Brazil - Brasilien

Brazil

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Brazil
Location
Brazil - Location
Weapon & Flag
Brazil - Weapons
Brazil - Flag
CapitalBrasilia
GovernmentRepublic
CurrencyReal (BRL)
Surface8 511 965
Population186 112 794
LanguagePortuguese
ReligionsRoman Catholics 80%
Area code 55
TLD.br
Time zonesUTC-2 to UTC-4
Websitehttps://www.gov.br

Brazil (Portuguese: Brazil) [1] is the largest country in South America and the world's fifth largest country. Brazil is known i.a. for its football tradition and the annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. Brazil is a country with big world cities like São Paulo, fascinating culture in Pernambuco and Bahia, the untouched wilderness of Amazonas rainforests and world-famous attractions such as the Iguaçu Falls. There is a lot to see and do in Brazil.

Planning before the trip

Malaria occurs in some parts of Brazil, so care should be taken to be well protected against this, including prophylaxis.

To take with you to Brazil

To bring with you from Brazil

In shops you often see a price, followed by "X 5" or "X 10". This refers to installments 5 or 10 times. To get the total price, you must therefore multiply by 5 or 10. If you pay in cash, you can often negotiate better prices.

Brazil has 60 Hz electrical systems and different mains voltages in different states, so you have to think before you buy electrical items.

Facts about Brazil

History

Until approx. in 1500, only indigenous peoples lived in Brazil, mainly from the Tupi and Guarani ethnic groups. The Portuguese began to settle later that century and began to extract so-called pau-brazil wood, which has given the country its name. For the next four centuries, the exploitation of the country's natural resources (gold and rubber) continued in parallel with the emerging agricultural economy (sugar and coffee). Meanwhile, millions of slave laborers were taken in from Africa at the same time as the indigenous population decreased. During the 20th century, a second wave of European immigrants came, mainly from Italy and Germany, which further influenced the now unique mix of cultures in Brazil.

Brazil became a free nation on September 7, 1822 after three centuries under Portuguese rule. The country now has democratic rule after two decades of military dictatorship (1964 - 1988). Brazil is today the economic and political power of South America. The big difference in the distribution of wealth is still a problem and a consequence of this is the high crime rate, especially in the larger cities.

The locals

Brazil has welcomed people of different nationalities and cultures and become a real melting pot. The people of Brazil are generally happy and outgoing, beer, football, samba and 'churasco' (barbecue) are important ingredients in daily life. Virtually everyone can dance, Brazilians are generally closer to each other when talking to each other than people in northern Europe. They also touch each other more often when discussing. One often greets with cheek kisses (though never man-man) and ends text messages with the word kiss, this should not be taken as a sign of romantic interest.

Brazilian culture has strong western features, which are evident in some colonial cities, but also in single houses between the skyscrapers of the larger cities. In recent years, there has also been a strong tendency towards "the American way of life", which is clear in the urban culture, architecture, mass media etc.

Climate

The climate is warm. In the southernmost parts of Brazil, however, it can be slightly chilly during the winter (which occurs when it is summer in Sweden).

Holidays

Regions

Brazil has 26 states;

Central and Western Brazil

Southeastern Brazil

Southern Brazil

Cities

View over Rio de Janeiro

Getting to Brazil

Citizens with passports from the following countries do not need a visa for travel up to 90 days: South Africa, Croatia, all EU countries (except Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Philippines, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia , Venezuela.

By plane

The big companies fly to Brazil. Most planes go to Rio and Sao Paolo. Nowadays, there are also charter trips directly to the tourist resorts.

By bus

Long-distance buses connect Brazil with the neighboring countries. The most important connections are made Buenos Aires, Asuncion, Montevideo, Santiago de Chile and Lima.

By train

Train traffic in Brazil and to neighboring countries is minimal. An exception is the known line Trem de Morte (train of death), which goes fromSanta Cruz, Bolivia, to the small town Corumbá in the state Mato Grosso do Sul.

By boat

The Amazon's riverboats are connected to northern Brazil Peru, Venezuela and Colombia. However, it can often be long, arduous journeys. From French Guiana you can cross the river in 15 minutes Oyapoque.

With car

The main border crossings are:

The road between Colombia and Brazil has no continuations inside each country, traffic is limited to the two cities (Leticia and Tabatinga).

With bike

Relocation in Brazil

By plane

Flight is often the most convenient way to move around in this large country. The traditional companies are Purulent and TAME. There are also a number of newer low cost airlines such as:

Flying in Brazil is cheap. A ticket with five optional stops GOL costs around SEK 2,000.

By bus

Virtually every place in Brazil can be reached by bus or minibus. Riding a bus is cheap but of course takes time. In most places there is a so-called Rodovíarias (bus station), from there there are generally buses to the cities in the area. For long journeys, in addition to regular coaches, there are also sleeping buses.

By train

Brazil's railways have been neglected for many years, there are only a few passenger lines left.

  • From Curitiba to Paranaguá - this beautiful 150 km long line connects Paraná with the coastal cities Morretes and Paranaguá. The stretch goes through the beautiful ones Serra do Mar bergen which are covered with atlantic forest. The trip takes 3 hours and has bilingual guides. Trains depart daily at 08:00 and cost R $ 40 (ToR)
  • From São João del Rei to Tiradentes - this 35 minute journey with a steam locomotive is like traveling in another age. The trains make a few trips per day Friday to Sunday and cost R $ 16
  • From Belo Horizonte to Victory - the trains are powered by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce and departs daily from Belo Horizonte at 07:30 and Victory at 07:00. The trip takes about twelve and a half hours and costs 25 R $ for a simple second class ticket. It is often fully booked, so you should book well in advance.
  • From Sao Luis to Carajás - interesting stretch through the Amazon rainforests.
  • From Macapá to Serra do Navio
With car

The car guide "Guia de Estradas", which can be purchased from newspaper sellers, contains maps and distances but also information about the status of the roads (which is not always so good). Rental cars are available from the usual companies at the airports and can be good for reaching certain areas, such as. the historic site Minas Gerais, Rio-Santos road and the beaches of northeastern Brazil.

  • Driving a car in Brazil requires attention. Brazilians are crazy about motorsport like Formula 1 and it seems to have affected their driving style. If you drive at night, you should be extra careful, there are many poorly maintained roads with large holes in them, in addition, many animals cross the roads.
  • Drive with locked doors, especially inside cities. This makes it more difficult for any robbers to get into the car.
  • Flashing with the left turn signal - a signal to the car behind that it is not safe to drive again.
  • Looking with the right turn signal - a signal to the car behind that it can drive again.
  • Flashing with the headlights - An indication to oncoming cars that there is a danger such as animals or police with speed cameras.
By boat

Passenger boat is a very common means of transport in Amazonas and on the coast to the west Sao Luis

By taxi



With bike

In rural areas, bicycles are a common means of transport, however, drivers of motor vehicles do not pay much attention to cyclists. Cities are generally not so well adapted for cyclists, two exceptions are Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza, where there are bike paths along the beaches.

With lifting

Payment

Acceptable currencies

The country's currency is called real and cash in small denominations is the most widely used form of payment. Sometimes it can be difficult to exchange larger banknotes, so you should always try to have small banknotes with you. It can be quite expensive and sometimes also cumbersome to exchange traveler's checks

Traveler's checks



Charge card

The usual credit cards are accepted, one must of course observe normal caution when using credit cards to pay. Remember the PIN code, as it often has to be used for payment.

ATMs

ATMs often accept VISA and other international cards, look for the VISA logo or other logo that indicates which cards are accepted. Shell gas stations with shops often have an ATM that accepts international cards. Banco do Brasil has many ATMs, but usually only one per office that accepts international cards. BankBoston, HSBC, Bradesco and Citibank usually also accept international cards.

Accommodation

There are several alternative accommodations from luxury five star hotels to the very simplest accommodations. An alternative is one pushed, which is something in between a Swedish hostel and a regular hotel.

Food and drinks

In most restaurants there is a right for two people, which makes it extra cheap provided you want to eat the same food. There are also buffet restaurants signposted with "kilogram" (also called "self-service"), where you weigh the food you pick. Then you can get a good and filling dinner for only 5 kroner.

Guarana is like Pommac that is served everywhere, more popular than Coca Cola. Possibly addictive.

To see

There is so much Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, fantastic beaches etc.

To do

Brazil is a cheap country for the shopper. The fashion is colorful and if you go in the winter, you will find summer clothes that will be in Sweden six months later.

Work

Communication

In Brazil, Portuguese is spoken. However, the Brazilian Portuguese differs from the one spoken in Portugal. It is very useful to learn some basic words and phrases as not many people speak English except young people in the big cities. Spanish and Italian are mutually intelligible with Portuguese, so speakers of these should be able to do without any major problems.

Security

Emergency number for the police: 190. Use common sense, and the trip to Brazil will most likely end without any problems. Extra care is required in the big cities, which have higher crime than normal.

So-called "favelas" (shantytowns), which are found in many big cities, including Rio de Janeiro, are very dangerous! Here you should not go in if you do not have good reasons and good control, for example to visit an organization or person you know in the area.

Respect

All military and police.

Problem solver

In Sweden



In place

Other

Absolutely not to be missed
  • The Rio Carnival. If you are in Rio de Janeiro in February, you absolutely must not miss the annual carnival.