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| | Need to Know | Capital City Brasilia | | Tipping 10-15% | | Electricity 110 V or 120 V | | Weights and Measurements Metric Sysytem |
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People & Language
Three quarters of Brazilians live in urban areas and along the coastal strip. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the two largest cities. Most Brazilians are of European ancestry – they came from Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese, blacks and Indians intermarried and the three races saw a complete mix over the years. This is one country where this kind of blending has taken place more than in any part of the world.
The number of Indians in Brazil is around 200,000. Of the several hundred tribes, most are concentrated in the Amazon region. In this fast changing world, these tribes carry an ongoing struggle to retain their traditions and ethnic lifestyles
Brazil is one of the least densely populated countries in the world (15 people per sq km).
In this developing country 40 million people are malnourished, 25 million live in Favelas (shantytowns), 12 million children are abandoned and more than 7 million children between the ages 7 and 14 don’t attend school. Sanitation, decent housing and clean water are still a dream for over 60 million Brazilians.
Brazilian Portuguese is commonly spoken – within the country, dialects and accents vary according to regions. To get by in Brazil, a little knowledge of Spanish would be a great help. Be prepared for a good deal of animated conversation here. The thumb up sign is a greeting or could mean ‘thank you’. You might find someone wagging a finger authoritatively right under your nose – this is a ‘No!’ – but it’s not meant to threaten you.
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Religion
Roman Catholicism, local religions like Macomba and Candomble, Protestantism and Buddhism are practiced. There are some 150,000 Jews as well.
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Food
Food of course has flavors from the Indians, Africans and Portuguese as a result of the blending of these races through marriage. The staple diet is white rice, black beans, manioc flour along with beef, chicken and fish. This could make up a fixed meal. These meals are inexpensive and filling. Don’t miss the fruit juices – they are heavenly!
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Culture & Crafts
Brazilian culture has been influenced greatly by the Portuguese, Indians, Africans, Europeans and settlers from the Middle East and Asia. Most legends have been shaped by Indian culture – so have the dances and music. In the northeast, the influence of Africa is prominent in most creative arts – Copoeira (Martial art from Africa) is extremely popular today. Music will follow you wherever you go…. the samba of Rio, the Sertanejo love songs, the Repentistas of the northeast – all this and more is sure to keep your spirits up. There is an immense regional spread of folk music and it is interesting to hear strains of folk music in the urban popular music of today. Brazilians express themselves through dance and music and both range from simple rural to state of the art commercial
Intricate lace making in Ceara, leatherwork and strange pottery in Amazonia are Brazil’s famed crafts. Bone and soapstone carvings, tiles and other ceramic work and Brazilian cigars are a treat, and you could even bring home excellent textile material and hammocks.
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 | Another year gone by and its time to make new resolutions and celebrate the New Year. All around the world ... | | | | | |
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Travel Tools
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