Population

A recent data indicates a population superior to 171 million inhabitants, product of a fantastic mixture of races: Indians, African, Portuguese, Spanish, English, Dutch, Irish, Italian, German, Japanese, etc. The Brazilian people are cheerful, spontaneous, hospitable, very out going and without prejudices. The tourist is always very well treated, wherever their origin.

Language

The language spoken is Portuguese, with a very peculiar sound, different from the one articulated in Portugal. Spanish is understood with certain easiness, but English and French, for instance, are languages little spoken. In the South Area of the country many people speak German, Italian and Japanese due to great immigration of those populations to Brazil.

Time Zones

The City of Brasília, Brazilian federal capital, is three hours behind the schedule of Greenwich (GMT) and Manaus, the Capital of the State of Amazonas, is four hours behind the schedule of Greenwich (GMT) - in other words, one hour less than Brasilia.

Currency

The currency is the Real (R$). The Dollar (US$) and Euro (€) are well accepted at main shoppings, hotels, travel agencies, stores, hotels, bars and restaurants.

Weights and Measures

The metric system is adopted in Brazil.

Temperature

Extremely varied according to the area, it is measured in Celsius (ºC) degrees. The North and Northeast Regions are usually the hottest and stable. In the Midwest, Southeast and South the climate is more diversified and it can be hot or cold depending on the time of the year.

Brazilian Areas

Brazil is divided into five great areas: North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and South.

Extreme Points

North, Latitude +05º16'20", Longitude -60º12'43", mouth of Ailã River (Roraima);
South, Latitude -33º45'03", Longitude -53º23'48", Arroio Chuí (Rio Grande do Sul);
East, Latitude -07º09'28", Longitude -34º47'30", Tip of Seixas (Cabo Branco, Paraíba);
West, Latitude -07º33'13", Longitude -73º59'32", mouth of Moa River (Acre).

Borders

Holder of 23.102kms of borders, Brazil neighbors the following countries: Guyana, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guyana, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia.

Coast

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil has about 7.367kms of coastal extension.

Altitude

Pico da Neblina, 3.014,1m, at the Imeri Mountains (Amazonas);
Pico 31 de Março, 2.992,4m, at the Imeri Moutain(Amazonas);
Pico da Bandeira, 2.889,8m, in the Mountain of Caparaó (Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais);
Pico Agulhas Negras, 2.787,0m, in the Mountain of Itatiaia (Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais).

Credit Cards

They are also accepted at the main Shoppings, Hotels, Travel Agencies, Stores, Hotels, Bars and Restaurants.

ATM Machines

It is possible to make withdrawal with magnetic card in many Brazilian cities. Some world bank nets are not connected to the Brazilian system, making unfeasible to make a draw.

Electric Power

In Brazil there isn’t a unit in relationship to the electric power supply. Some cities offer the 110V and others adopt the 220V. We suggest that the visitors include in their luggage a voltage transformer (110V/220V). Some hotels have that type of equipment for free use.

Telephone Services

Brazil offers excellent conventional and cellular telephone services for everyone. The calls can be made through operators or directly by the interested party.

Clothes

If visiting the North and Northeast regions, which are characterized by hot climate the entire year, it is advisable to wear light clothes and shoes. With regards to the South, Southeast and part of the Midwest, the luggage should have light and heavy pieces, due to the instability and changes of the climate.

Internet

The access to the world net of computers is extremely easy and it can be accomplished through thousands of cyber coffees and lan houses, dispersed throughout the entire national territory.