Brazil - 巴西

Federal Republic of Brazil（Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil) is the largest country in Latin America, and the population ranks fifth in the world. Its territory is located in the eastern part of South America, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, and is the fifth largest in the world, after Russia, Canada, China and the United States. It borders Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Brazil has vast farmland and vast rainforest. The name of the country is derived from Brazilian mahogany. The meaning of the flag is: green-vast jungle; yellow-rich minerals; blue-stars in the southern hemisphere, of which 27 stars represent 26 states and 1 federal district. A national motto "discipline and progress" spans in. Thanks to its abundant natural resources and sufficient labor force, Brazil's GDP ranks first in South America, sixth in the world, second in the Western Hemisphere, and first in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a member of the Association of South American Nations. Since it was a Portuguese colony in history, the official language of Brazil is Portuguese.

learn

Brazil once had only indigenous people, but the Portuguese began to settle here in the 16th century and transported a large amount of Brazilian rosewood (pau brasil, the name of Brazil is derived from Brazilian rosewood) from Brazil. Although the Portuguese (unlike most parts of the New World) settled in Brazil, the Dutch formed a colony in parts of Brazil between 1630 and 1654. After a long and arduous struggle between the Dutch and the Portuguese, an all-out war broke out in 1656. In 1665, the Netherlands and Portugal signed an agreement, and Portugal compensated the Dutch Republic for 63 tons of gold.

Brazil became the center of the Portuguese Empire in 1808, when Napoleon invaded Portugal, King Joao VI fled to Brazil, andRio de JaneiroEstablished his own government. In the 19th century, Brazil's natural resources such as gold and rubber were further squeezed by the colonial powers, and it was mainly due to sugar, coffee, and the African slave economy that gained certain growth. In the 19th and 20th centuries there was a second wave of immigration, mainly Italians and Germans (southern Brazil), Spanish, Japanese (in São Paulo and Paraná), and Portuguese, which formed a complex but unique Brazilian culture and Brazilian society.

After three centuries of Portuguese rule, Brazil became independent on September 7, 1822. Pedro I and his son Pedro II ruled the Brazilian Empire until 1889. At this time, Brazil has become a rising international power. However, after three and a half centuries of colonial rule, Brazil has become the country with the most extensive slavery among the American countries. It was the first country to bring African efforts to the Americas by force, but it was the last country to give slaves freedom. nation. Slavery ended in Brazil in 1888, but for blacks who have just gained freedom, freedom does not mean equality. At present, Brazil is considered to be the most severely racist country in the Americas. Its various forms of apartheid are everywhere, especially in the media (in TV dramas, advertisements), universities and upper-class society. Walking between big and small cities and towns in Brazil, you will see a variety of different cultures, religions, accents, skin colors, hair accessories, surnames and musical forms, but in upper-class places, it is difficult for you to see these same faces , Because Brazil is more European than any other American country. Although Brazil has few obvious acts of racial violence, there are various "soft" racist and discriminatory attitudes that are generally regarded as laughing or misunderstanding. In Brazil, no one faces jail for racism.

Brazil is currently the largest and most prosperous country in Latin America. It has experienced military intervention in the pursuit of democracy for more than 20 years, while maintaining its agricultural and industrial growth and developing its own domestic economy. By making full use of its abundant domestic labor force, Brazil has now become a major economic body and regional leader in Latin America, surpassingMexico、ColombiawithArgentina. The proliferation of political corruption and the inequality of income distribution have improved since 2004, but they are still major problems facing the country. This has resulted in a high crime rate in the country, especially in large cities. After 20 years of democratic politics, Brazil has become a powerful country.

culture

Due to Brazil's continental topography, different geographical environment, historical and cultural reasons, the country has a very rich and diverse culture. Brazil is divided into several regions. Although the whole country basically uses one language, some regions are just like another country compared to other places.

musicIt has an important position in Brazil. Native Brazilian music includeschoro、samba (samba)withbossa nova (Bossa Nova)。

climate

Brazil has different climate zones. In northern Brazil, near the equator, high temperatures and dryness all year round, butSao pauloTo the south, there are four distinct seasons.

Holidays and working hours

Brazil has the following 13National holiday：

• New Year-January 1
• Carnival-February/March (undecided-7 weeks before Easter. The actual holidays are Monday and Tuesday, but the general celebrations start on Saturday until Ash Wednesday, after which shops and public facilities will not open) .
• Good Friday-March/April (undefined), 2 days before Easter Sunday
• Independence Heroes Memorial Day-April 21
• Labor Day-May 1
• Eucharist-May/June (undefined) 60 days after Easter Sunday
• Independence Day-September 7
• Mother's Day-October 12
• All Souls' Day-November 2
• Founding of the Republic-November 15
• Christmas-December 25

operating hoursIt is usually 8 or 9 in the morning to 5 or 6 in the afternoon. The bank is open from 10 am to 4 pm from Monday to Friday. The shop closes at noon on Saturday and opens only next Monday. The business hours of shopping malls are generally from 10 am to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 3 pm to 9 pm on Sunday. You can also find convenience stores or small markets that are open 24 hours a day.

Electricity

Brazil is one of the few countries that uses both 120V and 240V electricity. Sometimes even in the same state or even in the same building, both voltages are used at the same time. There is no difference in the appearance of the two voltage sockets. The 60Hz current may affect the 50Hz clock. There are now fewer and fewer power outages in Brazil, but in smaller tourist cities, there is still the possibility of power outages during peak power consumption.

area

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. It is divided into 5 regions (north, northeast, central and west, southeast, and south), which are mainly divided according to state boundaries, but also more or less refer to the division of nature, economy and culture.

city

There are many exciting cities in Brazil, from small colonial cities with beautiful scenery and little-known coastal towns to prosperous and vibrant international metropolises. The main tourist cities in Brazil are as follows:

• Brasilia---The capital of Brazil is also a city of architectural wonders. The most famous buildings include Brasilia Cathedral, the beautiful Federal Supreme Court building and so on.
• Florianopolis---The city is located in the southern state of Santa Catarina. On the islands of the Atlantic Ocean, it has beautiful lakes, lagoons, and more than 40 quiet and charming natural beaches.
• Fortaleza---The fifth largest city in Brazil, with beautiful beaches.
• Manaus -Located in the center of the Amazon, it is the capital of the Amazon state and the largest city in the state. The Negro and Solimões rivers converge here to form the Amazon. This is the best area to visit the Amazon.
• Porto Alegre- The main city between Argentina and Sao Paulo.
• Recife -The main cities in the Northeast were previously occupied by Dutch colonists. Known as the "Venice of Brazil", it was built on a small island connected by multiple bridges. Has a long history and rich culture and legends.
• Rio de Janeiro -The statue of Jesus on the hill of Corcovado, a world-famous and very beautiful city, welcomes tourists from all over the world with open arms.
• Salvador -The first Brazilian capital, where indigenous, Brazilian and European cultures formed a unique blend. Its carnival is very famous, and African culture and religion have an important influence on the city.
• Sao paulo -Brazil’s largest, wealthiest and most international city, where you can find all ethnic groups living in harmony (including Italians, Koreans, Japanese, Germans, Russians, Caribbeans, Greeks and Arabs).

arrive

Tourist visa requirements

Brazil adopts a reciprocal visa policy, which means that if Brazilian citizens have certain restrictions or fees when visiting a certain country, Brazil also adopts the same policy for citizens of that country.

according toConsulate General of Brazil in Hong Kongdata of:

• Those who hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or a British National (Overseas) passport (also known as BNO) do not need a visa, but Hong Kong residents who hold a document of identity for visas need a visa.
• Those who hold a Macau SAR passport or a Portuguese passport do not need a visa, but Macau residents who hold a travel permit need a visa.
• People with a Singapore passport do not need a visa if they stay in Brazil for less than 30 days.

• Chinese citizens need to obtain a visa before entering Brazil.

The type of visa applied for is determined by the purpose of traveling to Brazil. Different types of visas have different requirements.

According to Brazilian law, your rights and obligations when flying by plane are as follows Free baggage weight: For international flights departing from Brazil, all passengers can check in at least two bags for free (each cannot exceed 32kg). On domestic flights in Brazil (on aircraft with more than 31 seats), all passengers can check 23kg of luggage free of charge. Document requirements: On domestic flights in Brazil, all foreigners must present at the boarding gateValid passport. On international flights, foreigners must present a valid passport. If the flight is delayed, cancelled or unable to register, the airline should provide assistance： Wait one hour---free communication (phone and internet, etc.) Wait two hours---free communication, snacks, water Waiting for four hours---free communication, snacks, water, accommodation, transportation to and from the accommodation (you can also choose to refund the ticket) More information:Passenger guide of the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Administration。

type of visa:

Tourist Visa/Transit Visa-VITUR

Cultural and Academic Visa-Temporary Type I Visa-VITEM I

Business Visa-Temporary Type II Visa-VITEM II

Artist/Athlete Visa-Temporary Category III Visa-VITEM III

Student Visa-Temporary Type IV Visa-VITEM IV

Technical exchange and technical support-short stay-VITEM V

Work Visa-Temporary Type Five Visa-VITEM V

Missionary/Religious Person Visa for Media Reporters-Temporary Category VI Visa-VITEM VI

Missionary/Religious Person Visa-Temporary Type Seven Visa-VITEM VII

Permanent visa-VIPER

For detailed information on visa categories, information, applications and fees, please refer toBrazilian Embassy in China website。

airplane

The cheapest time for air tickets is from February (after Carnival) to May and from August to November.

Brazil’s largest international airport isSao Paulo Congonhas International Airport(Also known as "São Paulo International Airport") (IATA：GRUICAO：SBGR), it goes to a lotSouth AmericaThere are direct flights from capital cities to many metropolises in North America (New York、Chicago、Detroit、Los Angeles、Miami、Atlanta、Houston、DallaswithToronto), European cities (Lisbon、Madrid、Amsterdam、Paris、London、FrankfurtwithIstanbulEtc.) and Asian cities (Seoul、Tel AvivwithDoha) There are also direct flights. There is no direct flight from ChinaSao pauloFlight.

Brazil’s second largest airport isRio de Janeiro International Airport，(IATA：GIGICAO：SBGL)。

Travel around

airplane

Embraer Package If you plan to visit different cities in Brazil, then you can consider buying a Brazil Air Pass (Brazil Air Pass), both TAM or Gol-you can buy a package that includes 4 tickets or a set of 9 tickets, you can Used on any route within Brazil of these airlines. Generally, a 4-ticket package starts at US$580, while a 9-ticket package is generally US$1150. In addition, Gol also has an air ticket that can only be used in the northeast of Brazil, which is cheaper. These packages can only be purchased before arriving in Brazil, and you must prove that you have purchased an international round-trip ticket or an international ticket to another destination.

Air services are available in most parts of Brazil. It should be noted that many flights will transit on the way, especially in Sao Paulo or Brasilia Airport. Most airports with regular passengers are operated by Federal Airport Infrastructure Corporation[1]. Its website lists all routes and the latest flight information for each airport.

Brazil currently has multiple booking engines that can be used to compare prices for flights of different companies. However, a little extra fee is usually included, so it is cheaper to book tickets directly from the airline website.

In the past 10 years, the Brazilian civil aviation industry has undergone at least two major changes. Currently the largest airline is TAM[2]And Gol [3]Together, they occupy 80% of the Brazilian domestic market. Other airlines include WebJet [4], Avianca [5]And Azul [6]. TRIP [7]There are short-haul flights to smaller airports across the country, Pantanal [8]And Puma [9]This business is also being increased. Brazil also has a number of regional companies, such as NHT [10]. If you book tickets online in advance, the price difference between airlines is very small, but the domestic flights of WebJet and Azul have recently been lower than other airlines.

Car

Brazil has 1.6 million kilometers of road network, the largest in Latin America. If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery (historical city, Rio-Santos highway, or beaches in northeastern Brazil, etc.), self-driving is a very good choice, usually there are car rental companies at the airport.

Many roads in Brazil are in very good conditions, especially in the east and south and coastal areas. In other regions and big cities, there will be a lot of bad road conditions. It is recommended to use off-road vehicles. This is especially true in the Amazon region, where many roads are very difficult to pass during the rainy season from November to March. Therefore, you must pay attention to the use of the latest map when driving, and pay attention to the distance, road conditions and driving time.Guia 4 RodasMaps (available at most newsstands in Brazil) not only provide maps, distances, but also the latest road conditions.

• Drive on the right in Brazil.
• Be sure to lock the door when driving, especially in larger cities, because red light robbery is more common in some areas. And pay attention to safety when driving and take good care of your belongings.

go sightseeing

Natural landscape

• Amazon Rainforest -The Amazon River Basin accounts for more than half of the existing rain in the world, and more than 60% of the rain forest is in northern Brazil-about 1 billion acres, it has an amazing diversity of biological species. The area has more than 2.5 million insect species, more than 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fish species, and more than 2,000 species of birds and mammals. One-fifth of the bird species and one-fifth of the fish species in the world live in the Amazon rainforest and in the rivers and streams of the Amazon.

• Atlantic jungle（Mata Atlântica)-An area formed by tropical and subtropical forests from the northeast Atlantic coast of BrazilRio Grande do NorteExtends all the way to southern BrazilRio Grande do Sul. The Atlantic jungle has a very diverse vegetation, including the representative species of Araucaria in the south and mangroves in the northeast, dozens of bromeliad and orchidaceae plants, and other unique species. This forest is also designated as the "World Biosphere Reserve" (World Biosphere Reserve), it has highly endangered species, including the famous marmoset, lion face and woolly spider monkey. Unfortunately, this jungle has been extensively destroyed since the colonial period due to sugar cane planting and human settlement-it is estimated that the existing forest area is less than 10% of the original area. However, Brazil has stepped up the protection of the forest, setting up hundreds of parks, including 131 federal parks, 443 state parks and 14 municipal parks, most of which are open to the public.

• Pantanal -A vast tropical wetland, one of the largest wetlands in the world. 80% are inMato Grosso do SulState and extend toMato GrossoThe area is estimated to be between 140,000 and 195,000 square kilometers. During the rainy season, 80% of the Pantanal wetlands are soaked in rainwater, which nourishes an amazing biodiversity, including a very diverse range of aquatic plants and various animal species.

• Fall（Cachoeiras)-Brazil has various waterfalls of different sizes and shapes. lie inParanaEastern stateIguazu fallsIt is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and it is breathtaking. lie inBahiaStateCachoeira da FumaçaIt is 353 meters high, ranking second, and there are many famous waterfalls. In addition to the waterfalls that are world-famous throughout Brazil, in the south, southeast, and midwest of Brazil, no matter where you are, there must be at least one waterfall nearby that is well-known in the region.

architecture

• Colonial architecture -Many cities have relics of Brazilian colonial history, and many churches, monasteries, castles, barracks and other buildings are still intact. The most concentrated and best-preserved buildings of this kind are in the "Black Gold City"OrupledoAnd Tiradentes, but inRio de Janeiro、Petropolis、Salvador、Paratywith GoianiaThere is also a very spectacular colony center.

• Works by Oscar Niemeyer(Oscar Niemeyer)-Niemeyer is the most famous architect in Brazil and a pioneer of current architecture. He uses curves to shape the unique sense of space in the building, and boldly explores the beauty of reinforced concrete. He is most famous in the new capital in the 1950sBrasiliaIn addition to many of his architectural works, his works are spread all over Brazil.

Activity

Gay travel

Due to Brazil’s high acceptance of homosexuality, gay travel has become increasingly popular. Brazil held the first gay ball in the Americas in 1754! In modern times, the most important gay travel destination isRio, It has been twice selected as the sexiest travel destination in the world,Sao paulo, Where there is the largest gay parade in the world,RecifeIs attracting more and more gay travelers.

Carnival

Brazil hosts the world's largest carnival every year, which lasts for about a week between February and March. There are many ways to celebrate the carnival, Olinda,Salvador、Rio de Janeiro、Sao pauloCarnivals in various places have different forms, each leading the way.

Sandy beach

Almost all coastlines of Brazil have unparalleled beaches, and the beach lifestyle also constitutes a large part of Brazilian culture.Rio de JaneiroThis is especially true. Its pace of life is particularly laid-back, with everyone stepping on flip flops, and it has famous beaches such as Ipanema and Copacabana. Apart fromRio de JaneiroIn addition, you can alsoFortaleza、Natal、RecifewithSalvadorEnjoy the pristine beach.Sao pauloThe city is almost an hour’s drive from Paulista Bay. The area has beautiful sandy beaches and very delicious seafood. São Paulo citizens go there on weekends to enjoy the sun, beaches and seafood.

physical education

• football -Football is an eternal theme on the streets of Brazil, and Brazil has many excellent teams and players.Rio de JaneiroWell-knownMaracanã Stadium, Specific to Belo HorizonteMinerand Stadium，Sao pauloFamousCorinthians Arena。

• volleyball -Although the main sport in Brazil is football, there are many places on the beach where you can play beach volleyball. The rules of beach volleyball are different from the general indoor volleyball (for example: it is not 6 players, but 2).

• International Chartering Group - [11]-Yacht rental and sailing operation, it is the world's largest yacht charter company and can meet all chartering needs. There are 9 offices around the world (United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Dubai).

Shopping

The currency unit of Brazil isReal, Abbreviated as BRL or R$. 1 Lille is 100 cents (centavos).

Most stores in Brazil accept credit cards. In Brazil, the use of credit cards is very common.

exchange rate

As of September 15, 2019, the exchange rate of 1 real to certain currencies is as follows:

• RMB: 1.73
• Hong Kong dollar: 1.92
• Macau Patacas (commonly known as "Portuguese coins"): 1.98
• New Taiwan Dollar: 7.57
• Singapore Dollar: 0.34
• USD: 0.24
• Euro: 0.22
• Pound Sterling: 0.2
• Canadian Dollar: 0.32

According to Brazilian federal regulations, it is illegal to use foreign currency transactions in Brazil, but many places in large cities and border towns accept foreign currency, and many foreign exchange offices are also scoring in the gray areas. In addition, in Brazil, currencies other than the US dollar and the euro are difficult to exchange, and it is difficult to find a place to exchange currencies outside of the big cities. Currency exchange fees in Brazilian banks are very high. For example, Brazilian banks charge a fee of US$15 for each exchange.

souvenir

Like many Latin American countries, handcrafts can be bought everywherejewelry。Havana(Havaianas) is also a good choice. If you have enough space in your bag, Brazil’s cotton hammock (hammock) is an interesting and practical choice. There are also some more distinctive souvenirs, such as Brazilian leather products and propolis. , Coffee, gems, etc.

Shopping

Prices in Brazil have risen this year, with higher prices for electronic products, but Brazilian leather products are of high quality and low price.

diet

Dishes

Brazilian cuisine is as rich as its region and culture. Many kinds of dishes are brought over by immigrants, and then after many generations of localization, they have formed the unique food characteristics of Brazil. Brazil’s national dish isBrazilian stew(Feijoada), it is a stew made of black beans, pork (pork ears, knuckles, pork chops, etc.) and beef (usually dried beef). Rice is usually served, accompanied by cabbage and sliced ​​orange (lemon).

The standard lunch in Brazil is calledprato feito. It is made of rice, beans and steak, sometimes with farofa, pasta, vegetables and French fries. The seafood in coastal cities is very delicious, especially in the northeast of Brazil.

tip

• allThe restaurant will add a 10% tip to the bill, and all Brazilians will pay this tip. This is the source of income for the waiter, but tipping is not mandatory and you can choose not to pay (although it is very rude to do so). Remember, being very stingy in tipping, or exaggerating when tipping, these are very crude behaviors. A moderate tip is generally between 5-10 Brazilian reals.

stay

School holidays are the peak tourist season in Brazil, and December and January (summer) are the busiest times. New Year, Carnival, and Holy Week are all peak seasons, and hotel prices are very high, especially in coastal cities such as Rio and El Salvador. Moreover, during the holidays, many hotels limit bookings for at least 3-4 days, and prepayment is required.

Like many countries, Brazil hashotel、Room(Pousada),Hotel (Motel)And youth hostels. There are a lot of hotels in Brazil, and the prices and service environment are different. Many hotels in Brazil are no longer rated by stars (1 to 5 stars). Please confirm the services and facilities of the hotel you booked before you check in. Rooms are generally simpler than hotels, and there is no room service, laundry and other services. There is even a boat hotel (Boat hotel), which can take you to go fishing or photography on the inaccessible rivers or lakes. Generally, the boats are large and safe. The rooms are air-conditioned and very comfortable. Note that Brazil’s motel means a love hotel. Although you can live in it, these rooms are usually places where adults stay for a short time, and they are all very hidden. In recent years, there have been more and more youth hostels in Brazil.

be careful

In Brazil, according to the law, everyone must carry a photo ID with them at all times. For foreign tourists, it is a passport. However, it is generally sufficient to carry a color-printed copy of the passport with you to avoid loss.

crime

In Brazil, even the most patriotic would say that the biggest problem facing Brazil is crime. Brazil is the country with the most frequent crimes in the world, and the crime rate remains high. Although the overall crime rate has declined this year, Brazil still has a high crime rate in certain areas, with a murder rate of 28 per 100,000 people. To make this situation worse, Brazilian police often fail to provide the most timely and effective assistance. When in Brazil, it is best not to display high-value items, such as laptops, jewelry, etc., and not to carry too much cash with you.

Communication

telephone

Brazil’s national area code is 55, followed by a two-digit domestic area code, and the telephone number is eight digits.

The eight-digit numbers starting with 2 to 5 are landlines, and the eight-digit numbers starting with 6 to 9 are mobile phones.

National emergency number:

• 190-Police
• 192-First Aid
• 193-Fire

But if you call 911 in Brazil, you will also be transferred to the police station.

cell phone

When in Brazil, it’s best to buy a Brazilian calling card[12]. Brazil has four national communication operators: Vivo, Claro, OI and TIM, all of which can send and receive calls and text messages from abroad.

The internet

Internet cafes (Lan houses) are becoming more and more common in Brazil. Very often, even small towns have at least one place where you can go online with good internet speed.

More and more hotels, airports and shopping malls are beginning to have Wi-Fi.

letter

BrazilianCorreio[13]It is relatively reliable, and there are many post offices. When sending a letter at the post office, you should ask about the price of econômico instead of express (prioritário), because the speed of the two is the same.