Geography
- Full country name: Federative Republic of Brazil.
- Population: 203.5 million.
- Border countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
- Climate: mainly tropical, with variations from seasonal drought in the north east and seasonal rainfall in central regions. The south is characterised by a temperate climate.
- Terrain: varied, includes hills, mountains, plains and highlands. The southern part of the country is a rugged terrain in comparison to the north. Brazil consists of a dense complex of rivers, including the Amazon.
- Natural hazards: Droughts occur in the north east and occasional floods in the south.
Living in Brazil
- Cost of living: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are the most expensive cities to live in Brazil. Millions of Brazilians live on the minimum salary. However, in comparison to the UK it is cheaper to live in terms of day-to-day life. The majority of rented accommodation in Brazil is completely unfurnished so budgeting for furniture is necessary.
- Utilities: electricity, gas, water, garbage averages at $121.55 per month. See Numbeo
for more information.
- Internet domain: .br
- Health: water should not be consumed unless sterilised first. Dengue fever is common. There is no vaccine for dengue fever, so you should use mosquito repellent regularly. Fever vaccination is recommended at least ten days before visiting some parts of Brazil. Air pollution, especially in São Paulo, may aggravate chest complaints. Rabies is present. Private health insurance is strongly recommended as there is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
- Laws and customs: penalties for drug trafficking can be severe. The country is tolerant towards gay travellers. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are seen as destinations for gay travellers, but you should be aware of local sensitivities.
Economy and finance
- Currency: the real.
- Type of economy: capitalist.
- Health of economy: Brazil is an emerging economy which is recovering well from the global economic downturn.
- Unemployment rate: 7% (2010).
- Main exports: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles.
Culture
- People: the population in Brazil is diverse with a history of immigrants from countries such as Portugal, Spain, Syria and Japan. Brazilians of mainly European descent account for more than half the population, although people of mixed ethnic backgrounds form an increasingly larger segment.
- Major religion: Roman Catholicism (73.6%).
- History: see BBC Timeline: Brazil
- Local etiquette: physical contact is more prevalent in everyday life than is the norm in the UK. Males tend to greet other males with a firm handshake and grip of the shoulder or hug. Females and males greet other females with a kiss on the cheek. UK visitors should not be intimidated by this etiquette, as it is a sign of hospitality.
- Language: the principal language in Brazil is Portuguese, although Spanish, French and English are also spoken. A large number of minority indigenous languages are also spoken, mainly by Amerindians.
Politics
- Type of government: federal republic government. The República Federativa do Brasil (Brazil’s official title) is made up of 26 administrative states.
- Major political parties: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB); Brazilian Labor Party (PTB); Brazilian Renewal Labor Party (PRTB); Brazilian Republican Party (PRB).
Travel advice
If you are travelling to Brazil, the British Embassy recommends that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
Some vaccinations are required when visiting Brazil. Check the British Embassy in Brazil
pages on health in Brazil for further details.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
website.
