 |
dancing lessons from god |
Home
|
unusual travel arrangements for independent travellers
|
|
BrazilBrazil{{otheruses5|the country in South America}} The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' (''República Federativa do Brasil'' in Portuguese language|Portuguese) is the largest and List of countries by population|most populous country in Latin America, and fifth largest in the world. Spanning a vast area between central South America and the Atlantic Ocean, it is the easternmost country of the Americas and it borders Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana — every South American nation except for Ecuador and Chile. Named after brazilwood, a local tree, Brazil is home to both extensive agriculture|agricultural lands and rain forests. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese_language|Portuguese. {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+<big><big>'''República Federativa do Brasil'''</big></big> |- | style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan=2 | {| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |- | align="center" width="140px" | image:Brazil_flag_large.png|125px| | align="center" width="190px" | Image:Brasaorepublica.png|125px| |- | align="center" width="140px" | (Flag of Brazil|In Detail) | align="center" width="140px" | (Coat of Arms of Brazil|Full size) |} |- | align="center" colspan=2 | <small>''National motto: Order and Progress<br>(Portuguese language|Portuguese: Ordem e Progresso)''</small> |- | align=center colspan=2 | image:LocationBrazil.png |- | '''Official Language''' || Portuguese language|Portuguese |- | '''Minority languages|Minority Languages''' | Indigenous and Immigrant Languages, please see below |- | '''Capital''' || Brasília |- | '''Largest City''' || São Paulo (city)|São Paulo |- | '''President of Brazil|President''' || Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |- | '''Area'''<br> - Total <br /> - % water | List of countries by area|Ranked 5th <br> 1 E12 m2|8,514,876.60 km² <br /> 0.65% |- | '''Population'''<br /> - Total (2004)<br /> - Population density|Density | List of countries by population|Ranked 5th<br /> 184,101,109<br /> 22/km² |- | '''Independence'''<br /> - Declared:<br /> - Recognised: | From Portugal<br />7 September 1822<br />29 August 1825 |- | '''Gross domestic product|GDP''' (2002) <br/> - Total <br/> - GDP/head | List of countries by GDP (PPP)|Ranked 10th <br />$1.376 trillion (PPP) <br /> $7,800 (PPP) |- | '''Currency''' || Real %28currency%29|Real |- | '''Time zone''' | Coordinated Universal Time|UTC -2 to -5 |- | '''National anthem''' || ''Hino Nacional Brasileiro'' |- | '''National bird''' || Rufous-bellied thrush |- | '''Continent''' | South America |- | '''Top-level domain|Internet TLD''' || .br |- | '''List of country calling codes|Calling Code''' | 55 |} == History == ''Main article: History of Brazil'' Brazil had been inhabited for at least 6,000 years by semi-nomadic populations when the first Portugal|Portuguese explorers, led by Pedro Álvares Cabral disembarked in 1500. Over the next three centuries it was re-settled by the Portuguese and exploited mainly for brazilwood at first, and later for sugarcane agriculture. Work in the colony was based on slavery. In 1808 King John VI of Portugal|João VI of Portugal, fleeing from Napoleon, relocated to Brazil with the royal family, nobles and government. Though they returned in 1821, the interlude led to the opening of commercial ports to England — at the time isolated from most European ports by Napoleon — and the "elevation" of Brazil to the status of a Kingdom united to Portugal's Crown. Then prince-regent Peter I of Brazil|Dom Pedro I declared independence on 7 September 1822, establishing the independent Empire of Brazil. This lasted until the next emperor, Pedro II of Brazil|Dom Pedro II was deposed and a federation|federal republic was established on 15 November 1889. In the late 19th century|19th and early 20th century|20th centuries, Brazil attracted over 5 million European and Japanese people|Japanese immigrants. That period also saw Brazil industrialise and further occupy its interior. Brazilian democracy was replaced by dictatorship three times — 1930–1934 and 1937–1945 under Getúlio Vargas, and 1964–1985 under a succession of generals appointed by the military. == Politics == ''Main article: Politics of Brazil'' The 1988 constitution grants broad powers to the federal government, of which the Presidents of Brazil|president and vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms. The president has extensive executive powers and is both head of state and head of government and he also appoints the cabinet (government)|cabinet. The Brazilian legislature, the bicameral National Congress or ''Congresso Nacional'', consists of the Federal Senate or ''Senado Federal'' of 81 seats, of which three members from each state or federal district are elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period. Beside the Senate there is the Chamber of Deputies or ''Câmara dos Deputados'' of 513 seats, whose members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms. See also: * Cangaço (criminal hinterland bands in the first years of the 20th century) * Café com leite (reference to Brazil's domination by the "coffee oligarchs" in the first years of the XX century) * Coronelismo (reference to machine politics in the first years of the 20th century, still present on a lesser scale in modern days) * Brazilian Integralism|Integralismo (influential Brazilian fascist movement in the 1930s) == States == ''Main article: States of Brazil'' {{States of Brazil}} Brazil consists of 26 states (''estados'', singular ''estado'') and 1 federal district (''distrito federal''): Brazil and its 26 states and Federal District are divided by IBGE into 5 distinctive regions: North Region, Brazil|North, Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeast, Center-West Region, Brazil|Center-West, Southeast Region, Brazil|Southeast and South Region, Brazil|South (Regions of Brazil|Division by Regions). See also: *List of cities in Brazil (all cities and municipalities) *List of major cities in Brazil (metropolitan areas and major regional cities) == Geography == Image:Br-map.png|framed|Map of Brazil ''Main article: Geography of Brazil'' Brazil is characterized by the extensive low-lying Amazon Rainforest in the north, and a more open terrain of hills and (low) mountains to the south, home to most of Brazil's population and its agricultural base. Along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean are also found several mountain ranges, amongst which the highest peak is the Pico da Neblina at 3,014 m. Major rivers include the Amazon River|Amazon, the largest river in the world by volume, and considered by many specialists also the longest of the world; the Paraná River|Paraná and its major tributary, the Iguaçu River, where the impressive Iguaçu falls are located; the Rio Negro, Rio São Francisco|São Francisco, Xingu River|Xingu, Madeira river|Madeira and the Tapajós rivers. Situated along the equator, Brazil's climate is predominantly tropical climate|tropical, with little seasonal variation, though the subtropical south is more temperate and can occasionally experience frost and snow. precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation is abundant in the humid Amazon Basin, though more arid landscapes are found as well, in particular in the northeast. A number of islands in the Atlantic Ocean are part of Brazil: *Saint Peter and Paul Rocks *Rocas Atoll *Fernando de Noronha *Trindade and Martim Vaz See also: * National parks (Brazil) * List of Brazilian National Forests * List of mountains in Brazil == Economy == ''Main article: Economy of Brazil'' Possessing large and well-developed agriculture|agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Major export products include coffee, soybeans, iron ore, orange juice, steel and airplanes. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a USD 41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. In January 1999, the Brazilian Central Bank announced that the Real %28currency%29|Real would no longer be pegged to the US dollar. This devaluation helped moderate the downturn in economic growth in 1999 that investors had expressed concerns about over the summer of 1998, and the country posted moderate Gross Domestic Product|GDP growth. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001 — to less than 2% — because of a slowdown in major markets, the hiking of interest rates by the Central Bank to combat inflationary pressures, and fears over the economic policies of the new government to be elected. Investor confidence was strong at the end of 2001, in part because of the strong recovery in the trade balance. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. After Lula_da_Silva|Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to power 1 January 2003, fears that his party would significantly change the economic policy subsided. The economy is growing again, and is expected to do so for the foreseeable future. == Demographics == ''Main article: Demographics of Brazil'' Brazil is populous along the coast, less in the interior. The inhabitants are very diverse with many races and cultures represented (see article above). == Culture == ''Main article: Culture of Brazil'' * List of Brazilians * Literature of Brazil * Music of Brazil * Cuisine of Brazil * Brazil Skyscrapers * Brazil Religions == Sports == ''Main Article: Sports in Brazil'' * Brazil national football team * Brazilian Football League Teams Some fight sports with Brazilian origins have become popular around the world: * Capoeira * Vale tudo * Brazilian jiu-jitsu == Miscellaneous topics == * Communications in Brazil * Transportation in Brazil * Military of Brazil * Foreign relations of Brazil * Public holidays in Brazil ''Much of the material in these articles comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.'' == External links == {{commons|Brasil}} ===Government, Administration, Economy & Politics=== * [http://www.brasil.gov.br Brasil.gov.br] - Official governmental portal (in Portuguese) * [http://www.camara.gov.br Câmara dos Deputados] - Official Chamber of Deputies site (in Portuguese) * [http://www.senado.gov.br Senado Federal] - Official senatorial site (in Portuguese) * [http://www.planalto.gov.br Presidência da República] - Official presidential site (in Portuguese) * [http://www.fomezero.gov.br Fome Zero] - Official site of Fome Zero (zero hunger) programme (in Portuguese) * [http://www.oecd.org/document/60/0,2340,en_2649_34571_34413308_1_1_1_1,00.html Economic Survey of Brazil 2005] * [http://www.mma.gov.br Ministério do Meio Ambiente] - Ministry of the Environment of Brazil (in Portuguese) * [http://www.bcb.gov.br Banco Central do Brasil] - Central Bank of Brazil (in Portuguese/English) ===Information, Media, Statistics=== * [http://www.brazilink.org Brazilink] - Selected and updated sources by experts (in English) * [http://www.bn.br/ National Library] (in Portuguese and English) * [http://www.ibge.gov.br/english/default.php IBGE] - Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (English, Español, Português) * [http://www.spcvb.com.br São Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau] (in Portuguese and English) * [http://jbonline.terra.com.br Jornal do Brasil] - Brazilian newspaper (in Portuguese) * [http://www.mapafacil.com.br Mapa Fácil] - Online maps of more than 5000 Brazilian cities (in Portuguese) * [http://www.brasilpost.com.br Brasil-Post] (in German) * [http://www.oeco.com.br O Eco] - Journalistic website on the environmental issues of Brazil (in Portuguese) ===Society, Social Movements, etc.=== *[http://www.mst.org.br Movimento dos trabalhadores rurais sem terra] ===Art, Cooking, Culture, History, Travel=== *[http://www.roadjunky.com/brazil/guide_brazil.shtml Alternative Brazil Travel info] in English * [http://www.thebraziliansound.com The Brazilian Sound] Brazilian music & culture (in English) * [http://www.thowra.com/brasil.html Travelling in Brazil] (in English) * [http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/brazil.php Brazil Travel Guide] (in English) * [http://www.v-brazil.com Virtual Brazil] - Information about Brazilian culture, economy and tourism (in English) * [http://www.ceara.com.br Ceará and Fortaleza tourism information] (in Portuguese) * [http://www.rioforpartiers.com/ Rio For Partiers] - Award winning travel guide to Rio de Janeiro and [http://www.salvadorforpartiers.com/ Salvador] * [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Brazil Ethnologue Languages of the World] - Languages of Brazil * [http://www.travel-impressions.de/brazil/mix/baiana.htm Photos of People and Sights] * [http://www.maria-brazil.org Maria-Brazil] - The first Brazilian pop-culture web site produced in the USA. Note: The section Maria's Cookbook has no equal on the whole World Wide Web as of March 2005 (site in English) *[http://www.colonialvoyage.com/ Dutch Portuguese Colonial History]Dutch Portuguese Colonial History: history of the Portuguese and the Dutch in Ceylon, India, Malacca, Bengal, Formosa, Africa, Brazil. Language Heritage, lists of remains, maps. *[http://www.easyportuguese.com EasyPortuguese]-- Learn the Portuguese spoken in Brazil. {{South_America}} Category:South American countries Category:Brazil ar:برازيل bg:Бразилия bn:ব্রাজিল bs:Brazil ca:Brasil cs:Brazílie cy:Brasil da:Brasilien de:Brasilien et:Brasiilia el:Βραζιλία es:Brasil eo:Brazilo fr:Brésil ga:An Bhrasaíl gl:Brasil ko:브라질 ht:Brezil hi:ब्राज़ील hr:Brazil id:Brasil ia:Brasil is:Brasilía it:Brasile he:ברזיל la:Brasilia lv:Brazīlija lt:Brazilija li:Braziel hu:Brazília ms:Brazil nl:Brazilië nds:Brasilien ja:ブラジル no:Brasil oc:Brasil pl:Brazylia pt:Brasil ro:Brazilia rm:Brasil qu:Brasil ru:Бразилия scn:Brasili simple:Brazil sk:Brazília sl:Brazilija sr:Бразил fi:Brasilia sv:Brasilien tl:Brazil tr:Brezilya uk:Бразилія yi:בראַזיליע zh:巴西 First page | Prev | Next | Last page | This article on Brazil is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Brazil". if you like cool drinks you may be interested in:
Hope you enjoyed reading about Brazil |
|
