| General
Information about the Federative Republic of Brazil: |
Located in South
America, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world when
referred to its total area. It is a tropical country that shares a
wide range of cultural diversity known worldwide, such as the Bossa
Nova and Carnaval. Brazil is the land of the Amazon, Pantanal,
beautiful beaches, hospitable and warm people, samba, futebol,
little tonws and large cities. It is also a country of many nations.
During the last centuries, immigrants from all parts of the world
came to this special place, contributing to the nation’s rich
culture, unique in the world.
The main
characteristic of Brazil is its diversity – landscapes, people,
culture and its economic production. The end result is a dynamically
rich and diverse reality.
Within its 8 million square kilometers, there
is an assortment of natural resources that are dispersed in immense
equatorial forests, widespread praires, mountains and flatlands,
beaches, and savannas (cerrados). Nevertheless, it is not the
geographic characteristics that make Brazil so original and unique.
The real Brazil, the Brazil that is known around the world, is the
one that hides behind the faces of its 170 million people.
The Brazilian
population is a result of the blend between several ethinic groups,
such as native indians, whites, blacks and Asians, that took place
over five centuries of history. These people became known for their
cheerfulness and good humor, who surprised the world for their bold
architecture, contagious music rhythms, economic diversity,
adventurous nature in films, rich literature, the spectacle of
Carnaval and the creativity of their futebol. They have portrayed
Brazil as the world knows them, and it is through them that one
might comprehend the country.
The Brazilian
population is the fifth in the world. They are people who defend the
principles of democracy, justice, multilateralism, peaceful solution
of conflicts, preeminence of human rights, universal
self-determination, no intervention, equality among States,
protection of peace and cooperation among nations for the
enhancement of humanity. They are people full of hope and strength,
with a desire to see their country in the direction of social
development and economic fairness.
The majority of the
population is located in urban areas, distributed along Brazil’s
16 states and 1 federal district, all of which contribute for the
country’s relevant place in the global economy.
The numbers of the
Brazilian economy are impressive. It is the biggest sugar cane
producer in the world, as well as coffee and orange (which is
actually not surprising that it is the largest exporter of sugar,
instant coffee and concentrated orange juice), and it is the second
producer of soybean, meat and poltry. It is the biggest producer of
omnibus (??) in the world. It is the fourth exporter of airplanes,
automobiles and steel, and it has the largest and most diversified
industrial park of Latin America. In the area of high tech and
telecommunications, Brazil has 15 million internet users (95% of tax
returns were processed over the internet last year), has 61% of all
the internet sites in Latin America, has the most modern technology
in bank automation and exports its voting electronic system, which
has been used with much success in the last national elections in
more than 99% of its voting zones.
Brazil is making a
number of economic progress, strengthening the basis of a new
sustainable growth cycle. It is working hard to make the necessary
adjustments to guarantee the public spending, reduce its external
vulnerability and decrease its social gaps. The country is
increasing its exports and savings capacity, and it is also working
to attract new foreign investments to reach levels of economic
growth compatible to its potential. The Brazilian government has
clearly established its position in the opening of the 58th General
Assembly of the United Nations: “In Brazil, we are starting a new
model capable of joining economic estability and social inclusion.
Commercial negotiations are not the end to the means. They need to
be able to promote development, as well as to beat poverty. Foreign
trade should not be an instrument to only create wealth, but
distribution as well.”
The Brazil of today
was built upon more than 500 years of history. It began as a
Portuguese colony, to soon become the united kingom of Portugal’s
crown and Algarves, and after that, an independent Monarchy. After
six decades as a Monarchy, the proclamation of Republic was made at
the end of the 19th century. Brazil has gone through revolutions and
protests throughout the 20th century until it consolidaded democracy
in a process that began in the 1980s. This long historic tradition
helped to create the Brazil of the present – a republican nation
with a legitimate and ratified presidential system made by the
Brazilian people in a constitutional plebiscite (???).
The popular
representation in the Legislative is made by a bicameral system
composed of a Federal Senate with 81 senators, and a Chamber of
Deputies with 513 deputies. The Judiciary is independent and it
controls justice at Federal and state levels, each one of these with
its own court of justice and small courts. The highest court in
Brazil is called the Supremo Tribunal Federal.
Brasilia, the
national capital, was inaugurated in 1960. It was created
specifically as the nation’s political center, established in the
geographic heart of Brazil, as a mean to promote national
integration.
Money
and Banking Instituitions
The Brazilian
currency is called Real (R$). The Real is sub-divided into coins and
paper money (bills) made of different values. There are notes of
R$1, R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50, and R$100. There are coins of
R$0,01, R$0,05, R$0,10, R$0,25, R$0,50, and R$1,00. The
majority of credit cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants, as
well as in other commercial establishments. Traveler’s checks and
foreing currency can be exchanged in most commercial banks, and some
hotels also have available foreign exchange services to their
guests. Banks are usually opened from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through
Friday.
Taxes
and Fees over the Aggregated Value (IVA)
In Brazil, the IVA,
as well as other taxes are directly included in the prices of final
purchases. There are no reimbursements of these taxes to the
tourists.
Gratuities
Some percentage is
required as retribution for specific services.
Climate
The highest and
lowest temperatures in Brasilia for the month of August are 25,7º
and 15º Celsius, respectively. The meetings will occur in the
beginning of the dry season, but it is recommended to bring a
raincoat.
Time
Zones and Telephone Codes
The standard time
zone in Brasilia is UTC/GMT – 3. The internacional country code of
Brazil is 55, and the area code of Brasilia is 61.
Voltage/
Electricity
There are several
electric voltage in Brazil, sometimes in the same city. Electrical
outlets can accept different types of plugs. For this reason, many
hotels have labels in their plugs so guests know what type of energy
can be used. If a plug does not offer a label, this information can
usually be obtained at the hotel guide services. In the case of
doubt, one must inquire guest services before plugging any
electrical device. The voltage in Brasilia is 220V. The electrical
plugs in Brazil generally have two flat blades (like in the United
States, except that they are not polarized), or two rounded pins;
electrical outlets generally accept both types of plugs. Some plugs
may have a third leg, also known as flat blades with round grounding
pin.
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