Article 22108 of soc.culture.brazil:
From: rick@rio.moneng.mei.com (Rick Bronson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.brazil,soc.answers,news.answers
Subject: Soc.Culture.Brazil Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Date: 20 Nov 1994 18:14:05 GMT
Message-ID: <RICK.94Nov20121405@rio.moneng.mei.com>
Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked
Questions (and their answers) about the country Brazil.
It should be read by anyone who wishes to post to the
soc.culture.brazil newsgroup.
Archive-name: Brazil-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Version: 1.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
for
soc.culture.brazil
Version 1.4 Nov 19, 1994
Table of Contents
1.0 Overview
2.0 General Information
2.1 About Brazil
2.2 About things Brazilian in other countries
3.0 Culture and Language
4.0 Travel and Tourism
5.0 Internet
******************************* 1.0 Overview *******************************
This is the FAQ for soc.culture.brazil, it has the following goals.
A. Answer the most common questions concerning things pertaining to
soc.culture.brazil, the country Brazil and things Brazilian.
B. Keep it's size to something around 2000 lines max. This FAQ
will easily reach the maximum and if it gets much greater than
that not many people will want to wade through it so I think
it is in our best interest to keep it somewhat concise. Instead
of including large verbose items we should reference where the
reader can obtain them on the Internet.
About soc.culture.brazil
The soc.culture.brazil newsgroup was established in
It is devoted to the discussion of all aspects of Brazil culture.
There are many other related newsgroups. See section 5.0 for
a list of them. If your article is more appropriate for another
newsgroup, please post it there first -- you'll get the audience
you're looking for.
************************* 2.0 General Information **************************
***************************** 2.1 About Brazil *****************************
KEY FACTS
Official title: Federative Republic of Brazil
Ruling party: National Reconstruction Party (PRN)
Capital: Brasilia
Official languages: Portuguese
Currency: Real
Area: 8,511,965 sq km
Population: 147m (1989)
GDP per capita: $2,449 (1988)
GDP real growth: 3.6% (1989)
Trade balance: $14,390m (1989)
Foreign debt: $114.6bn (1989)
GEOGRAPHY:
Brazil occupies nearly half of the total area of South America. It has borders
with all the South American countries except for Chile and Ecuador. Its land
mass totals approximately 3,300,000 square miles, more than the continental
United States and slightly less than all the European countries together.
40% of the Brazilian land is occupied by the Amazon Rain Forest.
Brazil covers almost half of the South American continent and it is bordered to
the north, west and south by all South American countries except Chile and
Ecuador; to the east is the Atlantic. Brazil is topographically relatively
flat, and at no point do the highlands exceed 3000m (10,000ft). Over 60% of the
country is a plateau; the remainder consists of plains. The River Plate Basin
(the confluence of the Parana and Uruguay Rivers, both of which have their
sources in Brazil) in the far south is more varied, higher and less heavily
forested. North of the Amazon are the Guiana Highlands, partly forested, partly
stony desert. The Brazilian Highlands of the interior, between the Amazon and
the rivers of the south, form a vast tableland, the Mato Grosso, from which
rise mountains in the southwest, that form a steep protective barrier from the
coast called the Great Escarpment, breached by deeply cut river beds. The
population is concentrated in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Sao
Paulo and Parana. Sao Paulo has a population of over 10 million, while over 5
million people live in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil is composed of 26 states and 1 Federal District.
The capital is Brasilia.
There are five regions:
North: (States of Amazonas, Para, Roraima, Acre, Amapa, Tocantins and
Rondonia).
Northeast: (States of Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio
Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao)
Central West: (States of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Goias)
Southeast: (States of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo,
and Sao Paulo)
South: (States of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul)
TOTAL AREA: 8,511,965 km2; land area: 8,456,510 km2; includes
Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade,
Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo
COMPARATIVE AREA: slightly smaller than the US
LAND BOUNDARIES: 14,691 km total; Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km,
Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,
Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
COASTLINE: 7,491 km
CONTINENTAL SHELF: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
EXCLUSIVE FISHING ZONE: 200 nm;
TERRITORIAL SEA: 200 nm
DISPUTES: short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west of
Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short
sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute (Arroyo de la
Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of
the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay); claims a Zone of Interest in Antarctica
CLIMATE: Mainly tropical and sub-tropical; particularly humid in Amazon region
and along the coast. Temperate on the southern coast and on the higher lands.
Rainy season in south from Nov-Mar, driest from Jun-Aug. Temperatures in Rio de
Janeiro: winter (Jun-Sep) 14-30 degrees C, summer (Dec-Mar) 20-39 degrees C.
ENVIRONMENT: recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost in south;
deforestation in Amazon basin; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo
Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries
with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
TERRAIN: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt
POPULATION DENSITY: 17 per sq km.
CAPITAL: Brasilia. Population: 1,567,709 (1985).
<<< GOVERNMENT >>>
LONG-FORM NAME: Federative Republic of Brazil
TYPE: federal republic
CAPITAL: Brasilia
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 26 states (estados, singular--estado), and 1 federal
district** (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa*, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara,
Distrito Federal**, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso
do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro,
Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima*, Santa Catarina,
Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins; note--the territories of Amapa and
Roraima became states on 5 October 1988.
INDEPENDENCE: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
CONSTITUTION: 5 October 1988
LEGAL SYSTEM: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
fixed dates:
1.1 New Year's Day, 21.4 Tiradentes Day, 1.5 Labour Day, 7.9
Independence Day, 12.10 Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, 2.11 All Souls
Day,15.11 Proclamation of the Republic, 25.12 Christmas
moveables:
Carnival (February, ocasionally begining March)
Easter ( note that Easter Monday is not holiday)
Corpus Christi
local
25.1 (in Sao Paulo), 20.1 ? (in Rio)
Note: It is government policy in Brazil for certain holidays to be taken on
Monday if those holidays fall during the week; however, the church wishes to
continue holding festivals on the traditional days. If plans are likely to be
affected by such a holiday it is advisable to check the situation with the
Information Office before travelling. Please note also that as four of the
traditional holidays are fixed by municipalities there may be some variation
from region to region.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH: president, vice president, Cabinet
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional)
consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or
Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados)
JUDICIAL BRANCH: Supreme Federal Tribunal
SUFFRAGE: voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70;
voluntary at age 70
FLAG: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue
celestial globe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for each state) arranged
in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white
equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION: Ambassador Marcilio Marques MOREIRA; Chancery
at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-2700;
there are Brazilian Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, and New York, and Consulates in Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco
;
US--Ambassador Richard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nocoes,
Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrto Federal (mailing address is APO Miami 34030);
telephone p55o (6) 321-7272; there are US Consulates General in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo, and Consulates in Porto Alere and Recife
Time
GMT -3 (except western states including towns of Campo Grande, Corumba, Cuiaba,
Manaus: GMT -4. Fernando de Noronha Islands: GMT -2. Acre: GMT -5.)
Working hours
Government and business
(Mon-Fri) 0900 - 1200; 1400 - 1800. Government departments usually 1100 - 1800.
N.B. In Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo there is no siesta break; in Brasilia
there is a three-hour siesta, 1200 - 1500.
Currency exchange: All banks and cambios exchange recognised
travellers cheques and foreign currency, but there is also a
flourishing black market trade in foreign currency which offers
about 20% above the official rate. This is strictly illegal in Brazil.
<<< COMMUNICATIONS >>>
RAILROADS: 29,694 km total; 25,268 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,339 km
1.600-meter gauge, 74 km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge,
13 km 0.760-meter gauge; 2,308 km electrified
HIGHWAYS: 1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel or
earth
INLAND WATERWAYS:: 50,000 km navigable
PIPELINES: crude oil, 2,000 km; refined products, 3,804 km; natural gas,
1,095 km
PORTS: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre,
Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos
MERCHANT MARINE: 271 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,855,708
GRT/9,909,097 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 68 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo,
12 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 56 petroleum, oils, and lubricants
(POL) tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 14 combination ore/oil,
82 bulk, 2 combination bulk
CIVIL AIR: 176 major transport aircraft
AIRPORTS: 3,774 total, 3,106 usable; 386 with permanent-surface runways;
2 with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,240-3,659 m; 503 with runways
1,220-2,439 m
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: good system; extensive radio relay facilities; 9.86 million
telephones; stations--1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151 shortwave; 3 coaxial
submarine cables 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations with total of 3
antennas; 64 domestic satellite stations
A 40 per cent tax is added to cost of all international communications.
Telephone Long-distance calls can be made from state telephone company offices,
post offices and hotels. Trunk dialling system linking all main cities. Public
telephone booths (orelhoes) operated by tokens, which can be bought from
newsagents, cafes etc. Dialling code for Brazil: IDD access code + 55 followed
by area code (Belo Horizonte 31, Brasilia 61, Rio de Janeiro 21, Sao Paulo 11)
followed by subscriber's number.
Telex and telegram
Country telex code: BR. Telex messages can be sent from main post offices
during business hours and from hotels at nights and weekends. Telegrams can
be sent over the phone or at post offices and hotels.
Telephone: The telecommunications
systems are state-owned. Full IDD services available for the whole country and
abroad. Country code: 55. Public telephones require metal discs called
'fichas', which can be obtained from cash desks or newspaper kiosks. All calls
are liable to a 20% tax. Fax: Facilities are available in the main post
offices of major cities and some 5-star hotels; because this technology is only
just being introduced it is advisable to check that this facility is offered at
your destination. Telex/telegram: International telegram and telex facilities
exist in many cities. Offices of Embratel in Rio de Janerio (Praca Maua 7) and
Sao Paulo. Rio's airport provides 24 hour telecommunication services. The
domestic telex service now covers the whole of the country. Post: Services are
reasonably reliable. Sending mail registered or franked will eliminate the risk
of having the stamps steamed off. Airmail service to Europe takes four to six days. Surface mail takes at least four weeks. Press: The
only English newspaper is The Brazil Herald in Rio. Also in Rio there is an
English Language publication, the Rio Visitor which gives tourist information.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies and
wavelengths: From time to time these change.
BBC:
MHz 17.76 15.18 9.915 6.005
Metres 16.89 19.76 30.26 49.96
Voice of America:
MHz 15.21 11.58 9.775 5.995
Metres 19.72 25.91 30.69 50.04
POSTAL SERVICE
Postal charges are high. PO Box (Caixa Postal) address and post code number
should be used when possible.
MEDIA
Press
Around 250 daily newspapers with a combined circulation of under 5m. Due to
distribution difficulties in such a large country there are no national
dailies. However, numerous regional papers are published. Main US and European
newspapers available in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brazil Herald
(circulation 18,000) incorporating Daily Post is only local English language
daily. Main papers are O Dia (261,653), Jornal do Brasil (170,151), O Globo
(266,569) and Jornal do Comercio (in Rio de Janeiro, 31,000) and O Estado de
Sao Paulo (222,173), Folha de Sao Paulo (283,048), Gazeta Mercantil (leading
business paper, 80,000), Jornal da Tarde (100,151), Diario Popular (90,000) and
Diario do Comercio e Industria (50,000). Numerous periodicals are also
available.
Broadcasting
Over 1,000 radio stations (including AM, FM, SW and Tropical Wave) and 127 TV
stations. Satellite connection with rest of world.
TIME: Brazil spans several time zones:
Brazilian Standard Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 in summer).
Amazon time zone (except Acre): GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 in summer).
Acre State: GMT - 4 (throughout year).
Embassies and Consulates in Brazil
British Embassy
Caixa Postal 07-0586
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Quadra 801
Conjunto K
70.408 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 225 2710.
Consulates in: Belem, Manaus, Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro,
Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande
and Santos.
Embassy of the United States of America
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Av. das Nacoes
Lote 3
70.403 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 321 7272.
************** 2.2 About things Brazilian in other countries ****************
2.1 Address and phone numbers of the Brazilian embassies and consulates
Embassy
3006 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington DC 20008
+1-202-745-2700, 2828
Consulates
Miami Los Angeles
2601 Bayshore Dr #800 8484 Wilshire Blvd #730/711
Miami, FL 33133 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
+1-305-285-6200 +1-213-651-2664, 5833, FAX 653-3903
Boston San Francisco
20 Park Plaza, Suite 810 300 Montgomery St #1600
Boston, Mass. San Francisco, CA 94104
617-542-4000 +1-415-981-8170
Chicago Puerto Rico
401 North Michigan Ave #3050 Av. Munoz Rivera, 268 8th Piso
Chicago, IL 60611 Oficina 804
312-464-0269, 0244 Hato Rey, Ruerto Rico 00910
+1-809-754-7983
Houston New York
13333 W Loop South #1100 630 Fifth Ave
Houston, TX 77027 Room 2720
+1-713-961-3063, 3064, 3065 New York, NY 10020
+1-212-757-3080
Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil and Brazilian
Information Office
32 Green Street
London W1Y 4AT
Tel: (071) 499 0877. Fax: (071) 493 5101.
Brochures and publicity material may be ordered via Country
Connect by keying *567# on ISTEL TravelGuide 999.
Brazilian Consulate General
6 St Alban's St
London SW1Y 4SG
Tel: (071) 930 9055. Opening hours: 1000-1600 Monday to Friday.
2.2 Where can I buy Brazilian food, music, and books, videotapes?
Brazilian newspapers and magazines?
Brazilian music:
telnet cdconnection.com
Brazil CD's, PO Box 382282, Cambridge, MA 02238-2282, +1-617524-5030,
drumpler.aol.com
The Music Planet, 6680 Alhambra Ave., #403, Martinez CA 94553,
+1-510-372-0556
Brazilian newspapers and magazines:
Brazil Review 141 Ne 3rd Ave Miami, Fl 33132 305-358-8822
Brazilian Courier Miami, FL 305-377-1223
Brazilian Times 70 Union Sq Somerville, Ma 02143 617-625-5559
Brazilian Voice 53 Johnston Ave Kearny, NJ 07032 201-955-1137
Folha do Brasil New York, NY 212-869-7022
Brazil Today, Box 1121, El Cerrito, CA 94530 510-223-5190
The Brasilians 15 W 46th St New York, NY 10036 212-382-1630 FAX 382-1632
News from Brazil, Box 42536, Los Angeles, CA 90050-0536 800-354-4953,
213-255-4953, 718-746-0169, 415-648-5966, 305-566-7467
Portugal Brazil News 212-228-2958
The Brazilian Music Review 708-292-4545
Brazil in Review 708-805-9025
The Brazilian Press 212-691-7759
The Samba Planet 510-372-0556, fax: 510-372-0575, EMail: jsierra@ix.netcom.com
Books and videotapes:
Luso Brazilian New York, NY
2.3 Addresses of Brazilian associations and organizations:
Brazilian Amercn Chmbr Commrce 80 Sw 8th St Miami, Fl 33130 305-579-9030
Brazilian American Society 2161 Peachtree Rd Ne Atlanta, Ga 30309 404-351-6791
Brazilian Amer C Of C Inc 22 W 48th St New York, Ny 10036 212-575-9030
Brazilian American Lang Inst 19 Mill St Lowell, Ma 01852 508-937-7545
Brazilian Cltrl Club Detroit 6556 Crabapple Dr Troy, Mi 48098 313-879-2303
Brazilian Cultural Foundation 120 Park Ave New York, Ny 10017 212-661-9860
Brazilian Government Trade 551 5th Ave New York, Ny 10176 212-867-3374
2.4 How can I send money to Brazil?
See BACC later.
2.5 Radio broadcasts that carry Brazilian music
Stations that carry "The Brazilian Hour" music program
STATION CITY STATE BROADCAST TIME
KBRW-AM Barrow AK Tue 8 PM
KAWC-FM Yuma AZ Mon 11 AM
WLRN-FM Miami FL Fri 7 PM
KIPO-FM Honolulu HI Sat 2 PM
KBSU-AM Boise ID Fri 11 AM
WSIU-FM Carbondale IL Sun Midnite
WGLT-FM Normal IL Tue 7 PM
WUSI-FM Olney IL Sun Midnite
WAMQ-FM Great Barrington MA Fri Midnite
WESM-FM Princess Anne MD Sun 4 PM
KCMW-FM Warrensburg MO Sun 9 AM
WPRL-FM Lorman MS Sat 6 PM
KIOS-FM Omaha NE Tue 1 PM
KRWG-FM Las Cruces NM Sat 1 PM
WAMC-FM Albany NY Fri Midnite
WCAN-FM Canajohare NY Fri Midnite
WAMK-FM Kingston NY Fri Midnite
WOSR-FM Middletown NY Fri Midnite
WCFE-FM Plattsburgh NY Fri 7 PM
WANC-FM Ticonderoga NY Fri Midnite
KMBH-FM Harlingen TX Sun 2 PM
KHID-FM McAllen TX Sun 2 PM
KUOW-FM Seattle WA Sun 10 PM
WYMS-FM Milwaukee WI Sat 7 PM
Address:
The Brazilian Hour
8484 Wilshire Blvd
Beverely Hills, CA 90211
ATTN: Sergio Mielniczenko
WWOZ 90.7 FM in New Orleans broadcasts "Tudo Bem", a two-hour program
of Brazilian music Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm Central time USA.
Katrina Geenen hosts the show, and her love and knowledge of the music
shows. She's a wonderful host with a lively personality. If you'd
like to know more, simply write:
WWOZ PO Box 51840 New Orleans, LA 70153
VOA transmitimos em portugues nas seguintes frequencias entre as 16:00
e 17:00 horas hora da costa oeste (Pacific Daylight Time):
17.740 kilohertz na faixa de 16 metros,
15.330 kHz em 19 m
11.680 kHz em 25 m
e 9.455 kHz em 31 metros.
KCRW does not have a show that features Brazilian music exclusively.
It does have a show that features Brazilian, Latin, African music
(among others). It's called Cafe-LA and it's on Saturday and Sunday,
11AM - 3PM. KCRW is 89.9 FM, Santa Monica, CA.
WRTI 90.1 FM in Philadelphia (Temple University jazz station) -
"Under One Sun" Thursdays, 10 p.m. - midnight, hosted by Ken Dossar.
The program features Brazilian music plus other African-influenced
musics such as Cuban music and Latin jazz.
Radio station WNUA (95.5 FM in Chicago) is featuring a music program
called "Sounds of Brazil" every Saturday night from 10pm to 12 am
(midnight). They also offer complete CD information on how to buy the
CD's that you hear from their catalog also because they feature a
1-800 number to call. I don't know the number but it will be annouced
during the program. Also on KSSJ 101.9 FM Sacramento, CA Sunday at
11am, WOTB 100.3 FM Rpovidence, RI sundays at 10am and 88.9 Panama
CIty, Panama Mondays at 7pm
In New York WEVD 1050 AM Every Sunday 7pm
In Ft. Collins, Colorado there is the PBS-Radio station KUBO-FM which
broadcast a brazilian hour at noon every Sunday. They are based in Denver.
Miami - Brazilian Love Jazz Todos os Domingos 18:00 - 21:00 93.9 FM
New Jersey Todas as quartas, a partir das 22:00 WJDM 1350 AM
"The Sounds of Brazil!" with Scott Adams Satunlay lOpm-midnight WNUA
FM 95.5, Chicago, IL
"Samba Pagode" with Jose Moacyr
Tuesday 3-4pm WHPK FM 88.5, Chicago, IL
"Coracao Brasileiro" with Dennis Miller Sunday Noon-2pm WMBR FM 88.1,
Boston, MA
"Brasil Com "S" with Judy King Saturday 9pm-midnight WGBO FM 88.3,
Newark, NJ
"Brasilian Tropicale" with Alvin Griffin Wednesday 1-2pm WMNF FM 88.5,
Tampa, FL
"Brazilian Love Jazz" with Gina Martell Sunday 6-9pm WLVE FM 93.9, Miami, FL
"A Taste Of Brazil" with Dick Conte Sunday 10-11pm KKSF FM 103.7, San
Francisco CA
"Sounds of Brasil" with Sergio Miemiczemko Thrursday 9:30-11:30 am
KPFK FM 90.7, Los Angeles, CA
Agora Brasil - Every Staurday 3:00pm KPFA 94.1 FM San Francisco CA
Brasileirinho - Every Wednesday 9:30 pm KZSC, 88.1 FM San Francisco CA
OneOcean - Sunday 3-5pm KZYX FM 90.7, Philo, CA
Jazz Tropicale, Sunday 10pm-Mid WDCB FM 90.9 Glen Ellyn, IL
Brazilian Cool Jazz Sunday 3-8pm FM 88.9 Panama City, Panama
Canta, Brasil - Every Sunday, 6-8pm KKUP 91.5 FM San Francisco CA
Tropicalia Brasiliana - Every Friday 8:00pm KUSF, 90.3 San Francisco CA
"Horizontes" hosted by Michael Crockett (sp?) on KUT-FM 90.5 in
Austin, Texas. This program airs on Friday afternoons from 2:00 to
4:30 pm and features primarily Brasilian music for the first 1 1/2 to
2 hours and then Latin music from around the world.
"Meu Brasil" on WERS in Boston, Saturdays, 4-8 p.m.
WBGO 88.3 "Brasil com S" NJ, NY Sabados de 9pm ate' meia-noite
Excelente programa de MPB apresentado por Judith King
2.6 Television broadcasts that carry Brazilian television
Many cable TV systems carry "Scola" which has a delayed broadcast of
Journal Nacional. (This was discontinued in early 1994)
Views of Brazil on Cable in L.A. and San Francisco. Call 310-559-5382
or 415-648-5966
Brazil Update (Globo), 37 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 212-819-9078
************************* 3.0 Culture and Language *************************
(Edited by Cecilia Soares <cissa@isr.uni-stuttgart.d400.de>
and Ricardo Esparta <ricardo@isr.uni-stuttgart.de>)
Part 3.1 - History (by Cecilia Soares and Ricardo Esparta)
==================
After Columbus reached America in 1492, the Portuguese and the Spanish
agreed to divide the new world into two halves by an imaginary
longitudinal line at 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. According
to this agreement every land found east of the imaginary line belonged
to Portugal and west to Spain. The Portuguese navigator Pedro
A. Cabral landed in Brazil on April 22nd, 1500. At that time there
were numerous native populations all over South America. The indians
living in Brazil, however, were not socially organized as, for
example, the Incas in Peru.
At the beginning, the European colonizers were only interested in
quick profits. But as they didn't find anything, they began to exploit
a red-colored wood from which dye was obtained. They called this wood
'pau-brasil' (Brazil-wood or literally blazing wood) and named the
country after it. The extractive exploitation of this wood was
Brazil's first economical cycle.
Only when the profits of the commercialization of spices from
India and the Western coast of Asia began to decrease the Portuguese
turned their eyes to the new territory. A systematic accupation and
exploration of it was set about, and pieces of land were donated to
friends of the court. Later, a centralized government was nominated
and the second economical cycle was initiated with the cultivation of
sugar cane. Attempts were made to use the native indians as slaves in
the plantations, but it wasn't too hard for them to run away, given
that they knew the land better than the Europeans. Also, the catholic
church was against the use of native indians as slaves, for they
thought they could convert them. So African slaves were brought over
to work in Brazil.
In the first half of the 17th century, gold and precious stones were
found in Brazil as a result of many expeditions led by frightfull men
who were also indian hunters. This caused the enlagerment of the
territory, not unlike what happened in the USA. The country borders,
however, were only to be defined in the 19th century when Uruguay
became independent (it had been a Brazilian province until that time)
and what today is the state of Acre was bought from Bolivia. During
many years the present state of Minas Gerais alone provided the
Portuguese crown with big amounts of gold and precious stones ('minas'
means mines). This period would be called later the gold cycle. It was
also in Minas Gerais that the first independence movement took place,
at the end of the 17th century, inspired in the American liberation
movement, and whetted by abusive tax raises promoted by the Portuguese
crown. The movement was unsuccessful and one of its leaders, the
dentist Joaquim J. S. Xavier, known as Tiradentes, was executed on
April 21st, 1789. This date became later an important national holiday
(Tiradentes' day).
In 1807 the Portuguese royal family moved to Rio de Janeiro escaping
from Napoleon's troops. The presence of such honorable guests brought
prosperity to the second capital of the colony (the first had been
Salvador), culture flourished, and new economical liberties were
allowed. But the glorious days came to an end in 1821 when the King
decided to return to Portugal where things were back to normality; in
Brazil, on the other hand, there was too much political instability,
and strong sentiments for independence. The King knew about that so he
told his son Pedro who was to remain in the country and become the
ruler there that, if the situation reached the point where
independence seemed inevitable, he should be the one to declare it and
should establish himself as emperor of Brazil. And so that's what
Pedro did on September 7th, 1822, but the Portuguese resisted for
almost a year at Salvador, they were defeated in July 2, 1823
But the new country would have to put up with a series of
problems: a war against Paraguay (the longest in the Brazilian
history), great economical dependence on England, and the embarassing
permanence of slavery. Brazil was the last country in the western
hemisphere to abolish slavery, which only happened in 1888. A little
over one year later, on November 11th, 1889, the empire would come to
an end with the proclamation of the republic.
The end of the monarchy occurred mainly on behalf of the interests of
coffee producers from the southeast of the country, especially from the
state of Sao Paulo. It was the beginning of the coffee cycle during
which labour force had to be imported from empoverished countries such
as Germany, Italy and Japan. Since coffee was responsible for 70% of
the country's export the immigrants were very attracted by promises of
prosperity in the new world (as a matter of fact, this idea was
advertised by the Brazilian government in some poor countries). At
first, however, they were highly exploited, and a great part of the
plantations owners' increasing profits was due to their hard work. But
the world depression that started in the late 20's would hit
everyone. Coffee reached then its lowest price in history. The
economical and political conditions favoured a military coup used by
Getulio Vargas to take over the government. The era of the "Republica
do Cafe' com Leite" (Coffee and Milk Republic), dominated by Minas Gerais
and Sao Paulo farmers (the former, great milk producers, and the latter,
great coffee producers) was over. In 1937, Getulio Vargas eventually
installs a dictatorship that lasts until 1945.
The industrialization period, which began in the late 10's, booms
during World War II with the construction of steel mills, automobile
and chemical plants, etc. Brazil was neutral in the war until 1943
then it fought on the allies' side, in spite of the government being
sympathetic to the fascist regimes. Culminating with the modernization
process the new capital of the country -Brasilia- was inaugurated in
1960: within only 3 years a new town, worldwide famous for its unique
and impressive architecture,had been raised in the geographical center
of the nation, a place where up to that point wilderness had
prevailed. But the great material progress during the 1950's was
achieved at a high cost in terms of inflation and repeated foreign
loans. These problems and an alleged communist influence on the
government paved the way for a right-winged military coup. The new
government installed another dictatorship and granted himself
authority to cancel the mandates of elected officials, to dismiss
public servants, and to revoke for 10 years the political rights of
those found guilty of subversion. Governmental repression reached its
peak at the beginningof the seventies when there was also a great
enthusiasm among the people because of the so called "economical
miracle" (economical growth made possible by foreign loans), and
because Brazil had become world soccer champion for the 3rd time in
1970.
But abuse of power and admnistrative incompetence (including
uncountable cases of corruption and the ruination of the public
educational system) would weaken the authoritarian government and
expose the social and economical wounds of the country. So in the
early 80's, the same middle class that had been a beneficiary from
economical growth under the military regime began to demonstrate
against it. However, only in 1984 Brazil would have a civilian
president again. Tancredo Neves was elected by the congress but was
never able to take office because he became very ill and died shortly
after the elections. The vice-president, Jose Sarney, a man who had
worked closely to the military during about 20 years of dictatorship,
took the presidency. Inflation rate was already high in the last years
of the military regime and would never decrease; undisputable sign of
longlasting crisis it's still a major concern for most Brazilians.
Around 30 years after the last direct elections for president took
place in the country, Brazilians could choose their president again
in 1989. Fernando Collor was elected but didn't even stay half of the
presidential term in office; he resigned for being suspected of
corruption. To a large extent, Collor represents the major Brazilian
problem: a country controlled by a greatly corrupted political elite
not sincerely determined to improve the living standards of the
population.
Part 3.2 - Language (by Luciana Storto)
===================
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese and the Brazilian
society as a rule is largely monolingual. Linguists have classified
the variety of Portuguese spoken in the country as Brazilian
Portuguese, which differs from European Portuguese not unlike American
English differs from the British variety.
The indigenous language which mainly influenced Portuguese was
Tupinamba' (known by Brazilians as Tupi), a Tupi-Guarani language
which was spoken along the whole extension of the coast at the time
the colonizers arrived in the country. During the XVI and XVI
centuries Tupinamba' was used as the contact language between
indigenous populations and Portuguese in territorial expansions in the
south (the "Bandeirantes") and in eastern Amazonia. As a result of
this contact situation, the Poruguese lexicon incorporated a large
number of words from Tupinamba' (especially for place names, fauna and
flora); examples are jabuti `turtle', jacare' `alligator', capim
`grass' and cipo' `vine'.
Another group which had a great impact on Brazilian culture and
language were the Africans; examples of words of African origin are
dende `palm oil', candomble (a religion) and samba (a type of music
and dance).
The south of Brazil has received masses of immigrants in the end of
the XIX century, mainly from Italy, Japan and Germany. These
linguistic groups would quickly make contributions to the enlargement
of the vocabulary and pronunciation of local varieties of Brazilian
Portuguese.
Today, following a world tendency, English words are used especially
in technical fields. However, the average Brazilian - as it is truth
of the average American in the US - does not speak a second
language. Foreign visitors, therefore, should not expect Brazilians to
understand English or even Spanish, even though they may be surprised
with the extent to which Brazilians enjoy to spend time socializing,
in spite of the language barriers.
Useful terms and expressions in Portuguese(*) by i.sanches@ic.ac.uk
English Portuguese
------- ----------
Do you speak English?...................Voce^ fala Ingle^s?
I do not understand.....................Na~o compreendo.
Thank you...............................Obrigado.
You are welcome.........................De nada.
Please..................................Por favor.
Excuse me...............................Com licen_ca.
How much is it?.........................Quanto custa?
It is too expensive!....................Esta' muito caro!
What a bargain!.........................Esta' barato! :-)
I want (...)............................Eu quero (...).
When is it?.............................Quando e'?
Where is it?............................Onde e'?
Where am I?.............................Onde estou?
How far is it?..........................A que dista^ncia?
Yes/No..................................Sim/Na~o.
Go/Stop.................................Siga/Pare.
Entrance/Exit...........................Entrada/Sai'da.
I/you/she/he/we.........................Eu/voce^/ela/ele/no's.
One/two/three/hundred/thousand..........Um/dois/tre^s/cem/mil.
Bank/cash/coin..........................Banco/dinheiro/moeda.
Shop(store)/credit card/cheque..........Loja/carta~o de cre'dito/cheque.
Supermarket/restaurant/food.............Supermercado/restaurante/comida.
Hotel/room/breakfast/lunch..............Hotel/quarto/cafe' da manha/almo_co.
Coffee/tea/water/soft drink/juice.......Cafe'/cha'/a'gua/refrigerante/suco.
Beer/wine/caipirinha....................Cerveja/vinho/caipirinha.
Hot/cold................................Quente/frio.
Airport/Station.........................Aeroporto/Esta_ca~o.
Consulate/Embassy.......................Consulado/Embaixada.
Post Office/stamp/envelope..............Correio/selo/envelope.
Pharmacy,chemist/medicine...............Farma'cia/reme'dio.
Hospital/doctor/dentist.................Hospital/me'dico/dentista.
Ill,sick/pain,ache......................Doente/dor.
Fire Brigade/fireman....................Corpo de bombeiros/bombeiro.
Police Station/policeman................Delegacia de Poli'cia/guarda.
Plane/train/ship/car/bus/taxi...........Avia~o/trem/navio/carro/o^nibus/taxi.
Petrol Station/petrol,gasoline..........Posto de gasolina/gasolina.
Theatre/Cinema/Stadium/Gallery/Museum...Teatro/Cinema/Esta'dio/Galeria/Museu.
Ticket(plane)/ticket(cinema)............Passagem/entrada,ingresso.
North/South/East/West...................Norte/Sul/Leste/Oeste.
Lavatory(toilet)........................Banheiro.
Men/Gentlemen...........................Homens/Cavalheiros.
Women/Ladies............................Mulheres/Senhoras.
Danger..................................Perigo.
Emergency Exit..........................Sai'da de Emerge^ncia.
Bank holiday............................Feriado.
No smoking..............................Proibido Fumar.
No parking..............................Na~o estacione.
Speed limit.............................Limite de velocidade.
Hello...................................Ola'.
Cheers!.................................Sau'de!
Have a nice day!........................Tenha um bom dia!
Good morning............................Bom dia.
Good evening,good night.................Boa noite.
What is your name?......................Qual e' o seu nome?
How are you?............................Como vai?
Very well...............................Muito bem.
Stop thief!!............................Pega ladra~o!!
A cold beer, please.....................Uma loira gelada, por favor. :-)
A cup of coffee and the bill, please....Um cafezinho e a conta, por favor.
See you.................................Ate' logo.
Goodbye.................................Adeus.
(*) Where:
a' is the letter "a" with an acute accent mark.
a~ is the letter "a" with a tilde accent mark.
`a is the letter "a" with a grave accent mark.
e^ is the letter "e" with a circumflex accent mark.
_c is the cedilla.
Indigenous Languages: (by Luciana Storto)
Brazil has approximately 170 languages today. The great majority of
them is spoken in indigenous reservations located in the states of
Amazonas (62), Mato-Grosso (28), Para'(25), Rondonia (25) and Roraima
(11). Most of these lan- guages are part of one of the five major
linguistic groups of Brazil: Tupi, Macro-Ge, Karib, Aruak, and Pano.
The total number of speakers of the Brazilian Indigenous languages is
appro- ximately 150,000. Whereas some languages have thousands of
speakers and are being actively learned by children, many others are
in precarious conditions. For example, the Xipaya (Juruna family,
Tupi stock) language is now spoken by only two older women in
Altamira, Para'. The last two speakers of Purubora', the only language
of the Purubora' family of the Tupi stock (listed as extinct for the
last thirty years) were recently discovered, but they hadn't spoken
the language for 40 years and could remember less than 200 words.
The Tupinamba' (the indigenous language which mainly influenced
Brazilian Portuguese, see up) is today extinct, even though elements of
it survived in the "Lingua Geral Amazonica" or Nheengatu, a language
which retains qualities of Portuguese and Tupinamba', having been
largely spoken in Amazonia in the XVII, XVIII and XIX centuries. Its
descendant today is called Nheengatu, which is spoken, among other
regions, in the upper Rio Negro (NW Amazonia).
The great majority of the Brazilian indians are at least bilingual,
since, apart from their own language, they speak
Portuguese. Multilingualism can also be found in certain regions, such
as the eastern Uape's river, where Tukano po- pulations, due to
exogamous marriages and linguistic purism, speak in average 3 to 5
languages.
Reference: Rodrigues, Aryon, 1986. Linguas Brasileiras - Para o
Conhecimento das linguas indigenas. Sao Paulo: Loyola. Some of the
information above was given to me first-hand by Dr. Denny Moore from
the Linguistic Division of the Museu Emi'lio Goeldi, Bele'm, PA,
Brazil.
Part - 3.3 Culture (by Ricardo Esparta, 1st Version)
==================
The Brazilian population today comes from four ethnic groups: the
indigenous Indians, the colonizing Portuguese, the African Negroes,
and a number of immigrant European and Oriental groups that have come
to Brazil since the 1850's. The most important of these cultures is
that of the Portuguese, from whom the Brazilians acquired their
language, their religion and most of their traditional customs. The
indian contribution to Brazilian culture is perhaps most apparent in
the Amazon Basin. Evident in northern coastal regions are religious
cults of African origin. African influence is also reflected in
Brazilian popular music, especially in the rhythmic samba. Brazil is
a country that adapts readily to rapid changes and new opportunities.
The attempt upon to impart "Brazilianness" to the arts succeds in the
hands of creative geniuses: the composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (a
powerful force in breaking with tradition to create distinctively
Brazilian compositions by weaving into his music folk themes and
rhythms), the painter Candido Portinari (influential in developing a
uniquely Brazilian style, blending the abstract techniques of Europe
with the real people and landscapes), the novelist Joao Guimaraes Rosa
(always using regional and traditional themes though treated in very
experimental and personal linguistic style), the architect Oscar
Niemeyer (the creator, in collaboration with Lucio Costa, of the
capital's original layout), and the cinema director Glauber Rocha (?),
who have handled Brazilian themes with a distinctly Brazilian
attitude.
Brazilian cultural life has been influenced by a series of
intellectual movements since independence. Some have aimed at a
cultural renewal or modernization; others at a return to national
traditions. A complex and vigorous group of poets novelists,
short-story writers, literary critics and essayists are imparting to
Brazilian literature an authenticity not so much of theme as of
attitude. Here is a result of prenational and national development of
Brazilian culture with its characteristic combination of
cosmopolitanism and tropicalism. It embodies a tendency continuous
from colonial days toward a genuine ethnic democracy - not
imcompatible with an equally persistent tendency toward aristocracy of
family, manners and spirit. Brazil's greatest novelist and short-story
writer, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), was socially a
plebeian but an aristocrat in spirit and literary form, though not a
pedant.
A tipically romantic movement of the 19th century was Indianism, which
emphasized Amerindian themes in art, music and literature. It produced
a sociologically important type of novel (as exemplified in the work
of Jose Martiniano de Alencar), of poetry (Antonio Goncalves Dias),
and music (Carlos Gomes, whose opera 'O Guarani' is based on Alencar's
novel about a noble Guarani indian).
The regionalist-traditionalist movement are generally associated with
the so-called regional novel of the 1930's, as exemplified by the work
of Jose Lins do Rego, Graciliano Ramos, Rachel de Queiroz and Jorge
Amado.The movement also stimulated historical, anthropological , and
sociological studies of a new type, involving a fresh approach on the
part of the Brazilian intelligentsia to Brazilian popular art,
folklore and traditions. Later, the movement influenced many other
writers, among them the poet Joao Cabral de Melo Neto, the dramatist
Ariano Suassuna and the novelist Joao Guimaraes Rosa.
The modernism movement, started in 1922, was inspired by new
tendencies in European arts and letters. A branch of it was
cosmopolitanism and another one was inclined to be
nationalistic. Modernism counted among its leading proponents the
writers Pereira Graca Aranha (novelist), Manuel Bandeira (poet with
conections with the regionalist movement), Mario de Andrade (novelist,
poet, musicologist), Oswald de Andrade (poet and novelist) and Carlos
Drummond de Andrade (poet); the composer Heitor Villa-Lobos; the
painters Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano di Cavalcanti; and the
sculptor Victor Brecheret.
Popular dance and music: Ballet and even church music in Brazil have
been inspired by folk dances and songs, most of Amerindian and African
origin. Brazil is one of the main sources of internationally popular
rythms, dances, and music styles , of which samba and bossa nova are
notable examples. Another tendency in popular music is the protest
song, with political and social implications.
Architecture: The landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx has made
urban Brazilians especially aware of the splendours of their natural
environment by replacing the traditional formal European-style with
profusions of native species in close association of their natural
settings. Some of Marx's landscapes have been used to set off the
imaginative structures of Brazil's world-renowed architect Oscar
Niemeyer. Brazil also cherishes numerous splendid structures from its
colonial and imperial past from the tiled houses and ornate churches
of Salvador to the palaces and public buildings of Rio de
Janeiro. Among the most revered of these are the 18th-century churches
in Minas Gerais that were adorned by facades, biblical scenes, and
statues carved in soapstone by Antonio Francisco Lisboa, better known
as Aleijadinho.
Reference: Freyre, Gilberto (1965) Brazilian cultural life in
************************** 4.0 Travel and Tourism **************************
*************** 4.1 General Travel Information about Brazil ****************
For hundreds of years Brazil has symbolized the great escape into a
primordial, tropical paradise. No country ignites the Western imaginations as
Brazil does. From the mad passion of Carnival to the enormity of the dark
Amazon, Brazil is a country of mythical proportions.
Roughly the size of the continental United States, Brazil is a vast country
encompassing nearly half of South America and bordering each of the continents
lesser nations with the exceptions of Ecuador and Chile. After 40 years of
internal migration and population growth, Brazil is also an urban country; more
than two out of every three Brazilians live in a city. Sao Paulo, with the
12 million inhabitants, is one of the most populous megalopolises in the world.
Nevertheless, Brazil's population is clustered along the atlantic coast and
much of the country - including the massive Amazon basin- remains scarcely
populated and inaccessible.
For most, the Brazilian journey begins in Rio de Janeiro. For some it goes
no further. One of the world's great tourist cities, Rio has developed a
highly advanced culture of pleasure. It revolves around the planet's most
famous beaches Copacabana and Ipanema - and is fuelled by the music and dance
of samba, the beauty of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf, the athleticism of football,
the happiness of ice-cold cerveja (beer), the camaraderie of papo (chit-chat)
and the cult of body-beautiful. This hedonism reaches its climax in the big
bang of ecstasy that is Carnival - four days of revelry and debauchery
unrivalled by any other party on the globe.
Perhaps Brazil is not the paradise on earth that many travellers once imagined,
but it is a land of often unimaginable beauty. There are stretches of
unexplored rainforest, islands of pristine tropical beaches, and endless
rivers. Then there are the people themselves who delight the visitor with
their energy, fantasy and joy.
. . . . From the book "A Travel Survival Kit" Brazil.
********************* 4.2 Travel Information by Region **********************
For the purposes of this section, the country has been divided into five
regions: the northern, the northeastern, the west-central, the southeastern and
the southern.
The Northern Region
The states of Amazonas, Para, Acre and Rondonia cover an area of more than
3,400,000 sq km (1,300,000 sq miles) but have a combined population of
little more than 6 000,000. Almost entirely covered with thick rain forest, the
north of Brazil is known as the 'exotic Amazon' and is an area where nature
prevails over all else (except, perhaps, the slash-and-burn agriculturalists
and road-builders). Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas. It
contains the Amazonas theatre, with a majestic neo-classical facade, a number
of fine restaurants and hotels and a free trade zone which is excellent for
cheap shopping. The Amazon river and its tributaries are ideal for boat
excursions, and also offer excellent angling. Belem has a splendid park and
market as well as many fine churches. The Goeldi Museum contains the largest
collection of tropical plants in the world. Maray's Island is the cradle of the
Marajoara civilisation; Santarem, Rio Branco and Porto Velho are also all worth
a visit.
The Northeastern Region
Known as the 'Golden Coast', this region contains the states of Bahia, Sergipe,
Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao.
It covers nearly 1,600,000 sq km (600,000 sq miles) and has a population of 35
million. The area is distinctive for its historical and folkloric traditions,
as well as for its many beautiful beaches. Salvador, the capital of Bahia,
contains the beautiful arts and crafts market of the Mercado Modelo. The number
and variety of churches in Salvador is staggering; some of the best include the
convent of Sao Francisco de Assis and the church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.
Salvador is also renowned for its museums, some of which are converted
churches. The area around the city also has many excellent beaches. The towns
of Ilheus, Porto Seguro, and Aracaju all have fine churches and colonial
architecture worth visiting. Recife, known as the 'Venice of Brazil' on account
of the canals and waterways which criss-cross the city, is also well endowed
with churches. Olinda, Caruaru, Natal, Fortaleza, Teresina and Sao Luis are
also notable for their architecture, craftworkers and fine beaches.
The West Central Region
An area of huge marshes traversed by the Araguaia River, it consists of the
states of Goias, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. It covers as area of
1,900,000 million sq km (730,000 sq miles) and has a population of nearly eight
million. The region is best known for its pleasant climate, and for its huge
cattle ranches and plantations. Brasilia is known worldwide for its
futuristic architecture, which is most notable in the Praca dos Tres Poderes,
Palacio do Planalto, and The National Congress. Goias, 200km (120 miles) to
the west, serves as a jumping off point for tourists visiting the Araguaia
River, Bananal Island and the thermal springs of Caldas Novas. Mato Grosso is
the gateway to the Pantanal, which is Brazil's largest ecological reserve where
farm-hotels house tourists and organise fishing trips and photographic
excursions.
The Southeast Region
This comprises the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and
Espirito Santo. It covers an area of more than 900,000 sq km (350,000 sq miles)
and has a population of nearly 53 million. It is the country's most developed
region and offers the best tourist facilities, including a wide variety of
scenic and historic resorts. Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful
settings in the world. Renowned for its excellent beaches, such as Copacabana
and Ipanema, the city is chiefly known for its world famous carnival. Sao Paulo
is famed throughout the continent for its night-life and its shopping
facilities. The gold boom in Minas Gerais during the 18th century produced a
number of historic towns, the most famous being Ouro Preto. The southeast
region has a number of spas, known for their marvellous climate and mineral
water; all are well equipped to accommodate the traveller, Petropolis,
Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo are but a few of these.
The Southern Region
This consists of three states, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana,
covering an area of over 570,000 sq km (220,000 sq miles). The ideal climate
has made this region the most popular among European immigrants. Rio Grande do
Sul is one of the richest states in Brazil, and is equipped with good tourist
facilities. Porto Alegre, its capital, offers the visitor fine museums and art
centres as well as delightful surrounding countryside. The most popular beaches
in this area are the Tramandai and Torres, respectively 126km (78 miles) and
209km (130 miles) from Porto Alegre. The Gramado and Canela mountains are also
popular with tourists. The state of Santa Catarina, with its island capital of
Florianopolis, also has fine beaches at Laguna, Itapema and Camboriu. Parana is
a prime coffee producing state. The train journey between its capital Curitiba
and Paranagua is a sightseeing must, as is Vila Velha (the City of Stone) and -
most famous of all - the Foz do Iguacu (Iguazu Falls), the massive waterfalls
on the border with Argentina and Paraguay.
************************** 4.2 Entry Requirements ***************************
Passport Required by all except for nationals from the Mercosul (The
South-american common market) - Argentina, Uruguay e Paraguay.
Passports should be valid for six months beyond the date of arrival.
Visa Required by all except nationals of EC countries, Scandinavian
countries, Canada, most South American countries and certain others.
No restriction on import/export of local currency. Foreign currency
import unlimited but amounts must be declared; export of foreign
currency allowed up to declared amount. Regulations liable to change
at short notice. International credit cards widely used, though cash
advances only paid in local currency.
Valid passport required by all. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
British Visitors Passport: Not acceptable.
VISAS: Required by all except;
(a) nationals of EC countries other than France.
(b) nationals of Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, Columbia,
Ecuador, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Norway,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Switzerland, Sweden, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago
and Uruguay.
Note: All travellers must be in possession of onward or return tickets;
alternatively, evidence that sufficient funds are available to purchase a
return ticket to their country of origin will be sufficient, providing a
satisfactory reason for not having an onward or return ticket is also given.
Types of visa: Tourist, Business, Transit (required by all passengers in
transit). A fee may be charged if visa is not applied for personally. Tourist
visas valid for up to 90 days. For an extension of this period apply in Brazil.
Tourists are not allowed to work in Brazil. Send application to Consulate (or
Consular Section at Embassy). Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b)
Application form. (c) Sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (d) 1 photo.
Working days required: 3 clear days. For temporary residence, apply to
Consulate.
Note: Visitors on business require a letter from their firm giving full details
and confirming financial responsibility for the applicant. Visas will not be
granted if the validity of the passport expires within 6 months.
************************* 4.3 Health Information **************************
Mandatory:
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from infected areas.
Advisable:
Yellow fever vaccination essential for visits to infected areas within Brazil;
these include Mato Grosso, Rondonia and states surrounding the Amazon. Typhoid
paratyphoid and polio vaccinations also recommended. Malaria prophylaxis
advisable for visits to Amazon regions. Water precautions should be taken.
PRECAUTIONS CERTIFICATE
ADVISED? REQUIRED?
--------- ---------
Yellow Fever 1 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid/Polio Yes -
Malaria 2 -
Food/Drink 3 -
(1): A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 6
months of age arriving from infected regions. Vaccination is strongly
recommended for those intending to visit rural areas in Acre, Amazonas, Goias,
Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Amapa and
Roraima States.
(2): Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 900m in Acre and Rondonia
States, in the Territories of Amapa and Roraima, and in some rural areas in
Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso and Para States. The malignant
falciparum form of the disease is reportedly highly resistant to both
chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethane.
(3): All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used
for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or
otherwise sterilised. Pasteurised milk and cheese is available in towns and is
generally considered safe to consume. Milk outside of urban areas is
unpasteurised and should be boiled; powdered or tinned milk is available and is
advised in rural areas, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water.
Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from local milk. Only
eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and
mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit
peeled. Rabies is present. For those at high risk vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten abroad seek medical advice without
delay. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in
fresh water. Swimming pools which are well- chlorinated and maintained are
safe.
Health care: English-speaking medical staff are found mainly in Sao Paulo and
Rio de Janeiro. The main hospital in Sao Paulo is the Hospital Samaritano. Full
insurance is recommended as medical costs are high.
************************** 4.4 Methods of payment **************************
Credit cards: Access/Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are
accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Tourists cannot exchange US travellers cheques for US
banknotes.
Currency restrictions: Free import and export of local currency. Free import of
foreign currency, subject to declaration. Free export of foreign currency up to
the amount declared.
The following goods may be taken into Brazil without incurring any duty: 400
cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 25 cigars; 2 litres of spirits; 280g of
perfume. Prohibited goods: meat and cheese products from various countries;
contact the Embassy for details. The total value of imported goods may not
exceed US$300.
********************** 4.5 Getting tourism information **********************
NOTE: For up to date listing of places to get tourist information
please check on ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory /pub/rec-travel as
tourism-offices or on rtfm.mit.edu as
/pub/usenet/news.answers/travel/tourism-offices
Here are addresses of where to write to get tourist information on
Brazil:
4.5.1 Within Brazil:
Brazil- Embratur-Brazilian Tourism Board
Rua Mariz e Barros, 13
Rio de Janeiro, 20270, Brazil
+55-21-273-2212;; FAX +55-21-273-9290
Brazilian Chamber of Commerce
Avenida Rio Branco, 91, 8 S/10/12, 20040
Rio de Janeiro
+55-21-221-1901
Cebitur (Tourist Office)
Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 1323
Sao Paulo
RioTur City of Rio de Janeiro.
Rua da Assembleia, 10/8th and 9th floor.
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
+55-21-297-7117, +55-21-242-8000 Automated;; FAX +55-21-252-7779.
Rio Convention Bureau
+55-21-259-6165;; FAX +55-21-511-2592
Tourist Information Centre
Barata Ribeiro 272
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
Sao Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau
+55-11-289-9397
Embratur / Rj - Brazilian Tourist Board
Rua Mariz E Barros, 13 - CEP 20.270 - Rj
Tel-(021) - 273-2212 / 293-1313 / 293-1516
Embratur / BrasÍlia - Brazilian Tourist Board
Setor Comercial Norte
Quadra 2 - Bloco G - 3º Andar - CEP 70.000 - BrasíLia /Df
Tel - (061)- 224-9100
Fax: (061)-223-9889
Rondonia
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/Ro
Rua Padre Chiquinho, 580
Esplanada Das Secretarias
78900 - Porto Velho - RO
Tel.: (69) 223-2276
Acre
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/AC
Av. GetÚlio Vargas, 659
69000 - Rio Branco - AC
Tel.: (68) 224-3997
Amazonas
Empresa Amazonense De Turismo - Emamtur
Av. Taruma, 379
69025 - Manaus - AM
Tel.: (92) 234-5642 And 233-9973
Roraima
Coordenadoria De Turismo
Rua Coronel Pinto, 241
EdifÍcio Boa Vista
69300 - Boa Vista - RR
Tel.: (95) 224-9977 And 224-9454
ParÁ
Companhia Paraense De Turismo - Paratur
Feira Do Artesanato
PraÇa Kennedy, S/N
66030 - BelÉm - PA - Cx: 839
Tel.: (91) 224-9633 And 224-9155
AmapÁ
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/Ap
Av.: Raimunda Alvares Da Costa, 18 - Centro
68900 - MacapÁ - AP
Tel.: (96) 223-4555 And 223-2331
Tocantins
Coordenadoria De Turismo Do Estado De Tocantins
Secretaria De Estado Do Desenvolvimento Da IndÚstria E Do ComÉrcio
77000 - Palmas, TO
Tel: (62) 866-1084
MaranhÃo
Empresa Maranhense De Turismo - Maratur
Rua Portugal - Centro
Projeto Reviver
65000 - SÃo Luis - MA
Tel.: (98) 221-1231 And 221-1276
PiauÍ
Empresa De Turismo Do PiauÍ - Piemtur
Rua Alvaro Mendes, 1988
64020 - Teresina - PI
Tel.: (86) 222-6202 And 222-6254
CearÁ
Empresa Cearense De Turismo - Emcetur
Centro De ConvenÇÕes Do CearÁ
Av. Washington Soares, 1141
60810 - Fortaleza - CE
Tel.: (85) 239-1623 And 226-7122
Rio Grande Do Norte
Empresa De PromoÇÃo E Desenvolvimento Do Turismo Do Rio Grande Do Norte S/A - Emproturn
Centro De ConvenÇÕes
Via Costeira, S/N - Ponta Negra
59010 - Natal - RN
Tel.: (84) 221-1451 And 221-1453
ParaÍba
Empresa Paraibana De Turismo S/A - PB - Tur
Av. Almirante TamandarÉ, 100
Centro TurÍstico De Tambau
58033 - JoÃo Pessoa - PB
Tel.: (83) 226-7078 And 226-6873
Pernambuco
Empresa Pernambucana De Turismo - Empetur
Av. Conde Da Boa Vista, 700 - Boa Vista
50060 - Recife - PE
Tel.: (81) 231-4421 And 231-5803
Alagoas
Empresa Alagoana De Turismo S.A. - Ematur
Av. Siqueira Campos S/N - 2nd Floor
Trapiche Da Barra
57010 - MaceiÓ - AL
Tel.: (82) 221-9393 And 221-8987
Sergipe
Empresa Sergipana De Turismo - Emsetur
Centro De Int. ComunitÁrio Min. Jose Hugo
Castelo Branco - Distrito Industrial
Rua Q - Super Quadra K - S/N
49000 - AracajÚ - SE
Tel.: (79) 231-9164 And 231-9165
Bahia
Empresa De Turismo Da Bahia S/A - Bahiatursa
Loteamento Jardim ArmaÇÃo
Centro De ConvenÇÃo Da Bahia
41700 - Salvador - BA
Tel.: (71) 371-1522 And 230-3159
Minas Gerais
Empresa Mineira De Turismo - Turminas
Rua Guajajaras, 1022
30180 Belo Horizonte - MG - P.O.Box 906
Tel.: (31) 201-3247 And 201-3942
EspÍrito Santo
Empresa Capixaba De Turismo - Emcatur
Rua BarÃo De Monjardim, 30
29010 - VitÓria - ES - P.O. Box 1367
Tel.: (27) 222-0309 And 222-0711
Rio De Janeiro
Cia Turismo Est. Rio De Janeiro - Turisrio
Rua Da AssemblÉia, 10 / 7th And 8th Floors
20011 - Rio De Janeiro - RJ
Tel.: (21) 221-8422 And 252-2646
SÃo Paulo
Secretaria Esportes E Turismo Estado De SÃo Paulo
Coordenadoria De Turismo
Rua SÃo Bento, 380 - 1st Floor
01010 - SÃo Paulo - SP
Tel.: (11) 239-0087 And 239-0094
ParanÁ
FundaÇÃo De Esporte E Turismo - Festur
Rua Deputado Mario De Barros, 1290
EdifÍcio Caetano Munhoz Da Rocha
80530 - Curitiba - PR
Tel.: (41) 254-7273
Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina Turismo S/A - Santur
Rua Felipe Schmidt, 21 - 9th Floor
Centro Com. Aderbal Ramos Da Silva
88010 - FlorianÓpolis - SC - P.O. Box D-3
Tel.: (48) 24-6300 And 24-5862
Rio Grande Do Sul
Cia. Rio-Grandense De Turismo - Crtur
Rua Dos Andradas, 1137 - 6th Floor
90020 - Porto Alegre - RS
Tel.: (512) 28-7695 And 28-1311
Mato Grosso
Empresa Matogrossense De Turismo S/A - Turimat
PraÇa Da RepÚblica, 131
78000 - CuiabÁ - MT - P.O. Box 500
Tel.: (65) 322-5363 And 322-5749
Mato Grosso Do Sul
Departamento Geral De Fomento Ao Turismo
Parque Dos Poderes, Bl 3 - Ala D
79013 - Campo Grande - MS
Tel.: (67) 721-4180 And 721-4680
GoiÁs
SuperintendÊncia De Turismo De GoiÁs - Goiastur
EstÁdio Serra Dourada
Ala Sul - 3rd Floor - Jardim GoiÁs
74510 - Goiânia
Tel.: (62) 225-7491 And 223-1459
Distrito Federal
Dept. De Turismo Do Distrito Federal - Detur
Setor De DivulgaÇÃo Cultural
Centro De ConvenÇÕes, 3rd Floor
70075 - BrasÍlia - DF
Tel.: (61) 225-5710 And 225-5703
4.5.2 Outside of Brazil:
Brazilian Tourism Bureau(USA, FL)
2828 SW 22nd St
Miami, FL 33145
+1-305-445-9694
Brazilian Tourism Office(USA, NY)
551 5th Ave
#-590 New York, NY 10176
+1-212-286-9600
Brazil -Funtur-Brazilian Tourism Foundation(USA, NY)
551 5th Ave. #519
New York, NY 10176
+1-212-286-9600;; FAX +1-212-490-9294
Rio- TurisRio (USA)
55 East 59th St, 18th floor
New York, NY 10022
+1-212-759-7878;; FAX +1-212-759-7288
Also there is a program which runs on an IBM compatible PC that has
all kinds of Brazilian tourism information on it, it is:
/ftp@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil/bratour.zip
*********************** 4.6 Travel books on Brazil *************************
a. the South American Handbook
b. Lonely Planet "Brazil, a survival kit"
c. The Real Guide "Brazil"
** 4.7 Travel agencies and Tour companies that deal with travel to Brazil ****
Here are some numbers of travel agencies specializing in service to
Brazil. We don't vouch for any of them.
New York Agents
Brazilian American Cultural Center: 800-222-2746
BasBrasil (Marcela) 212-682-5310 800-GOTO-RIO
Brazilian American Systems (Monica) 212-730 1010
Brazilian Vacation Center 212-840 3733
Argentinia Worldwide Travel (Cristina) 212-481 0111
Marco Polo 800-421-5276
World Destination Travel 212-977-7402 800-292-9382
Glaizer Travel Inc. 212-265-0247
West Coast Agents
rioroma travel 800-2-brasil or 415-921-3353
Brazilian Fiesta Tours Angelo 415-986-1134
Midwest Agents
Travel Corner 312-726-2668, 800-554-6342
Minneapolis Paul 612-788-6288
Florida Agents
AP Travel 305-565-3481 800-525-9112
Fredson Travel 305-577-8422 800-626-8422
Sky Express Charters (Marcia) 305-358-0444
EUROAMERICA (Marcia) 305-358-3003
Travel Globo 813-547-8446
Brazilian Wave 800-682-3315 305-568-1521 FAX
Discover Brasil 800-524-3666, 305-382-9443
Miami Int'l Travel 305-441-0808
NEW PORT TOURS 800-551-1059, 305-372-5007
Via Brasil Travel 305-866-7580
******************* 4.7 International Travel Information ********************
International Air access
NOTE: For up to date phone numbers of airlines check
on ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory /pub/rec-travel as
tourism-offices or on rtfm.mit.edu as
/pub/usenet/news.answers/travel/tourism-offices
Airlines that fly to Brazil:
Aeroperu, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Aruba, Air France, Alitalia, American
Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International,
Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Ladeco, Lan-Chile, LAP - Lineas Aereas
Paraguay, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano LAB, Lufthansa, Maimi Air International, Pluna,
Royal Air Maroc, SAS, South African Airways, Surinam Airways, Swissair, TAM,
TAP Air Portugal, Tower Air, TransBrasil, TTAG Angola, Varig, Vasp, VIASA, World
Airways.
International airports:
Belem-Val de Cans (BEL), 12 km from city; Belo Horizonte-Pampulha (BHZ), 9 km
north of city, restaurant, buffet; Brasilia-International (BSB), 11 km from
city, duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel
reservations, car hire; Confins Internacional (CNF), 45 km north of city;
Manaus-Eduardo Gomes International (MAO), 18 km north of city, duty-free shop,
bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, car hire; Porto
Alegre-Salgado Filho (POA), 8 km from city, restaurant, buffet, bank; Rio de
Janeiro (RIO), 12 km north of city, bar, hotel, taxi, duty-free shop,
restaurant; International-Galeao (GIG), 20 km from Rio, bar, restaurant,
buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel reservations, car hire; Santos Dumont
(SDU), in city centre (air shuttle to Sao Paulo every half hour at peak times);
Salvador-Dois de Julho (SSA), 36 km from city, restaurant, buffet; Sao Paulo
(SAO): Congonhas (CGH), 14 km south-west of city; Guarulhos (GRU), 26 km
north-east of city, restaurant, bank, post office, shops; Viracopos (VCP), 96.5
km north-west of city, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops.
AIR: Brazil's main international airline is Varig (RG). Approximate flight
times: From London to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours 50 minutes and to Sao Paulo is
11 hours. From Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro is 13 hours 55 minutes. From New
York to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours 10 minutes. From Sydney to Rio de Janeiro
is 19 hours 55 minutes. International airports: Rio de Janeiro (Galeao) (GIG),
20km (12.5 miles) northwest of city. There are regular bus services between the
International and Santa Dumont airports, and into the city. Airport facilities
include car parking, duty free shop, banking, restaurant. Sao Paulo
(Guarulhos) (GRU) 25km (15 miles) northeast of the city. Regular bus and taxi
services. Airport facilities include duty free shops and restaurants. Sao
Paulo (Viracopos) (VCP), 96km (60 miles) southwest of the city. Airport
facilities include banking, a duty free shop and a restaurant. Sao Paulo
(Congonhas) (CGH), 14km (8 miles) from the city. Manaus (Internacional Eduardo
Gomes) (MAO), 14km (9 miles) southeast of city. There are coach services into
the city and to other destinations. Salvador (Dois de Julho) (SSA), 36km (22
miles) from the city. 24- hour taxi facilities are available. Airport
facilities include banking, a duty-free shop and a restaurant. Note: Brasilia
does not have an international airport. All connections are made via Rio de
Janeiro. Bus and taxi services are available to all cities.
Departure tax: US$10.00 is levied on international departures.
SEA: Passenger cruises from Europe run by Lamport and Holt lines. Other cruise
lines, some of which also organise cruises down the Amazon are Lindblad Travel,
Delta, Costa, Society Expeditions. Main ports; Paranagua, Recife, Rio de
Janeiro, Santos and Vitoria. Also numerous smaller ports including Belem,
Tubarao, Santana, Maceio, Sao Sebastiao, Madre de Jesus, Areia Branca, Rio
Grande.
RAIL: Limited rail services link Brazil with Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay.
For details contact Brazilian Tourist Office.
ROAD: It is possible to drive or take a bus to Brazil from the USA but it is
wise to check any changes in political status or requirements in Central
America before travelling. TEPSA buses from Brazil connect through other
Central American countries with the USA bus network. Pluma, based in Curitiba,
operates the 4300km (2700 mile) route from Rio to Santiago de Chile, and
Soletur operates other international routes from Rio. For further information
contact the Brazilian Tourist Office. Documentation: International Driving
Permit required. This must be validated by Automovel Club de Brazil. Overland
access is possible by road from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay (e.g. bus
services Curitiba-Asuncion, Porto Alegre-Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro-Buenos
Aires).
********************** 4.8 Internal Travel Information **********************
NOTE: There is a PC program that contains lots of info about tourism in Brazil:
/ftp@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil/bratour.zip
NOTE: When travelling between cities on public transport, visitors must carry
passports, as proof of identity is required.
BUS: Inter-urban transport is very much road based (accounting for 97% of
travellers) compared with air (2.2%) and rail (less than 1%). High quality
coaches have been increasingly introduced on the main routes, which are well
served. Operators include: Cometa, which operates between Sao Paulo and Belo
Horizonte; Penha (Sao Paulo-Porto Alegre); Reunidas (Sao Paulo- Aracatuba);
Motta (Sao Paulo-Campo Grande); Garcia (Sao Paulo-Londrina); Real-Expresso (Sao
Paulo-Rio-Brasilia); TransBrasiliana (Rio-Belem); Sulamericana (Curitiba-Foz do
Iguazu); and Expresso Brasileiro (Sao Paulo-Rio). Services connect all
inhabited parts of the country. Standards and time- tables vary, and the
visitor must be prepared for overnight stops and long waits between connecting
stages. Car hire: Available in all major centres. Traffic drives on the right.
Parking in cities is very difficult and it is best to avoid driving through the
often congested city areas if at all possible.
ROAD: Brazil has 1,400,000km (900,000 miles) of roads.
International driving licence required, which must be validated by Automovil
Club do Brasil. Traffic is often congested in main cities. Petrol is of poor
quality and expensive. Service stations are rare on some roads (e.g. Belo
Horizonte-Brasilia) and often closed on Sundays. A foreign license is valid
for six months, although a certificate of validity must be obtained from the
Brazilian driving authorities.
AIR: There is a shuttle service between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a regular
service from Sao Paulo to Brasilia, and a shuttle service from Brasilia to Belo
Horizonte. There are air services between all Brazilian cities, Brazil having
one of the largest internal air networks in the world. At weekends it is
advisable to book seats as the services are much used. Air taxis are available
between all major centres. Advance booking not necessary for shuttle flights
between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo (about one hour). Main internal airlines
are Varig, Cruzeiro, Transbrasil and Vasp.
SEA/RIVER: Ferries serve all coastal ports. River transport is the most
efficient method for the Amazon delta. Services on Sao Francisco River between
Juazeiro and Pirapora and up the Amazon to Manaus. Hydrofoil service between
Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.
RAIL: State and privately owned railways operate limited services to most main
centres throughout country. Service is generally slower than bus and
long-distance travelling can be uncomfortable. Good sleeper services with
restaurant cars operate between Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.
URBAN: There are extensive bus services in all the main centres, often with
express 'executivo' at premium fares run by air- conditioned coaches. Rio and
Sao Paulo both have two-line metros and local rail lines, and there are
trolleybuses in Sao Paulo and a number of other cities. Trolleybuses are
increasingly being introduced as an energy-saving measure. Fares are generally
regulated with interchange possible between some bus and metro/rail lines, for
instance on the feeder bus linking the Rio metro with Copacabana. Taxis: In
most cities these are identified by red number plates, and are fitted with
meters. Willingness immediately to accept a taxi-driver's advice on where to go
or where to stay should be tempered by the knowledge that places to which he
takes a visitor are more than likely to give him a commission - and the highest
commissions will usually come from the most expensive places.
Metro: Two-line service in Rio de Janeiro. Line one goes from Botafogo Station
to Saenz Pena Station (Tijuca): (Mon-Sat) 0600 - 2300. Line two cuts across the
city's centre, from Estacio Station to the Maria de Graca Station: (Mon-Sat)
0600 - 2000. Also two line network in Sao Paulo. Integrated bus/metro tickets
available.
Taxis: In Rio de Janeiro several types. So called 'common' taxi (yellow with
checkered stripe), radio taxi (white, with a red and yellow stripe). Mostly
metered and can be hailed. A 40 per cent surcharge operates between 2300 -
0600, on Sundays and public holidays. Tipping optional.
HOTELS
Graded from one to five stars. Wide range available in main towns but sometimes
heavily booked (e.g. during Carnival) and advance booking advisable. Listings
available from local tourist offices. Accommodation varies according to
region. First class accommodation is, by and large, restricted to the cities of
the south. The national hotel association is EMBRATUR.
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Cars may be hired, and camping arranged on safari tours or
group 'exploration' trips in the Amazon region. The road network in Brazil is
good and is being expanded, but since many parts of Brazil are wild, or semi-
explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with organised groups
under supervision and with official permits, or otherwise to stay in recognised
hotels. The country is peaceful, but because it is so large there is a real
danger of getting lost, or being injured or killed by natural accident or lack
of local knowledge of survival. Those with an 'international camper's card'
pay only half the rate of a non-member (about US$4 per person). The Camping
Club do Brasil has 43 sites in 13 states. For those on a low budget, service
stations can be used as camping sites. These are equipped with shower
facilities and can supply food.
FOOD & DRINK: Many regional variations which are very different from North
American and European food. One example is Bahian cookery, derived from days
when slaves had to cook scraps and anything that could be caught locally,
together with coconut milk and palm oil. Specialities include vatapa (shrimps,
fish oil and coconut milk, bread and rice), sarapatel (liver, heart, tomatoes,
peppers, onion and gravy), caruru (shrimps, okra, onions and peppers). From Rio
Grande do Sul comes churrasco (barbecued beef, tomato and onion sauce), galleto
al primo canto (pieces of cockerel cooked on the spit with white wine and oil).
From Amazon comes pato no tucupi (duck in rich wild green herb sauce), tacaca
thick yellow soup with shrimps and garlic). In the northeast dried salted meat
and beans are the staple diet. In Rio de Janeiro a favourite dish is feijoada
(thick stew of black beans, chunks of beef, pork, sausage, chops, pigs' ears
and tails on white rice, boiled green vegetables and orange slices). Types of
establishments vary. Table service is usual in most restaurants and cafes. If
resident in a hotel, drinks and meals can often be charged to account. Drink:
All kinds of alcoholic drink are manufactured and available and there are no
licensing hours or restrictions on drinking. Beer is particularly good and
draught beer is called chopp. Local liqueur is cachaca, local equivalent of
whisky popular with locals but not so much with visitors. Southern Brazilian
wine is of a high quality. Some bars have waiters and table service.
NIGHTLIFE: The best entertainment occurs in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In
Rio the major clubs do not present their main acts until after midnight and the
daily paper gives current information; small clubs (boites) provide nightly
entertainment throughout the city. Sao Paulo nightlife is more sophisticated,
with greater choice; the shows tend to start earlier.
SHOPPING: In Rio and Sao Paulo major shops and markets stay open quite late in
the evening. Rio and Bahia specialise in antiques and jewellery. Special
purchases include: gems (particularly emeralds), jewellery (particularly
silver), souvenirs and permissible antiques, leather or snakeskin goods.
Fashions and antiques, crystal and pottery is a speciality of Sao Paulo. Belem,
the city of the Amazon valley, specialises in jungle items, but be careful that
you are not purchasing objects that have been plundered from the jungle,
contributing to the general destruction. Check for restrictions on import to
your home country of goods made from skins of protected species. Shopping
hours: 0900-1700 Monday to Friday; 0900-1230 Saturday. Most department stores
close at 2200. All the above times are subject to local variations and many
shops open until late in the evenings.
SPORT: Association football is the national obsession, the national team having
won the World Cup on four occasions. Ball games and athletics are also
popular. Capoeira, a martial art, was developed by black slaves in colonial
times disguised as a dance to an African musical rhythm. Mountain climbing,
hang- gliding and racing are popular, and safari trips are available to the
Mato Grosso or the Amazon jungle; big game hunting is, however, now illegal.
Waterskiing and underwater diving clubs exist all along the coastline. Both
deep sea and river fishing are available.
SPECIAL EVENTS: There are a number of lavish festivals throughout the year in
Brazil, the two most notable being Bahia's carnival just after Christmas (from
December to March) and the carnival in Rio de Janeiro (February), widely
regarded as the most spectacular and extravagant in the world. For details of
exact dates, contact the Tourist Information Office.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Handshaking customary on meeting and taking one's leave,
and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea
are customary.
Tipping: 10% is usual for most services not included on the bill.
**************************** 4.8 Travel Warnings ****************************
Large cities in Brazil, along with most of the large cities of the world, have
experienced major crime problems. As such, when traveling to countries such as
Brazil, you should be careful and observe common-sense rules. Don'ts: Don't
wear jewelry, don't carry expensive items openly. Do's; Do dress like
everyone else on the street, Do split your money up into 2 or 3
locations on your person, Do use a money belt, Do keep an eye or hand
on your luggage at all times.
******************************* 5.0 Internet *******************************
Brazil's access to the Internet is increasing at great speed, here are
some ways to access the information on it:
If you're unable to post to or read the brasil.* hierarchy, talk to
your system administrator about getting a feed. Since many people
cannot get a feed for the brasil.* or br.* hierarchy, cross-postings to s.c.b.
and brasil.* are welcome.
5.1 What are the addresses of www sites Brazil or having to do with Brazil?
The root www server in Brazil is www.rnp.br; accordingly, thge FAQ
should have a pointer to http://www.rnp.br/ .
Many sites are in the process of installing http servers. The site
rnp.br takes upon itself to be current in its list of Brazilian servers.
http://www.inf.ufsc.br/
http://www.rnp.br/
For a more complete list, please see the file:
whois/servicos.br, accessible via anonymous ftp at ftp.if.usp.br, or
point your gopher server to uspif.if.usp.br and select "SERVICOS-BR -
Available Services in the Brazilian Network (Port.)"
There is an image of Manaus in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's home page,
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov.
5.2 What are the addresses of ftp and telnet sites in brasil?
To find ftp sites in Brasil just "gopher uspif.if.usp.br" and select
"List of Brazilian Nodes (Lista dos nodes brasileiros) (English)."
/ftp@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil
Has pictures of people/places in Brazil.
To get cia fact file on Brazil:
gopher://info.umd.edu:901/11/info/Government/Factbook92/Countries/brazil
or /ftp@info.umd.edu:/info/Government/Factbook92/Countries/brazil
5.3 Is there a list of BBS's that have Internet access in Brazil?
Ask sysop%luca@ibase.org.br for his latest list "nacional.lst"
Here are some well known sites:
di.ufpe.br
ftp.cr-df.rnp.br
bdt.ftpt.br
ftp.rnp.br
ftp.unicamp.br
ftp.if.usp.br
telnet sites:
secom.ufpa.br
5.4 Are there other newsgroups that have discussions about Brazil?
This is a list of newsgroups that may have Brazilian items on them:
br.pc-l br.listas.ct-radiobras
br.ysn br.pg-net
br.comp-net br.oracle
br.colmeia br.masoch
br.rnptec-l br.letras-l
br.on-this-day br.ipct-l
br.sbm-l br.cnpq-l
br.big-lan br.civil-l
br.fisica-l br.astro
br.listas.enecomp-l br.piadas
br.newsletters br.opera
br.optica br.listas.sbis-l
br.redes br.bras-net
br.sbnc-l
brasil.anuncios brasil.esportes.voleibol
brasil.ciencia.computacao brasil.esportes.futebol
brasil.ecologia brasil.esportes.formula1
brasil.geral brasil.ciencia.matematica
brasil.unix brasil.ciencia.fisica
brasil.noticias brasil.ciencia.cnpq
brasil.teste brasil.ciencia.capes
brasil.politica
soc.culture.brazil
5.5 How do I get info about "Bras-net"?
For Bras-net info just "gopher uspif.if.usp.br" and select
"Bras-net", here is some basic info:
Solicitacoes ---> bras-net-request@fpsp.fapesp.ansp.br
Endereco Mensagens para
bras-eua-oeste@cs.ucla.edu Bras-eua-oeste
bras-eua-leste@cs.columbia.edu Bras-eua-leste
bras-euro@doc.ic.ac.uk Bras-euro
bras-net-brasil@fpsp.fapesp.ansp.br Bras-net-brasil
bras-con@frors12.bitnet Bras-con
bruk-net@doc.ic.ac.uk Bruk-net (bras-uk)
bras-pacific@itakura.nuee.nagoya-u.ac.jp Bras-pacific
***************************** 5.0 Contributors ******************************
The following people (listed in no particular order) have made
substantial contributions to this FAQ. If you have any
corrections, suggestions, additions, subtractions, etc., please
mail them to rick@mei.com
Acknowledgments:
izar@cs.huji.ac.il
i.sanches@ic.ac.uk
andre@lri.jur.uva.nl (Andre Valente)
Ciro Ribeiro CIRO@Jetson.UH.EDU
Rick Bronson rick@mei.com
Christian.Kuehnke@ARBI.INFORMATIK.UNI-OLDENBURG.DE
ricardo@isr.uni-stuttgart.de
lrs7@psuvm.psu.edu
Evandro.Gouvea@DB1.SPEECH.CS.CMU.EDU