BRAZIL Ashleigh Brashears

BRAZIL The largest country in South America bounded by the Atlantic Ocean with terrain that includes lowlands, hills, and some mountains.

CLIMATE AND SEASONS Brazil’s climate is one of it’s most positive aspects as it is almost always very pleasant. In most of the territory the climate is tropical, but in the southern regions it’s subtropical and temperate. In the north and along the seacoast the climate is hotter and more humid but in cities like Sao Paulo, the inlands and higher places, the climate is more moderate. The extreme south can be very cold. The highest temperatures are in Rio de Janeiro, where it is also coldest in July. The winter months are May to October and the summer months are November to April.

ETIQUETTE DINING When invited for dinner arrive at least 30 minutes. For parties and large gatherings arrive up to an hour late. A gift should always be brought to the hostess, if you did not bring a gift, flowers the next day are always appreciated. GIFT GIVING Orchids are considered a very nice floral gift, but avoid purple ones. Avoid giving anything purple or black as these are the colors associated with mourning. Handkerchiefs do not make good gifts, as these are also associated with funerals. Gifts are always opened upon receipt.

GREETINGS AND COURTESIES When greeting one another, men shake hands while maintaining steady eye contact. Women generally kiss each other as a greeting, starting with the left and alternating cheeks. Common greetings among Brazilian friends are hugging and backslapping. A woman may shake hands with a man, but she should extend her hand first.

CLOTHING/APPROPRIATE DRESS Brazilians dress with flair and pride. Casual dress is more formal than in many other countries and you should always dress elegantly. It is better to be over-dressed rather than under- dressed. Three-piece business suits typically indicate that someone is an executive and men should wear conservative, dark colors. Business women should wear suits or dresses that are elegant and feminine with accessories of good quality. Manicures are expected along with clean, kempt hair. Brazilians pride themselves on dressing well and will judge others on their appearance.

RELIGION Roman Catholic 64.6% (other Catholic 0.4%) Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%) Spiritist 2.2% none 8% other Christian 0.7% unspecified 0.4% Brazil is a religiously diverse country and home to the second largest Christian population in the world.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE – PORTUGUESE note: less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

GOVERNMENT Formed by the union of 26 federal states, the Federal District and the municipalities, Brazil is a presidentialist federative republic. Power is divided among three powers that are totally independent of one another and carry equal political weight: the Executive Power, the Legislative Power and the Judiciary Power. It has a multi party political system. Elected every 4 years, a President exerts executive power, and is both head of State and head of government. Brazil’s legislative power is bicameral, with the 81 members of the Federal Senate and the 513 members of the Chamber of Deputies, elected by direct vote for terms of 8 and 4 years, respectively. The current Constitution was promulgated in 1988.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2017 New Year’s Day – January 1 st Carnival (dates vary) – February 25 th to March 1 st Tiradentes Day – April 21 st Labour Day – May 1 st Independence Day – September 7 th Our Lady of Aparedica – October 12 th All Soul’s Day – November 2 nd Republic Day – November 12 th Christmas Day – December 25 th

IMMUNIZATIONS Routine Vaccines including Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and yearly influenza vaccines. Hepatitis A Typhoid Hepatitis B Malaria Yellow Fever

CITED SOURCES factbook/geos/br.html