.
Because of this tremendous diversity, Brazil is one of the last places on earth where no one is a foreigner, where one can change one’s destiny without losing one’s identity and where each and every Brazilian has a little of the entire world in his or her blood. This may be the reason the Brazilian receives anyone from another land so well. According to surveys carried out with foreign tourists who visited the country, 97.2% intend to return soon; 56.5% had their expectations completely satisfied; and, for 31.7%, their expectations were completely exceeded. As you can see, those who come to Brazil become fans on the first visit.
Language
The official language is Portuguese; however, the accent and the intonation are very different from what one hears in Portugal and other former Portuguese colonies. Some people say that Brazilians speak “Brazilian”, just like Americans can say they speak “American”, and not English. And there are also many Brazilians who are descendants of immigrants and who speak German and Italian, especially in cities in southern Brazil.
Brazilian Democracy
Brazil has been a republic since 1889. Throughout this entire period, the country actually lived little more than thirty years of democracy [1946–1964 and from 1985 to the present]. Nevertheless, it is one of the most democratic nations on earth. Brazilian democracy, which was won back after 21 years of a military dictatorship, proved to be vigorous and became an important part of the life of its people.
The National Congress has been operating like clockwork for 175 years. In the entire history of the country, only on three occasions did the elected representatives not complete their terms. The strength of the Congress is actually so great that not even the military dictatorship of the 1960s could do without it. There have been national elections in Brazil since 1823. And these elections have been open to voters in a manner almost unheard of even for European democracy standards.
Useful Information
Tips
Most bars and restaurants include a service charge of 10% in the bill. It is usual to leave a little extra if the service has been satisfactory. When no service charge has been included then a tip of 10% to 15% is the general rule. It is not usual in Brazil to tip a taxi driver although it is common to round off the amount and let the driver keep the change as a gratuity.
Communications
To make an international call, dial:
00 + operator code* + country code + area code [if there is one] + telephone number
For reverse charge international calls dial 0800 7032111
» Embratel 21
» CTBC 34
» GVT 25
» Intelig 23
» Telefônica 15
» Telemar 31
22º C in the south.
For more tips and information about Brazil
www.braziltour.com
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. It spreads across almost half [47.3%] of South America, and occupies a total area of 8,547,403.5 km2. It is the fifth largest country in the world after Canada, the Russian Federation, China and the United States. Except for a small number of islands, Brazil is a single and continuous land mass.
Historically, the mix of races has made Brazil a culturally rich and at the same time unique country. This miscegenation began with the Indian, the African and the Portuguese, but in a short time, immigrants from around the world began to arrive: Europeans, Asians, Jews and Arabs. The result was a happy people, open to everything new, a people only found in Brazil.
Because of this tremendous diversity, Brazil is one of the last places on earth where no one is a foreigner, where one can change one’s destiny without losing one’s identity and where each and every Brazilian has a little of the entire world in his or her blood. This may be the reason the Brazilian receives anyone from another land so well. According to surveys carried out with foreign tourists who visited the country, 97.2% intend to return soon; 56.5% had their expectations completely satisfied; and, for 31.7%, their expectations were completely exceeded. As you can see, those who come to Brazil become fans on the first visit.
Language
The official language is Portuguese; however, the accent and the intonation are very different from what one hears in Portugal and other former Portuguese colonies. Some people say that Brazilians speak “Brazilian”, just like Americans can say they speak “American”, and not English. And there are also many Brazilians who are descendants of immigrants and who speak German and Italian, especially in cities in southern Brazil.
Brazilian Democracy
Brazil has been a republic since 1889. Throughout this entire period, the country actually lived little more than thirty years of democracy [1946–1964 and from 1985 to the present]. Nevertheless, it is one of the most democratic nations on earth. Brazilian democracy, which was won back after 21 years of a military dictatorship, proved to be vigorous and became an important part of the life of its people.
The National Congress has been operating like clockwork for 175 years. In the entire history of the country, only on three occasions did the elected representatives not complete their terms. The strength of the Congress is actually so great that not even the military dictatorship of the 1960s could do without it. There have been national elections in Brazil since 1823. And these elections have been open to voters in a manner almost unheard of even for European democracy standards.
Useful Information
Tips
Most bars and restaurants include a service charge of 10% in the bill. It is usual to leave a little extra if the service has been satisfactory. When no service charge has been included then a tip of 10% to 15% is the general rule. It is not usual in Brazil to tip a taxi driver although it is common to round off the amount and let the driver keep the change as a gratuity.
Communications
To make an international call, dial:
00 + operator code* + country code + area code [if there is one] + telephone number
For reverse charge international calls dial 0800 7032111
Operators
» Brasil Telecom 14» Embratel 21
» CTBC 34
» GVT 25
» Intelig 23
» Telefônica 15
» Telemar 31
Climate
The climate is predominantly tropical with some variation according to the region. The average annual temperature in the north is 28º C and22º C in the south.
Time Zones
Because of its continental dimensions Brazil has 4 time zones. The official time is Brasília time and it corresponds to 3 hours less than GMT. From September to February the clocks are put forward one hour in most Brazilian States.For more tips and information about Brazil
www.braziltour.com
Source: Brazil Ministry of Tour
