Brazil description. Where is Brazil located? Government of Brazil

Useful information for tourists about Brazil, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Brazil, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Brazil.

Geography of Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America by area and population. Occupies the eastern and central part of the continent. It borders French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay. From the east it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in which it owns several islands (the most important is Fernando de Noronha).

In the north of the country there is the Amazonian Lowland (Amazonia) - a vast valley of one of the largest rivers in the world. In the north, it gradually turns into the hilly plains of the northern part of the Guiana Plateau (height 150-700 m, individual peaks up to 1200 m), surrounded along the state border by the steep cliffs of the Serra Imera, Serra Parima and Serra Pacaraima (Mount Roraima - 2772 m) . Almost the entire remaining territory of the country is occupied by the Brazilian Plateau, which rises to the south and northeast and drops steeply to the narrow edge of the coastal Atlantic lowland. The extreme mountain ranges (Serra do Mar, Serra da Mantiqueira and others) reach a height of 2890 m (Mount Bandeira).

State

State structure

Federal Republic. The head of state and government is the president. Parliament is a bicameral National Congress, consisting of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Language

Official language: Portuguese

Spanish is widespread; French, German, and Italian are also used.

Religion

The main religion is Catholicism, but there are others: Jewish, Protestant, and African spiritualist religions.

Currency

International name: BRL

There are banknotes in denominations of 1,5,10,50,100 reals and coins in denominations of 1 real, 1,5,10,50 centavos. International credit cards are accepted in hotels and some shops.

You can exchange checks and foreign currency in banks (the most favorable rate), exchange offices at travel agencies and shopping centers, in hotels (dollars only), and at the airport.

History of Brazil

The origins of the American Indians are still a matter of debate among archaeologists. The traditional view, which is based on migration from Siberia to the Americas at the end of the last Ice Age across the Bering Isthmus, is increasingly being questioned, especially by North American archaeologists.

By the time Europeans arrived, Brazilian Indian peoples were using bone and planed stone tools and weapons similar to those found in much of the Americas at the time. Ceramics appeared very early in Brazil.

Brazil was discovered in 1500 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral. In 1533, the Portuguese colonization of Brazil began, the coast of which was divided into 15 captaincys. In 1549, the Portuguese possessions in Brazil were directly subject to the King of Portugal. The captain-general, whose residence was in Salvador, became the viceroy of the Portuguese king. In 1574, a decree was passed prohibiting the conversion of local Indians into slaves. This led to the massive importation of black slaves from Africa. In 1640, the first Viceroy of Brazil was appointed Marquis de Montalvão.

Since 1763, Rio de Janeiro has become the capital of Brazil. Portuguese King João VI fled to Brazil from Napoleon. After his father's return to Portugal in 1821, his son Pedro remained in Brazil as regent, and on September 7, 1822, he declared independence from the mother country and declared himself Emperor of the Brazilian Empire under the name Pedro I. He was succeeded by his son, Pedro II, who ruled until 1889, when a republic was proclaimed. The year before, in 1888, slavery was abolished in Brazil. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Brazil attracted more than 5 million European and Japanese immigrants.

In 1930-1934 and in 1937-1945 - the dictatorship of Vargas. In 1964, a military coup was carried out in the country, as a result of which Marshal Castelo Branco came to power. This was the third dictatorship in the history of Brazil. It existed until 1985. In 1999, the country was gripped by a financial crisis. Since 2003, the position of President of the Republic has been held by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The origins of the American Indians are still a matter of debate among archaeologists. The traditional view, which is based on migration from Siberia to America at the end of the last Ice Age across the Bering Isthmus, is increasingly being questioned, especially by North American archaeologists....

Popular attractions

Tourism in Brazil

Where to stay

There are approximately 20,000 hotels in Brazil, most of which are located in Rio de Janeiro, the southeast and the ocean coast. The majority of hotels in Brazil are non-chain hotels owned by independent companies.

The quality of service in Brazilian hotels is not bad, although there is some sense of slowness, which, however, is characteristic of almost all destinations in Latin America. The class of a hotel in the country is assessed not according to the usual star system, but according to the types of services provided. Therefore, those coming here for the first time should inquire in advance about the hotel services offered. The main hotel chains in Brazil are: Melia, Atlantica Hotels and The Blue Tree. These are top class hotels with corresponding price levels. The Accor Group chain is very popular among holidaymakers.

Brazilian hotel rooms, unlike hotels in North America, are not equipped with irons, ironing boards and coffee makers. Even the most luxurious hotels offer their guests the simplest toiletries. In almost all hotels in Brazil, breakfast is included in the room rate.

In Brazilian hotels, all rooms, starting with the three-star category, are equipped with safes. If staying in hostels, all valuables should be deposited with the administrator or kept with you.

In the country's big cities, aparthotels are very common, offering better prices, home comfort and larger rooms. On the other hand, this type of hotel does not have its own restaurants, swimming pools or other public amenities.

But still, the most popular type of accommodation in Brazil are lounges - small two and three star hotels in the form of bungalows or huts. In such hotels, the lack of service is compensated by national flavor.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Brazil

Brazil is a huge, stunningly beautiful country in South America. There are mountains and plains, tropical forests and savannas, picturesque national parks and excellent beaches on the Atlantic coast. Brazil is an interesting country with its own history, culture, ancient traditions and, of course, traditional Brazilian cuisine.

The capital of Brazil, Brasilia, is a young modern city, built only in the middle of the last century. This very picturesque green city with a huge number of parks is located near the Paranoa reservoir at an altitude of 1100-1200 m above sea level. Brasilia was built according to a clearly developed plan and from a bird's eye view the shape of the city resembles an airplane. The architectural design of the central city square of the Three Powers, where mainly administrative and public buildings are located, amazes with its bizarre geometric proportions combined with sophisticated elegance. A masterpiece of modern architecture is the Brasília Cathedral, built by the outstanding Latin American architect of the 20th century, Oscar Niemeyer. It is interesting that the main rooms of the cathedral are located underground, while on top there is only an original dome made of concrete and stained glass. Among the excellent examples of modern architecture, it is worth highlighting the Palace of the National Congress, the Presidential Palace of Alvorada, the Government Palace of Planalto, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Palace of Justice, the Palace of the Supreme Court, the State Theater, the National Library and the National Museum.

Rio de Janeiro (former capital of Brazil) is an evergreen city with lush tropical vegetation and beautiful exotic flowers. The city also has many parks and a botanical garden, which is considered one of the best in the world. The symbol of the city and its calling card is the huge statue of Christ the Savior. It is located on Mount Corcovado and from its top there are stunning panoramic views of the city, the Atlantic coast and Guanabara Bay, at the entrance of which there is Sugarloaf Mountain - another calling card of the city (its top can be reached by cable car). The city is famous for its excellent beaches, the most famous of which are Ipanema and Copacabana. Among the architectural attractions of the city, the most popular are various temples (the monasteries of San Bento and San Antonio, the Capuchin Monastery, the Church of Our Lady of Lampedosa, the Church of Candelaria and the Church of St. Lucia) and the palace and park complex of Quinta da Boa Vista. Also very interesting are the exhibitions of the National Historical Museum and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Rio de Janeiro is also known for its world-famous “Brazilian Carnival”.

Sao Paulo is the economic center and largest city in the country. The architectural ensemble of Sao Paulo is notable for its mixture of different styles and eras. Ancient buildings combine perfectly with giant skyscrapers made of glass and metal. The central artery of the city and at the same time its landmark is Paulista Avenue - the center of business and cultural life. Sao Paulo is home to one of the largest neo-Gothic churches in the world - the Catholic Cathedral of Sao Paulo, striking in its splendor and grandeur. The city also has a huge number of diverse museums. The most famous of them are the Paulista Museum (historical museum), the Museum of Art, the Painting Museum, the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology of the University of São Paulo, the Zoological Museum of the University of São Paulo, the Impiraña Museum, the Museum of Images and Sound, the Collection of the Bandeirant Palace, the Memorial of Latin America and the Memorial immigrants. A great place for a walk is the Ibirapuera City Park. Also worth visiting in Sao Paulo is the zoo (famous for its excellent collection of tropical birds) and the Butantan snake sanctuary. The city's nightlife is also rich and varied.

Of the natural attractions of Brazil, the most stunning are the Iguazu Falls, located in the National Park of the same name on the border with Argentina. This unique creation of nature is a complex of almost 300 individual waterfalls, the largest of which is called “Devil’s Throat” (the height of the water fall reaches 82 m). Iguazu is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Next to it, even the famous Niagara looks very modest. Other interesting natural and historical attractions in Brazil include the Jau National Park, the Serra da Capivara National Park, the Sulstisio Archaeological Park, the Emas National Park, the Chapada dos Veadeiros Conservation Area, the Serra do Catimbao National Park and the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

The abundance of historical, architectural, cultural and natural attractions annually attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world to Brazil.

Cuisine of Brazil

Spreading from the pampas to the palm-fringed coastline, Brazilian cuisine is a potent blend. Each spoon contains a little history, a reflection of the great people who have left a lasting impact on this vast country. Gently spicy but not hot, fatty but with the freshness of lime, healthy, rich, with complex flavors and aromas, Brazilian cuisine also combines an amazing variety of ingredients and cooking methods, a true fusion of new and old worlds.

There are three culinary heritages at the roots of Brazilian cooking. The culinary traditions of the American Indians, the original inhabitants of the continent, are observed in the customs of food preparation. They are often prepared by wrapping them in banana leaves and using earthen fire pits and barbecues. They were also experts in developing soaking and heating processes and removing poison from the cassava tuber to make it edible.

Portugal's culinary heritage is reflected in one-pot goulash, grilled meats and sweet egg-based desserts, as well as cheese-making skills and meat-smoking. Portuguese influence is also noticeable in the use of ingredients such as salted cod, garlic, olives, quince and almonds.

The Portuguese brought millions of East African slaves to work on sugar plantations. Here's your third culinary heritage. Many Brazilian recipes feature African ingredients, such as palm oil, coconut, dried shrimp, plantain and okra. Later, the gold rush and rubber and coffee booms brought emigrants from Italy, Germany, China and Japan, and with them their culinary traditions.

Cowboys (gaucho) and carnival traditions are definitely worth mentioning. Raising livestock has been a major way of life in Brazil for a long, long time, and the cowboy love of steak or barbecued meat has spread throughout the country in the form of churrascarias - grill restaurants. And during carnivals, Cachaca white rum and celebration go hand in hand. The best cachaca-based cocktail is the Caipirinha, made with fresh limes and sugar.

Tips

In expensive restaurants and bars - 10% of the bill (if it does not include a service charge); in cheap eateries - 1-2 reais; in a cafe on the beach - not accepted; porter at the hotel or airport - 1 real; taxi driver - round the bill up.

Visa

Office hours

Most stores are open from 9 to 18.30 on weekdays, from 9 to 13 on Saturdays. Large stores are open until 22:00, supermarkets can work around the clock. Banks are open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Currency exchange offices are usually open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Souvenirs

Most often, tourists buy Indian vessels, Negro amulets or products made from Pau-Brazil mahogany, as well as summer knitwear, men's suits, and leather shoes. Here you can buy natural precious stones inexpensively: diamonds, emeralds, topazes.

Medicine

Pre-vaccination against hepatitis A and B and malaria is recommended; vaccination against yellow fever is desirable. High level of sexually transmitted diseases. There are many tropical diseases in the Amazon (repellents must be used). Tap water should not be drunk.

Safety

Brazil is one of the top ten most criminal countries in the world. It is not recommended to wear expensive jewelry, large sums of money, leave clothes, cameras and wallets unattended on the beach, or accept invitations from strangers. Avoid visiting torch (slum) areas even during daytime. Never leave documents, money or jewelry in your hotel room (hotels are not responsible for items missing from your room).

Emergency numbers

Fire protection - 193
police - 190
ambulance - 192
tourist police - 511-51-12; 511-57-67

Questions and feedback about Brazil

Question answer

Brazil (Brazil ) is the largest state in South America, occupying the fifth largest area in the world. Official name (FRB). This is a country with evergreen tropical forests and impenetrable wilds of the mysterious Amazon, magnificent beaches of the Atlantic coast and clear ocean water, roaring waterfalls and quiet bays, as well as exciting football and dizzying carnivals.

Brazil - " country of carnivals»

1. Capital

— Brasilia city(BrasíliA), located in the very center of the country on the Brazilian Plateau. City of Brasilia received capital status on April 21, 1960 and became the third capital after Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. BrazilA– a city with modern and unique architecture, with bright buildings, a lot of attractions, a favorable climate, clean, green, with a fairly high standard of living. Capital surrounded by the artificial lake Pantanal, whose waters serve as air conditioning"for the city and prevents the penetration of hot air.

2. Flag

– a rectangular panel of green color, with an aspect ratio of 7:10. In the center flag there is a yellow diamond, inside of which there is a blue circle with twenty-seven white stars, of five different sizes, grouped into nine constellations. The circle is crossed by a curved white ribbon with the national motto of Brazil: « Ordem e Progresso » (« Order and progress»).

green color - the personification of nature Brazil, with its dense, evergreen forests
yellow – country’s gold reserves
blue - cloudless sky
white – peace
27 stars are 26 states Brazil and federal district

3. Coat of arms

It is a five-pointed star framed by fruitful branches of a coffee tree on the left and flowering branches of tobacco on the right. In the center of the star is a blue celestial circle, inside which is the Southern Cross constellation. The 27 silver stars around the constellation represent the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District. There is a golden border around the celestial circle. Silver stars. A five-pointed star of golden-green color. Below the star is a symbol of the country's military power - a sword with a silver blade, blue hilt and red core, with a gold star inside.

This entire composition is located against a background of diverging golden rays. And under it is depicted a developing blue ribbon, on which the full name of the state is carved in gold in 2 rows. Republica Federativa do Brasil ” (Federative Republic of Brazil) and the date of independence is November 15, 1889.

4. Anthem

listen to the Brazilian anthem

5. Currency

Currency of Brazil — brazilian real (designation BRL, symbol R$), equal to 100 centavo. Brazilian real is a relatively new currency. Currently in circulation there are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavo and 1 real, as well as banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 reais. Well Brazilian real to the ruble or any other currency can be viewed on the currency converter below:

Appearance of Brazilian coins

Appearance of Brazilian banknotes

6. Brazil on the world map

Brazil- the largest state by area in South America and the fifth in the world, occupying the eastern and central part of the continent. Brazil Square amounts to 8,511,965 km2 . In the north, the country borders with Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, in the south - with Uruguay, in the west - with Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, in the northwest - with Colombia, and in the north and east it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Territory of Brazil has 3 time zones. In the north of the country is the Amazonian Lowland (Amazonia) - the valley of one of the largest rivers in the world, with numerous waterfalls. In the north it gradually turns into the hilly plains of the northern part of the Guiana Plateau. Almost the entire remaining territory of the country is occupied by Brazilian plateau.

7. How to get to Brazil?

8. What is worth seeing in Brazil?

Sights of Brazil- these are fiery samba dances and carnivals, impenetrable Amazonian jungles and roaring waterfalls, endless ocean coasts and national parks, architectural monuments, museums, theaters, stadiums and many other interesting places.

Here's a small one list of attractions, which you should pay attention to when planning excursions around Brazil:

Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo Bay
Iguazu Falls
Mount Corcovado
Sugarloaf Mountain
Historical center of Rio de Janeiro
Cathedral of San Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana - world famous beach in Rio de Janeiro
Museum of Contemporary Art in Rio de Janeiro
Iguazu National Park
Lencois Maranhensi National Park
Bird Park
Lacerda lift
Portuguese Royal Library in Rio de Janeiro
Amazon river
Sambadromo Marques de Sapucai
Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro
Statue of Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro Art Museum

9. Largest cities in Brazil

List of ten largest cities in Brazil

Sao Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Salvador
Brasilia - capital (Brasília)
Fortaleza
Belo Horizonte
Manaus
Curitiba
Recife
Porto Alegre

10. Climate

Brazil located in three climatic zones: equatorial, tropical and subtropical.

Equatorial belt(northeast of the country) is the hottest and driest region of Brazil. The average daytime temperature is +28°С…+32°С, night temperature is +22°С…+24°С. The driest months are: August - October, the rainy period lasts from January to May.
Tropical zone covers more than half of the country's territory and is characterized by moderate temperatures. At night the temperature ranges from +15°С…+19°С, during the day +28°С…+30°С. On the coast, the climate is hotter and air humidity is always high. The average amount of precipitation is 850 - 950 mm per year.
Subtropical zone(southern coast), is characterized by relatively low temperatures from June to August, from +12°C at night to +20°C during the day. In the period from January to March, the thermometer rises to +22°C at night and +27°C...+28°C during the day. The water warms up to a temperature of +26°С… +28°С. Precipitation falls more evenly than in the tropical and equatorial areas of the country.

11. Population

Population of Brazil amounts to 210,910,446 people – it is the 5th most populous country in the world (as of February 2017). Of these, 52.8% are white (Portuguese, Italians, Germans, Spaniards, Arabs), 39.7% are pardos (Brazilians of mixed origin), 6.5% are from the African continent, 0.6% are Asians and 0 .4% are Indians. Average male life expectancy Brazilian population is 67 - 73 years old, women - 75 -82.

12. Language

Brazil is a multilingual country with about 175 different languages. Status state language and wears - Portuguese, which is owned by more than 99% residents of the country. In addition to Portuguese, a number of local languages and dialects are used: Baniwa, Guarani, Kaingang, Canela, etc. Some immigrants speak German, Italian, English and Japanese.

13. Religion

Predominant religion in brazil -Christianity. 68% of all believers are Catholics, 18% are Protestants, 2% are supporters of spiritualism, the rest of the population professes African religions: Candomblé and Umbanda, as well as Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Indian religions.

14. Holidays

National holidays in Brazil:

January 1 – New Year and Universal Brotherhood Day
movable date in February - Brazilian Carnival
moving date March-April - Easter
May 1 - Labor Day
August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary
September 7 - Brazil's Independence Day
October 12 - Apparition of the Virgin Mary
November 1 - All Saints' Day
November 15 is the day of the Proclamation of the Republic
December 25 – Christmas (Catholic)
December 31 New Year

15. Souvenirs

Here's a small one list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from Brazil:

brazilian coffee
hammocks
Indian souvenirs
carnival costumes
Cachaca is a strong alcoholic drink made from sugar cane.
colorful Brazilian dresses
semi-precious and precious stones
seasonings and spices
figurine in the form of a fig
mahogany talismans
football paraphernalia
flip-flops "Havaianas"

16. “Neither nail nor rod” or customs rules

They allow the import of currency in unlimited quantities, but amounts over 10,000 Brazilian reais or the equivalent in foreign currency are subject to mandatory declaration.

Allowed:

You are allowed to import up to 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars duty free; up to 24 units of alcoholic beverages with a total volume of no more than 2 liters; personal goods totaling no more than $500 or its equivalent. You can also import one of the following items duty free: tape recorder, radio, typewriter, player, binoculars, photo, film or video camera and business notepad with computer memory.

Forbidden:

The import and export of drugs, firearms, ammunition, medicines, radioactive materials, meat and meat products, dairy products, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants and their parts, feed materials, honey, wax, live birds, insects and snails is prohibited. also biological cultures, biological products or materials used in veterinary medicine (including medicines).

For importing pets You must have an international veterinary certificate.

Export prohibited any wild animals, their skins and products made from them, shells, feathers and claws, as well as objects of art, antiques and historical values.

17. Voltage in the electrical grid in Brazil

Electrical voltage: 110/220 Volt at a frequency of 60 Hz. Socket type: Type A, Type B, Type C.

In different areas, the network voltage may be 115, 127 or 220 Volts. Most commonly used sockets types A, B and C. Two voltages are usually used to power high-power electrical appliances powered by 220 volt. From January 1, 2010 Brazil switched to sockets IEC 60906- 1 and all electrical appliances produced must comply with the new standards.

18. Telephone code and domain name Botswana

Country dialing code: +55
Geographic first level domain name: .br

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or have something interesting to tell about Brazil . WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and educational for visitors to our site "Across the planet step by step" and for all travel lovers.

About the country.

Before I go on any trip, I spend a long time preparing the route, thinking through every detail: how to go, where to stop and, most importantly, what to see.

Everything related to each country on the route and every interesting place or attraction in it is viewed. I definitely look at the reports of other people who have visited these places and countries posted on other sites, or published in various guidebooks.

Based on all these materials, I compile my own guide to the country, its attractions and route, which I take with me on the road.
Therefore, when I come to this or that place, I always know why I am going to this place and what I want to see there.

So I now have my own, personal “Wikipedia” for Russia (USSR), the places where I have been and traveled, and most countries of the world. So that people who want to repeat my route, if they like it, do not have to waste time on the work that I did, when describing my route I will briefly provide this general information about the countries, cities and places that I visited. If the information in this section is not of interest to you, just skip it.
General information.
Brazil is the largest country in South America, occupying almost half the continent, the fifth largest country in the world after Russia, China, Canada and the United States of America.

In the north it borders with Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, in the south - with Uruguay, in the west - with Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, in the northwest - with Colombia. In the north and east it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

A brief history of the state of Brazil.
The territories of the New World, present-day Brazil, were discovered by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral on April 24, 1500. Annexed to Portugal by the navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral, they were named by him the Land of the True Cross (Terra do Vera Cruz), then these territories became known as the Land of the Holy Cross (Terra do Santa Cruz).

Later, this country was given the name Terra do Brasil. It is believed that this name is associated with the discovery of pau-brasil trees on the coast (pau-brasil - brazil tree), the wood of which began to be exported in large quantities to Europe. The Portuguese believed that they had found a place where Arab traders took the so-called brazil (from the Portuguese word brasa - “heat”, “hot coals”) - valuable red wood, which came to Europe from the 12th century and was used for making paints, as well as for the manufacture of furniture and musical instruments.

Since 1533, active Portuguese colonization of Brazil began and over the next three centuries this territory was inhabited by the Portuguese and became an important exporter, first of ornamental wood, then of sugar cane, coffee and, finally, gold.

In 1549, the Portuguese possessions in Brazil were directly subject to the King of Portugal. The captain-general, whose residence was in Salvador, became the viceroy of the Portuguese king.

The main source of labor was slaves: first, Indians, and after 1570, imported Africans. In 1574, a decree was passed prohibiting the conversion of local Indians into slaves, which led to the massive importation of black slaves from Africa. In 1640, the first Viceroy of Brazil was appointed Marquis de Montalvão. 1763 - Rio de Janeiro becomes the capital of Brazil.

In 1806, the Portuguese king João VI fled to Brazil from Napoleon. After his father's return to Portugal in 1821, his son Pedro remained in Brazil as regent, and on September 7, 1822, he declared independence from the mother country and declared himself Emperor of the Brazilian Empire under the name Pedro I. He was succeeded by his son, Pedro II, who ruled until 1889, when a republic was proclaimed (the official name is the “Republic of the United States of Brazil”). The year before, in 1888, slavery was abolished in Brazil. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Brazil attracted more than 5 million European and Japanese immigrants.

In 1930-1934 and in 1937-1945, the Vargas dictatorship.

In 1964, a military coup was carried out in the country, as a result of which Marshal Castelo Branco came to power. This was the third dictatorship in the history of Brazil. It existed until 1985.
In 1999, the country was gripped by a financial crisis.

2006, May 11-16 - a wave of violence in Sao Paulo. Clashes between criminal gangs and police led to the death of 150 people, including 40 police officers. The rebels (First Capital Team) set buses on fire, attacked banks and police stations, and staged shootouts at metro stations

Political structure.
According to the form of government, Brazil is a presidential republic, the head of the executive branch is the president, who is elected for a term of 4 years with the right of subsequent re-election.

The highest legislative body is the National Congress, consisting of two chambers: the federal Senate (81 seats) and the Chamber of Deputies (513 seats).
The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Federal Court, which is responsible for the correct interpretation and application of the Brazilian Constitution.

Geography.
The country's area is 8,511,965 km2.
The greatest length from north to south is 4320 km, from east to west 4328 km. It borders French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay. The length of the land borders is about 16 thousand km.
It is washed from the east by the Atlantic Ocean, several islands of which also belong to Brazil. The length of the coastline is 7.4 thousand km.

The geography and climate of Brazil are determined by the following main factors:
- two main regions of the country - the basin of the largest and deepest river in the world - the Amazon (I was not able to visit. A separate event) and the vast Brazilian plateau (I drove along and across).
- the proximity of the country to the equator.
The main rivers of Brazil are the Amazon, To Cantins and São Francisco. The Amazon is navigable for large ocean-going ships for more than 3,500 km. Important rivers are also the Madeira, Tapajos, Rio Negro, Parnaiba, and Uruguay.

The Amazon basin occupies more than one third of the territory. Most of the basin is occupied by swamps and floodplains, as well as dense jungle.

The plateau occupies most of the southeastern half of the country. Its height is from 300 to 900 m, in many places it is crossed by river valleys and low mountain ranges. In the north of the Amazon Basin there is a mountain range - the Guiana Highlands - consisting of Sierra Tumucumaque (height up to 850 m), Sierra Acari (up to 600 m) and Sierra Parima (up to 1500 m). On the border with Venezuela is the highest point in Brazil - Mount Pico da Neblina (3014 m).

Population.
Population - 198.7 million (2009 data, 6th place in the world).
Average life expectancy is 69 years for men, 78 years for women.
Ethno-racial composition - whites 53.7%, mulattoes 38.5%, blacks 6.2%, others (including Japanese, Arabs, Indians, etc.) 1.6% (according to the 2000 census).

In the north of the state of Brazil, in the impenetrable jungle of the Amazon - the territory of the Indians. The country is home to 216 officially registered indigenous tribes, numbering about 360 thousand people and speaking 170 languages and dialects. More than 50 of these tribes are considered uncontacted - their existence is known only from aerial photographs and traces of their presence found in the jungle. Here, those who wish are given the opportunity to travel back in time several thousand years ago and live in the era of the primitive communal formation of human society.
Climate.
Summer is hot and humid (December - February). Moreover, the summer of 2010 was a record high temperature. The average monthly temperature ranges from 20 to 35 °C.

In winter (July - August) it is dry and relatively cool. On the high eastern plateaus, average temperatures can drop to 10-12 °C. Even frosts are possible.
The western Amazon has an equatorial humid climate (precipitation 2000-3000 mm per year); in the east of the Amazon and the adjacent gentle slopes of the Guiana and Brazilian plateaus - subequatorial with a dry period of up to 3-4 months. On the east coast, the climate is tropical trade wind, hot and humid, with a short dry season. In the south of the plateau there is a constantly humid climate, tropical on the Paraná plateau and subtropical in the elevated eastern regions.

Language.
Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in Latin America.
The language used is Brazilian Portuguese (the official and most widely spoken), and Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, English and Amerindian languages are also used.

Religion.
The majority of the population is Catholics - 73.6%, Protestants - 15.4%, Spiritualists 1.3%, Bantu/Voodoo 0.3%, others 2%, atheists 7.4% (2000 census).
There are approximately 900,000 Mormon followers and approximately 680,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.
There are approximately 28,000 Muslims, which is 0.015% of the total population.

Money.
Currency: Brazilian real. Exchange rate at the time of our stay: 1 real - 16 rubles; 1 US dollar - 1.8 reais. There are many exchangers and ATMs. Cards are accepted for payment in major cities.

Time.
The country is located in four time zones. Time - Sao Paulo, Rio, is 7 hours behind Moscow in winter and 6 hours in summer.
Useful phone numbers:
Country code +55. Some city codes: Brasilia (61), Rio de Janeiro (21), Manaus (92), Salvador (71), Sao Paulo (11).
Fire protection: 1-93;
Police: 1-90.

Transport.
The main transport routes within the country are roads. The road system is quite developed and complex. All roads are of good quality, regardless of their rank. The throughput is very high and, accordingly, the movement speed is high. However, in some areas, during tropical rainfall, roads become difficult and dangerous.

Rail transport in Brazil is used little and mainly for the transport of goods. There are only a few active passenger railways, the longest being between the cities of Belo Horizonte and Vitoria.

Maritime transport has traditionally been very important in Brazil, although nowadays it is also used almost exclusively for the transport of goods. Almost all major cities along the Brazilian coast are also important trading ports. Also important is river transport, especially in the Amazon, where it is the main means of transport. In total, Brazil has about 50 thousand km of waterways.
Air transport is developing rapidly. The leaders in transportation in Brazil are Vasp and Transbrasil. Brazil has 3,277 airports (1999), but almost all international flights go to Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo or Galeano International Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Capital: Brasilia (not visited).
The capital of Brazil is the city of Brasilia. The history of the creation of this capital is interesting.
This is something like Astana in Kazakhstan, that is, it was built specifically as a capital, in a place designated for it, on the shore of an artificial reservoir.
Since the first organized revolt against Portuguese rule at the end of the 18th century, there had been a desire to build a new capital in Brazil. Politicians believed that moving the capital from Rio de Janeiro inland would serve as an impetus for the development of the vast interior regions of the country and had been planning to build their new capital for a long time, already since 1822, when Brazil gained independence.

The country's new Constitution of 1891 stipulated that 14,000 square kilometers of savanna should be allocated on the Brazilian Plateau. There, about 1,000 kilometers from the coast, it was planned to build a new capital. At the same time, José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (Brazilian statesman) proposed calling the future capital Brasilia - as cartographers already called the entire country in the 17th century.

However, over the next 65 years nothing was done.
In 1955, presidential candidate Juscelino Kubitschek vowed that, if elected, the new capital would become a reality before his five-year presidential term expired.
In April 1956, Kubizek was elected president.
A few months earlier, the government announced a competition for the best plan for the new capital, in which architects, engineers and urban planners from Brazil were invited to take part. Over the course of several months, 26 candidates submitted their ideas for the ideal capital.

In March 1957, an international jury announced the winner - urban planner Lucio Costa. Unlike the other candidates' plans, Costa's plan consisted of just a few sketches and pages of handwritten text - an entire city in an envelope of brownish paper. He asked the jury to forgive him for such a sketchy sketch and added that if it did not fit, then it would be easy to destroy it, without wasting either his or anyone else’s time. However, the jury liked his project and decided that the plan was "clear and simple in nature." Three years later, a 60,000-strong army of builders erected a well-equipped city, which became the capital of this largest state in South America. The city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique object of human creativity.

What to see in Brazil.
Why do people go to Brazil?

Today, Brazil is one of the most developed countries on the continent with a very diverse, often exotic nature, almost 8 thousand km. picturesque beaches, friendly and cheerful people.

Brazil has all the conditions for a wide variety of types of recreation, but, of course, the Amazon jungle and the pampas of the south attract the most attention.

Brazil is home to the largest waterfall in the world - Iguazu (shared with Argentina), as well as Brazilian football and the Maracanã stadium, mulatto women, Brazilian TV series, the largest city in the world - Sao Paulo, bustling Rio with its famous Carnival, Sugarloaf, the statue of Christ on Corcovado and the beaches of Copacobana (see photo albums).

Well, and of course, Brazil itself, its diverse nature and special people, unlike others. This is a special country, unlike all other parts and countries of the world.

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BRAZIL

(Federal Republic of Brazil)

Geographical position. Brazil is the largest country in Latin America by territory and the fifth largest in the world. Brazil borders: in the north with Guyana, Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana; in the northwest with Colombia; in the west with Peru and Bolivia; in the southwest with Paraguay and Argentina; in the south with Uruguay. In the east, Brazil is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Square. The territory of Brazil covers 8,511,996 square meters. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the country is the city of Brazil. Largest cities: Sao Paulo (16,000 thousand people), Rio de Janeiro (6,500 thousand people), Salvador (2,200 thousand people), Belo Horizonte (2,100 thousand people), Brazil (1,700 thousand people), Recife (1,400 thousand people), Curitiba (1,300 thousand people), Porto Alegre (1,300 thousand people). Belem (1,200 thousand people) , Manaus (1,100 thousand people), Fortaleza (1,000 people).

Political system

Brazil is a republic. The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is the National Congress, consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Relief. The predominant form of the terrain is plateaus (58% of the country's territory), the largest of which are the Guiana, Brazilian (divided in turn into the Atlantic, Central, Southern, Rio Grande do Sul plateaus). Among the flat areas (41% of the territory) the Amazon and Atlantic lowlands stand out. The prevailing altitudes of Brazil range from 200 to 1,200 m above sea level. Near the Venezuelan border is Brazil's highest mountain, Peak Neblina (3,014 m).

Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains significant reserves of iron ore, manganese, nickel, uranium, bauxite, phosphorites, tin, gold, platinum, and oil.

Climate. Most of the country's territory is characterized by average annual temperatures above 20°C. This is due to Brazil's proximity to the equator and the low elevation of the terrain. Average temperature in Brasilia in January: +18°C, +27°C, in July +13°C, +26°C; in Rio de Janeiro in January +13°C, +30°C, in July +18°C, +25°C.

It is customary to distinguish 6 climatic zones in Brazil: equatorial, tropical, tropical highland, tropical Atlantic, semi-arid, subtropical. The Amazon region receives the highest amount of precipitation - up to 2,000 mm per year. In areas with a semi-arid climate, annual precipitation does not exceed 800 mm. In general, the Brazilian tropical regions are characterized by dry winters and rainy summers.

Inland waters. The country's largest rivers originate from the heights of the Brazilian and Guiana plateaus and the Andes mountain ranges: the Amazon, La Plata, San Francisco, and Tocantins. The Amazon flows through Brazil for 3,615 km. It is the second longest river in the world and the first in the world in terms of water reserves. Sao Francisco originates in the Central Plateau and has a length of 1,609 km.

Soils and vegetation. The Amazon basin is covered with selva - evergreen, humid, tropical jungle, which has not yet been sufficiently explored and is impassable. Tropical forests dominate the rest of the country.

Animal world. The Brazilian fauna is characterized by puma, jaguar, ocelot, fox, anteater, armadillo, deer, maned wolf, tapir, sloth, possum, crocodile, alligator, many birds, insects and reptiles.

Population and language

In terms of population, Brazil ranks sixth in the world. The population density is about 18 inhabitants per 1 sq. km. The bulk of the population is concentrated in cities (about 57%) and along the Atlantic coast. About half of the country's industrial population lives in Sao Paulo. Ethnic groups: in the formation of the Brazilian nation, three races played the main role: red-skinned natives, hundreds of multilingual Indian tribes, until the 16th century. representing a single race; European colonialists, who came mainly from Portugal, and Africans. In the first years of the 20th century. there was active immigration from Japan. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Brazilian Portuguese has no dialects. In addition to the national one, the population of Brazil speaks about 180 different Indian languages.

Religion

About 90% of the country's population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, the rest are Protestants: Pentecostals, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, and Episcopalians. Brazil has a fairly large number of citizens who officially profess occult religions. The country also has small communities of Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists.

Brief historical sketch

The first Europeans in Brazil were the Portuguese, who arrived here in the last decades of the 15th century. After the “official” discovery of the territories of the future Brazil by Pedro Alvares Cabral took place in 1500, the border proclaimed on paper became the actual border of the Brazil-Portuguese part of the colonies. The development of the colony began with the construction of fortified villages of San Vicente, in the northeast of the country (1532), Salvador, which soon became the “city of the governor general” (1549). In the middle of the 16th century. The government considered it necessary to establish captainias - administrative districts - for more convenient management. There were fourteen captains in total. The system of administrative districts-capitals largely predetermined the future administrative-territorial structure of the state of Brazil. Until the end of the 16th century. the new colonies actively developed economically. The beginning was laid for the cultivation of sugar cane and the production of sugar with its further transportation to the European market.

After the death of King Sebastian of Portugal in 1578 and the accession to the throne in Lisbon of the Spanish King Philip II, both kingdoms were united, and the boundaries between the colonial possessions of the two countries ceased to exist as such. From 1580 to 1640 - the period of the unification of the two kingdoms - expeditions were organized to collect Indian slaves. In 1640 the Portuguese regained their political sovereignty. Moreover, the Portuguese refused to leave the new lands that lay outside the boundaries allocated to them under the Treaty of Tordesillas. Since 1690, the mining of gold and diamonds has become the new leading stimulus for economic development. Another important factor in the formation of the Brazilian state was the tropical climate, favorable for growing coffee. In 1821, King João VI left a son in Rio de Janeiro with the title of viceroy and regent. On September 7, 1822, the heir to the throne was proclaimed emperor of independent Brazil and crowned on December 1 under the name of Emperor Pedro I. The first attempts to secede from Portugal were noted at the beginning of the 18th century. Thanks to the efforts of Pedro I (1822-1831), Brazil and Portugal, whose throne he inherited after the death of his father, adopted constitutional provisions that were advanced for their time. Pedro II (1831-1889) remained in the memory of Brazilians as an enlightening monarch. In 1888, a final ban was imposed on the slave trade and the use of slave labor (in the absence of the king, the law, later called the “Golden Law,” was signed by Princess Isabel). Social institutions developed and large-scale measures were taken in the field of health protection. The authority of the monarch among the common people and in secular society ensured over time a bloodless transition from absolutism to a republic. The constitutional monarchy was replaced by presidential rule. The empire turned into a federal republic. The main government body of Brazil was the Congress, consisting of two chambers - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The main judicial body is the Supreme Federal Court.

The consequences of the First World War also affected life in Brazil. Due to the global financial and economic crisis, when coffee prices fell, a crisis occurred in the economic and political life of the country. The presidential form of government did not meet the requirements of the moment, and a dictatorship was established in Brazil. Congress was dissolved and Getulio Vargas became head of state. The regime led by Getulio Vargas lasted 15 years. In 1942, Brazil declared war on the countries of the Hitlerite coalition, and an expeditionary force of the Brazilian army was sent to Europe. 25 thousand Brazilian soldiers fought in Italy as part of the 5th American Army. At the end of the war, the Brazilians elected a new president of the republic. It became Enrique Gaspar Dutre. In 1951, J. Vargas was elected again. His reign ended tragically: unable to withstand the intensity of political passions, Vargas committed suicide in 1954, before the end of his presidential term. From 1956 to 1961 Juscelino Kubitschek was the President of Brazil. From 1964 to 1985 Brazil was ruled by military presidents. Civilian presidents were elected first by the College (January 1985) and then by direct vote of the electorate (November). Brazil once experienced presidential impeachment proceedings. This happened to Fernando Collor di Mello, accused in 1992 of corruption. In 1994, Fernanda Henrique Cordozo took over as president of the republic.

Brief Economic Sketch

Brazil is an industrial-agrarian country, the largest in terms of economic potential in South America. Extraction of iron and manganese ores, non-ferrous metal ores, including niobium, beryllium, tantalum, bauxite, oil, coal, etc. Ferrous and non-ferrous (smelting of aluminum, copper, nickel, etc.) metallurgy. Mechanical engineering (aircraft and shipbuilding, agricultural, electronic), military, oil refining, chemical and petrochemical, cement, pulp and paper, textile (especially cotton) and food (sugar, oil, meat, tobacco) industries. Main commercial crops: coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, bananas, soybeans, sisal. Pasture cattle breeding, meat and wool sheep breeding. Sea and river fishing. In the forests there is the harvesting of coniferous wood, the collection of hevea juice, carnauba wax, and Brazil nuts. Export: finished products and semi-finished products of heavy and light industry, coffee, iron ore, soybeans, tobacco, sugar.

The monetary unit is the real.

Brief sketch of culture

Art and architecture. The style of old Brazilian architecture was formed under the influence of examples of Portuguese religious and secular architecture. Most of the monuments from the era of the first decades of colonization have been preserved in the ancient city of Ore Preto, the former capital of the province of Minas Gerais. The historical quarters of this city have been carefully restored and are now protected not only as a national treasure of Brazil, but also as a monument of world significance, included in the UNESCO list. The traditions of modern architecture in Brazil were laid in the 19th century. and were strongly influenced by French architects. The largest example of modern Brazilian architecture is the country's capital, the city of Brasilia. The city master plan was designed by the architect Luisio Costa. The structures of the main administrative buildings were created according to the designs of Oscar Niemeyer. The most famous are: Itamaraty Palace (Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the cathedral, etc. Another characteristic feature in modern Brazilian architecture is the special role of the landscape in creating a single architectural and natural complex. In Brazil, a whole school of landscape painters was formed, headed by Burle Marx. The culture of the natives who inhabited and inhabit Brazil was developed especially in sculpture and ceramics. There are four main branches of the Aboriginal sculptural tradition. One of them developed on the island of Marajo, at the mouth of the Amazon River, and is represented primarily by skillfully made vases. The other, preserved in the Santarem area, is represented by funeral urns, which are decorated with figures of fantastic animals and people.

Music. The main trend in art, as well as the main event in the cultural life of Brazil, is carnival. This is an art form that incorporates several directions at once: music, dance, singing. The historical roots of the carnival go back to the traditions of Greco-Roman pagan culture. The largest and most famous carnival today is the one in Rio de Janeiro. The main event of the carnival in Rio is the procession of samba dancers. For Brazilians, dancing is not limited to carnival time. There is a wide variety of dances, among which the most famous are caboclincos and cayapos (states of Pernambuco and Ala Goas), cavalcade (state of Goias) and capochera. Caboclincos and Kayapos are half dances and half dramas that tell the story of the war between the Indians and the Portuguese colonists. The Cavalcade is a theatrical performance lasting three days, recreating episodes of the struggle of the Christian population of the Iberian Peninsula with the Moors and historically dating back to the knightly tournaments of the Middle Ages. Kapojera is a ritualized form of wrestling that was common in Angola: the dance is performed accompanied by a small musical group; During the dance, wrestlers can strike each other with their feet and heads. Another performance with a Christmas theme - Pastoris - results in a real procession before midnight mass. Among the participants in the procession there are always such characters as the Teacher, Angel, Gypsy, Old Comedian, “Northern Star”, “Southern Cross”. Ranchos are love stories set to music and performed by dancers and singers to a marching rhythm.