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General Information
Population: Approximately 188 million inhabitants
Capital: Brasilia, founded 1960. Population approximately 200,000.
Official languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French). Many other dialects exist in the Amazon region. English is usually spoken in major tourist areas.
Principal Exports: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
Time: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha islands. Brasilia - UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time).
Electric Current: 220 volts, 60 cycles. Luxury hotels have special 110-volt outlets.
Political Geography: Brazil is divided into 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district (distrito federal); 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, and Tocantins
Festivals
The whole world knows that Brazilians hold the best parties. Different festivals are celebrated in places all over the country. With drinking, singing and especially dancing, Brazilians don’t have limits to their enjoyment and you shouldn’t limit yourself to just the most famous. Any Brazilian festa is worth a look.
- February or March – Carnaval, not just in Rio but throughout Brazil, with Salvador, Olinda, Recife and Paraty most recommended.
- March or April – Easter Week, throughout Brazil.
- April 19th –Indian Day, celebrated especially in indigenous villages throughout Brazil.
- April 21st – Tiradentes Day, throughout Brazil.
- May/June – Festa do Divino Espirito Santo, Paraty, Rio State.
- June – Festas Juninhas (incorporating Festa de São João), throughout June, throughout Brazil.
- June – Boi-Bumbá, Parintins, Amazonas.
- June to August – Bumba Meu Boi, São Luis, Maranhão.
- July – Festival de Dança, Joinville, Santa Catarina.
- September 7th – Independence Day.
- October – Oktoberfest, Blumenau, Santa Catarina.
- December 31st – Reveillon, any Brazilian beach, especially Rio de Janeiro.
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