Brazil

1. Brazil Why Here?

2. Facts • Covers about half of South America and is the continent's largest nation. • Divided into the Brazilian Highlands in the south and the Amazon River Basin in the north. • Over a third is drained by the Amazon and its more than 200 tributaries. • Southern Brazil is drained by the Plata system—the Paraguay, Uruguay, and Paraná rivers.

3. needed when Entering • a passport valid for at least 6 is required • a return ticket • proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay. • Most non-European visitors are required a 90 day visa which must be obtained in advance, prior to entering the country.

4. Map

5. Geography • hills, mountains, plains, highlands, scrublands, savannas, rainforests, and a long coastline • low-lying Amazon Rainforest covers most of Brazil’s terrain in the North • small hills and low mountains occupy the South • Atlantic coast there are several mountain ranges, with a highest altitude of roughly 2,900 meters • Several small islands and atolls in the Atlantic Ocean are part of Brazil

6. Weather • mostly tropical, but temperate in the south • Other climatic regions found: equatorial, semi-arid, highland tropical and subtropical • Southern part is only rainy during months November to May • Around the Amazon Basin, it will rain all year • Hot, dry and humid

8. Currency • is the REAL, divided into centavos • 100 centavos = 1 real. Bank notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 10, 5, 1; Coins are 1.00 real; 50 centavos, 25 centavos, 10 centavos, 5 centavos and 1 centavo. • US dollar is the best foreign currency to take • Most widely accepted travelers checks are American Express. • Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted almost everywhere • There are many ATMs where you can either withdraw currency on your credit card, use your bank card on the PLUS network.

9. Customs

10. Social Customs • culture is European based • In both business and social situations, shaking hands when meeting or leaving is customary. • the women may kiss one (or both) cheeks of other women upon meeting them and, often, kiss men in a similar manner. • smoking has been banned or severely limited in many public areas including airports, post offices, government offices, rest rooms, banks, hospitals, supermarkets, shopping centers and malls. • Numerous restaurants do the same but some will have a separate section parafumantes (for smokers).

11. What not to do • Do not touch anything with your fingers: use utensils for pizza, sandwiches, fruit and chicken • When something is offered, say "yes" or "please". "Thank you" indicates a refusal, "No, thank you" is considered rudely blunt. Always offer an excuse so that the offered is not offended. • Never use the fork to cut anything

12. Food • common dishes feature various meats, rice and black beans • black bean stew (feijoada) is traditionally served on Saturdays • Recommended to try churrasco(barbecue) restaurants and to visit a rodizio, where they will serve of a variety of cuts of meats until told otherwise.

13. Drink • World largest coffee producer • national drink is Caipirinhas: limes, sugar, and ice • numerous brands of beer including Bohemia, Skol, Brahma, Itaipava, Bavaria, Xingu, Kaiser and more • Soft drinks include Guarana (a carbonated cola-like drink) • varieties of excellent fruit-juices

14. What to do when there • Explore the Amazon • Enjoy Rio de Janeiro's Carnival • Go to the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches in Rio de Janeiro • Take a hike on trails into Brazil's wilderness areas: mountainous areas as well as forests. • Learn to dance the samba

15. References • http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107357.html • http://www.brazil.com/ • http://www.brazilbrazil.com/manners.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil • http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/39/top_things_to_do/South-America/Brazil.html