Visa's In and Research has started-Basics of Brazil

Woohoo!! I got my Visa today.  It came to my house yesterday but since I wasn't there to sign for it, it went back to the post office.  So last night I was able to go online and either request to have it delivered today or to notify them that I would pick it up directly from the Post Office.  I choose the later and after turning in my receipt, vouching for my name and address, my passport with the Brazilian Visa was in my possession.  So exciting!

Because Brazil was on my mind, I decided to head back to the library and pick up the items that had come in from the inter-library loan.  I had a little extra time, so pulled out the World Encyclopedia and decided to start my documentation research on Brazil and Argentina.  Since I received the Brazilian Visa today I decided Brazil should be up first.  Here's some items I wanted documented:

BRAZIL

People and land
Brazil is the largest country in South America.  It makes up nearly half of the continent's land mass and has about as many people as all other the other countries of South American nations combined. "Overall, it ranks 5th in both area and population." 

About 80% of Brazilians live within 200 miles of the Atlantic Coast. "The forests, rivers and mountains of Brazil have long hindered travel inland, and the country's vast interior remains little developed."  The world's largest tropical rainforest sprawls across the northern part of the country while dry plains extend across the northeast.

The Capital is now Brasilia, although Rio de Janeiro has also been in the past. Brasilia was built about 600 miles from the coast "in order to draw people inland".

Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of population and is Brazil's chief commercial and industrial center.

Rio de Janeiro (sometimes just called Rio) is one of the most densely populated cities in South America and is known throughout the world for its "breathtaking coastlines, exciting nightclubs and colorful festivals."

About half of Brazilians of European ancestry (mostly German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish).  Many others are "mixed African and European ancestry, and some are entirely of African decent."  Indigenous Brazilians form less than 1% of the population.

Economics
Brazil produces about a third of the world's coffee crop as well as produces varies agricultural items such as bananas, cacao beans, corn, cotton, sugar cane and soybeans. Nuts and timber supplies come from the forests and industrial minerals are also mined. "Brazil has one of Latin America's largest steel plants, and the manufacture of metal products is the nation's cheif industrial activity."  Brazil also is one of the world's leading countries in automobile manufacturing.

"In spite of Brazil's productive economy, the great weath of some Brazilians contrasts charply with the great poverty of others.  A small number of landowners, executives, and government leaders live in luxury.  A small but fast-growing group of middle-class Brazilians including business managers, government workers, and teachers, live comfortably.  But most Brazilians are poor."

(all above: W.B.E 2012 page 567)

MISC:
Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in Latin America.

Brazil has more Catholics than any other nation.

Brazil has 26 states and 1 federal district.

Brazil's federal government has 3 branches:
Executive branch headed by a President
Legislative branch called the National Congress
Judicial branch (court system)

Constitution dictates all adults 18-70  who can read and write must vote. It is voluntary for those that can't read and write and for those aged 16-18/over 70. (Drafted soldiers serving their required period of miltary service may NOT vote).

(this section above: WBE 569)

President, elected by the people, serves a 4-year term and can not serve more than 2 terms in a row. Brazil’s congress consists of 81 Senators (3 from each state who serve 8 years) and 513 Deputies (the number of which is determined by the states population but is at least 3 and these Deputies serve 4 years in the Chamber of Deputies).  Each state has an elected governor and the Brazilian President appoints the governor for the federal district.  There are a number of political parties including 4 larger parties.

Brazil has the largest Military force in Latin America.  Brazilian men between 18-45 may be drafted for a 1-year service.

(Page 569)

Rio capital was moved in 1960 to Brasilia

Brazil declared itself independent in 1822

3 main ethnic groups:
1) People of African decent (from slaves brought over to work the coffee plantation after the early Portuguese unsuccessfully tried to make the Indians work) about 6%
2) People of European decent (over 50%)
3) Mixed Ancestry

a.     “caboclos” (people of mixed Indian and European decent)

b.     “mulattoes” (people of mixed African and European decent) about a total of 40% of the Brazilian population
4) Asian and Indian account for less than 1%
5) The Indian population is around 700,000 and are mainly in the Amazon Region

“Racial discrimination in Brazil is less wide-spread than in many other countries with people of several ethnic groups.  But Brazilians of European descent have had better educational opportunities.  As a result, they hold most of the higher jobs in government and industry.”

Almost all of Brazil’s people speak Portuguese, Indian groups in the Amazon region still use their traditional languages.

(above page 572)

“In general, the people in rich, industrialized southern Brazil have a higher standard of living than the people in the more rural northeast and the largely undeveloped Amazon forest area.”

“An increasing number of middle- and upper-class Brazilians are buying homes in North American-style gated communities (housing developments with restricted access) that provide some protection from crime.”

Poverty is wide spread.  “Like most large North American cities, Brazil’s big cities face such problems as overcrowding, poverty, and slums.”

The term for a Brazilian slum is “favela”.  In some Brazilian cities, as many as 30% of the people live in slums which lack sewers and running water, so many suffer from disease and malnutrition.

(above page 573)

Rio has nearly 300 favelas. The crime rate is high.  “Many poverty-stricken parents abandon their children because they cannot feed them.  Every day, millions of children in Brazilian cities must beg, steal, or work long hours to get enough money to survive.  Many of these children have no homes.  They sleep in doorways, on benches, or under trees.”

“The Brazilian government has torn down a number of favelas and replaced them with low-cost public housing.  Public youth centers have taken in many abandoned children.  But poverty remains a major problem.”

Most rural Brazilians work on large plantations or ranches. Some have small farms.  Most have very little money and struggle to feed their families.

CLOTHING

Clothing is similar to what you’d see in the United States or Canada on warm days.  Some women in Bahia of African decent might wear colorful long skirts, bright blouses and many bracelets and or necklaces.  Gauchos (southern Brazilian cowboys) wear ponchos, baggy trousers called “bombachas” and wide-brimmed felt hats.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Urban farmer’s markets called “feiras” offer fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, cheese and fish.  Fried meat pastries and sugar can juice are popular here.  In the rural areas or poor sections of town, beans “cassava” (starch root) or “manioc”, and rice are staples. 

“Feijoada” is Brazil’s national dish which is black beans, dried beef and pork.

There is a strong African influence in Brazilian food found in Bahia.  So there you would find dishes with bananas, (page 574 continuing on with 575) coconuts, fish, palm oil, and hot peppers.

Southern Brazil is known for “churrasco” charcoal-broiled meats.

Coffee is the “chief drink” although you can also find many “batidas” (sweet fruit beverages made with rum), beer and a tealike drink called mate.

RECREATION

“Thousands of people flock to Brazil’s broad, white beaches on weekends.  Many Brazilians enjoy fishing, skin diving, swimming and boating.”

Futebol (what we call soccer in the U.S.) is the country’s favorite sport evidenced by it’s “thousands” of soccer teams..  The world’s largest soccer stadium is found in Rio—Maracana Stadium.  Pele is a famous Brazilian soccer player known as one of the world’s greatest.  Also popular are automobile racing, basketball, volleyball, and horse racing.

There are a number of “colorful” festivals in Brazil.  The most famous is Carnival, which is 4 days before the Christian observance of Lent.  Singers, dancers, and bright colorful floats can be found parading through the streets during this massive celebration.

RELIGION

75% of the population is Roman Catholic (in part due to the introduction by the Portuguese colonists). “However, many Catholics in Brazil do not actively practice their religion.” 

Some Brazilians, mostly people of African and mixed ancestry practice local religions such as “macumba” and “candomble” which combine Catholicism and African spiritual beliefs.

15% of the population are identified as Protestant. 

There are a small number of Buddhists and Jews here.

EDUCATION

Most of Brazil’s adults can read and write.  Brazil has a free public elementary school system.  Law requires children from ages 7-14 (page 575 above continuing with page 576) to attend school but the law is not necessarily enforced.  Many rural areas lack schools and teachers so in some cases the government broadcasts instruction over the radio or in other areas are lead by volunteer University students. Public high schools are free but most high schools are private and charge tuition (many of which are fun by the Catholic Church).  There are about 65 colleges/universities in Brazil.

ARTS/MUSEUMS/NOTABLES

* The National Library in Rio is South America’s largest library.

* The National Museum in Rio ranks among the best natural history museums in South America.

*Rio’s Botanical Garden is one of the world’s largest

Butantan Institute of San Paulo produces lifesaving snakebite serums distributed world-wide.

(page 576)

MISC:

Major Indian Groups native to Brazil: Guarani and Tupinamba

Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics, the first time a South American city has been chosen.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was elected in 2002 and 2206 and his policies have combated poverty, and focused on economic growth and social services.

Dilma Rousseff, Predient da Silva’s chief of staff from 2005 ro 2010 became Brazil’s first female President in January 2011.

Also in January of that year mudslides occurred from flooding in Rio de Janeiro state and killed more than 800 people.

(above from page 586)