Brazil Guide
Brazil – country information
| Country name | Brazil |
| Official name | Federative Republic of Brazil |
| Capital | Brasília |
| Continent | South America |
| Area | 8,514,880 km2 |
| Population | 201 032 714 (2013) |
| Foundation of a state | 7/9/1822 |
| The highest mountains | Pico da Neblina 3014 m |
| Longest rivers | Amazon (part) 6570 km |
| State system | a pluralistic federal presidential republic with a bicameral parliament |
| The biggest cities | (conurbation) Sao Paulo 18,500,000, Rio de Janeiro 11,800,000, Belo Horizonte 3,650,000, Porto Alegre 3,200,000, Recife 3,000,000, Salvador 2,575,000, Fortaleza 2,275,000, Brasília (capital) 1 680,000 |
| Official language | Portuguese |
| Ethnicity/National Composition | mulatto 23%, Portuguese 15.5%, mestizo 12%, black 11.5%, Italian 11%, Spanish 10%, German 3%, other white 13%, Japanese 0.8%, Indian 0.1% |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 63%, Spiritist Catholics 16%, Evangelical Catholics 9%, Protestants 6%, other Spiritists 3.5%, other 2.5% |
| Currency | 1 cruzeiro real = 100 centavos |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | US$11,747 (2012) |
| Average life expectancy of the population | 71.97 years (2006) |
| Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 9%, mining 2%, industry 30%, construction 7%, services 52% |
Brazil – Neighboring States
| State | Capital | Area | Population |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | 2,780,400 km2 | 41,660,096 |
| Bolivia | La Paz | 1,098,580 km2 | 10,027,254 |
| France | Paris | 551,500 km2 | 65,844,000 |
| Guyana | Georgetown | 214,969 km2 | 784,894 |
| Colombia | Bogota | 1,138,910 km2 | 47,506,000 |
| Paraguay | Asunción | 406,752 km2 | 6,783,374 |
| Peru | Lima | 1,285,220 km2 | 30,475,144 |
| Suriname | Paramaribo | 163,820 km2 | 534 189 |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | 175,016 km2 | 3,286,314 |
| Venezuela | Caracas | 912,050 km2 | 28,946,101 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Brazil is the largest country in South America, the 5th largest country by area and the 6th largest country in the world by population. The Atlantic coast in the northeast and southeast is 7,400 km long. Brazil has a land border with most South American countries. A territory with enormous raw material wealth has always attracted settlers from all over the world. The country’s development into a modern industrial state is hindered by bad financial policy, overpopulation in some areas and extensive devastation of the natural environment.
Country data
Location: eastern South America
Time zone: CET – 3 to -6 (during summer time: CET – 4 to -7)
Total area: 8,514,877 km²
Land area: 8,459,417 km²
Water area: 55,460 km²
Length of the state border: 16,145 km
Bordering countries:
Argentina: 1,263 km
Bolivia: 3,403 km
French Guiana: 649 km
Guyana: 1,308 km
Colombia: 1,790 km
Paraguay: 1,371 km
Peru: 2,659 km
Suriname: 515 km
Uruguay: 1,050 km
Venezuela: 2,137 km
Coastline: 7,491 km
Capital: Brasilia
Districts: 27
Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
Electricity: 110/220 V, 60 Hz
Telephone code: 00 55 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m
Population
Population: approx. 203 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 0.8% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 24
Life expectancy: 70 (male), 77 (female)
Official language: Portuguese
Religions:
- 65% Roman Catholic
- 22% Protestants
- 13% other
Climate
Most of the country has a tropical climate with a constant alternation of dry periods and rainy seasons.
The north has a higher average temperature than the south due to its proximity to the equator.
In the south, the climate becomes more moderate (subtropical) and only in the higher elevations does precipitation occasionally fall as snow in winter.
The lower areas around the Amazon are an always humid region.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Brazilian real (BRL)
Classification: 1 real = 100 centavos
ATMs: Available in the major cities. However, not all exhibitors are always accepted.
International credit cards: are accepted in larger hotels and shops. However, cash payments are often the norm.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
Only the amounts of money that are actually needed should be exchanged, as there are sometimes quite high fees for the re-exchange.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- 2 liters of alcoholic beverages
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
The possession and import / export of drugs is strictly prohibited. Even possession of a few grams of drugs can result in severe penalties.
Travel advice
An increase in Zika virus infections is currently being observed in the region. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
The Federal Foreign Office recommends that pregnant women refrain from avoidable trips to ZIKA virus outbreak areas, as the risk of early childhood malformations if the woman is infected cannot currently be ruled out.
In all large cities (including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) the crime rate is very high. Theft, extortion, robberies and kidnappings are commonplace.
Behavioral advice
Always lock all doors from the inside while driving and never open a door or window while driving (robberies take place especially at red traffic lights!).
You should never visibly carry large amounts of money, jewelry or technical valuables with you.
It is also recommended to wear inconspicuous clothing in order not to be recognized as a tourist / foreigner.
You shouldn’t resist a robbery, as the perpetrators are often under the influence of drugs, are armed and do not shrink from using violence.
Tip:
Always carry 2 purses with you. In the first one (which you carry well hidden) you keep your money for the day. The second should contain a few small bills and coins. So you can give out the second wallet in the event of a robbery and satisfy the perpetrator with it without losing all of your money.
Economy
Although Brazil has very large amounts of natural wealth and has now become an economic nation, the country is the largest debtor in the third world.
Due to the attractiveness of Brazil, tourism has now risen to become the second largest industry.
The Brazilian economy has developed very well in recent years. High investments result in good growth rates and solid employment growth in many industries.
Industries: chemistry, iron processing, aircraft construction, mechanical engineering, textiles
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, gold, wood, magnesium, nickel, phosphates, platinum, uranium
Land use:
- Usable land: 5%
- Grain cultivation: 1%
- Pasture area: 22%
- Forests: 58%
- other: 14%
Plants
Almost 50 percent of the country’s area is covered by tropical rainforest. Many types of trees, plants and grass are native here. Although the trees are very close to one another, there are often specimens over 50 meters high.
Large areas of the rainforest were cleared in order to gain land for arable farming. However, since the soil is unsuitable for crops, these areas are now fallow.
The regions that are not covered with forest and are not used directly by humans often consist of steppes or swamps.
Overall, the flora of Brazil is one of the richest in species in the world.
Animals
Many animal species can be found in the large forest areas. Monkeys, alligators, anacondas, caimans, piranhas, pumas and wild boars can be found in abundance.
The bird world is particularly diverse in the entire Amanzonas area. Brazil is therefore always a special travel destination for those interested in nature and animals.
