Need advice on trip to Brazil during Carnival

[Mark Nowak]

From wal...@m2xenix.psg.com Fri Jul 31 20:31:49 1992
From: wal...@psg.com (Walter Morales)
To: ma...@ssd.comm.mot.com
Date: Fri Jul 31 18:30:48 1992

COUNTRY - Brazil

<<< GEOGRAPHY >>>

TOTAL AREA: 8,511,965 km2; land area: 8,456,510 km2; includes
Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade,
Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

COMPARATIVE AREA: slightly smaller than the US

LAND BOUNDARIES: 14,691 km total; Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km,
Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,
Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

COASTLINE: 7,491 km

MARITIME CLAIMS:

CONTINENTAL SHELF: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

EXCLUSIVE FISHING ZONE: 200 nm;

TERRITORIAL SEA: 200 nm

DISPUTES: short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west of
Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short
sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute (Arroyo de la
Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of
the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay); claims a Zone of Interest in Antarctica

CLIMATE: mostly tropical, but temperate in south

TERRAIN: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt

NATURAL RESOURCES: iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium,
phosphates, tin, hydropower, gold, platinum, crude oil, timber

LAND USE: 7% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 19% meadows and pastures;
67% forest and woodland; 6% other; includes NEGL% irrigated

ENVIRONMENT: recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost in south;
deforestation in Amazon basin; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo
Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries
with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

<<< PEOPLE >>>

POPULATION: 152,505,077 (July 1990), growth rate 1.9% (1990)

BIRTH RATE: 26 births/1,000 population (1990)

DEATH RATE: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)

NET MIGRATION RATE: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)

INFANT MORTALITY RATE: 69 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH: 62 years male, 68 years female (1990)

TOTAL FERTILITY RATE: 3.1 children born/woman (1990)

NATIONALITY: noun--Brazilian(s); adjective--Brazilian

ETHNIC DIVISIONS: Portuguese, Italian, German, Japanese, black,
Amerindian; 55% white, 38% mixed, 6% black, 1% other

RELIGION: 90% Roman Catholic (nominal)

LANGUAGE: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French

LITERACY: 76%

LABOR FORCE: 57,000,000 (1989 est.); 42% services, 31% agriculture,
27% industry

ORGANIZED LABOR: 13,000,000 dues paying members (1989 est.)

<<< GOVERNMENT >>>

LONG-FORM NAME: Federative Republic of Brazil

TYPE: federal republic

CAPITAL: Brasilia

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 24 states (estados, singular--estado),
2 territories* (territorios, singular--territorio), 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, Tocantins;
note--the territories of Amapa and Roraima will become states
on 15 March 1991

INDEPENDENCE: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

CONSTITUTION: 5 October 1988

LEGAL SYSTEM: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

NATIONAL HOLIDAY: Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

EXECUTIVE BRANCH: president, vice president, Cabinet

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional)
consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or
Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados)

JUDICIAL BRANCH: Supreme Federal Tribunal

LEADERS:
Chief of State and Head of Government--President Fernando
Affonso COLLOR de Mello (since 15 March 1990); Vice President
Itamar FRANCO (since 15 March 1990)

POLITICAL PARTIES AND LEADERS: National Reconstruction Party (PRN),
Daniel Tourinho, president; Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB),
Ulysses Guimaraes, president; Liberal Front Party (PFL), Hugo
Napoleao, president; Workers' Party (PT), Luis Ignacio (Lula) da
Silva, president; Brazilian Labor Party (PTB), Luiz Gonzaga de Paiva
Muniz, president; Democratic Labor Party (PDT), Doutel de Andrade,
president; Democratic Social Party (PDS), Jarbas Passarinho, president;
Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Mario Covas, president;
Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), Salomao Malina, secretary general;
Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Joao Amazonas, president

SUFFRAGE: voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70;
voluntary at age 70

ELECTIONS:
President--last held 15 November 1989, with runoff on 17
December 1989 (next to be held November 1994);
results--Fernando Collor de Mello 53%, Luis Inacio da Silva 47%;
first free, direct presidential election since 1960;

Senate--last held 15 November 1986 (next to be held 3 October
1990); results--PMDB 60%, PFL 21%, PDS 8%, PDT 3%, others 8%;
seats--(66 total) PMDB 43, PFL 15, PDS 6, PDT 2, others 6; note--as of
1990 Senate has 75 seats;

Chamber of Deputies--last held 15 November 1986 (next to
be held 3 October 1990);
results--PMDB 53%, PFL 23%, PDS 7%, PDT 5%, other 12%;
seats--(495 total) PMDB 258, PFL 114, PDS 33, PDT 24, others 58;
note--as of 1990 Chamber of Deputies has 570 seats

COMMUNISTS: about 30,000

OTHER POLITICAL OR PRESSURE GROUPS: left wing of the Catholic Church
and labor unions allied to leftist Worker's Party are critical of government's
social and economic policies

MEMBER OF: CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC,
ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTELSAT, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, OAS, PAHO,
SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION: Ambassador Marcilio Marques MOREIRA; Chancery
at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-2700;
there are Brazilian Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, and New York, and Consulates in Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco;
US--Ambassador Richard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nocoes,
Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrto Federal (mailing address is APO Miami 34030);
telephone p55o (6) 321-7272; there are US Consulates General in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo, and Consulates in Porto Alere and Recife

FLAG: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue
celestial globe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for each state) arranged
in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white
equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

<<< ECONOMY >>>

OVERVIEW: The economy, a mixture of private enterprises of all
sizes and extensive government intervention, experienced enormous
difficulties in the late 1980s, notably declining real growth, runaway
inflation, foreign debt obligations of more than $100 billion, and
uncertain economic policy. Government intervention includes trade and
investment restrictions, wage/price controls, interest and exchange rate
controls, and extensive tariff barriers. Ownership of major industrial
facilities is divided among private interests, the government, and
multinational companies. Ownership in agriculture likewise is varied,
with the government intervening in the politically sensitive
issues involving large landowners and the masses of poor peasants.
In consultation with the IMF, the Brazilian Government has initiated
several programs over the last few years to ameliorate the stagnation
and foreign debt problems. None of these has given more than temporary
relief. The strategy of the new Collor government is to increase
the pace of privatization, encourage foreign trade and investment,
and establish a more realistic exchange rate. One long-run strength
is the existence of vast natural resources.

GDP: $377 billion, per capita $2,500; real growth rate 3% (1989 est.)

INFLATION RATE: (consumer prices): 1,765% (1989)

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 2.5% (December 1989)

BUDGET: revenues $27.8 billion; expenditures $40.1 billion,
including capital expenditures of $8.8 billion (1986)

EXPORTS: $34.2 billion (1989 est.);
commodities--coffee, metallurgical products, chemical products,
foodstuffs, iron ore, automobiles and parts;
partners--US 28%, EC 26%, Latin America 11%, Japan 6% (1987)

IMPORTS: $18.0 billion (1989 est.);
commodities--crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs,
coal;
partners--Middle East and Africa 24%, EC 22%, US 21%, Latin
America 12%, Japan 6% (1987)

EXTERNAL DEBT: $109 billion (December 1989)

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION: growth rate 3.2% (1989 est.)

ELECTRICITY: 52,865,000 kW capacity; 202,280 million kWh produced,
1,340 kWh per capita (1989)

INDUSTRIES: textiles and other consumer goods, shoes, chemicals, cement,
lumber, iron ore, steel, motor vehicles and auto parts, metalworking, capital
goods, tin

AGRICULTURE: accounts for 12% of GDP; world's largest producer and
exporter of coffee and orange juice concentrate and second-largest exporter of
soybeans; other products--rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, beef; self-sufficient
in food, except for wheat

ILLICIT DRUGS: illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly for
domestic consumption; government has an active eradication program
to control cannabis and coca cultivation

AID: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $2.5 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $9.5 billion;
OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $284 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
$1.3 billion

CURRENCY: novo cruzado (plural--novos cruzados);
1 novo cruzado (NCr$) = 100 centavos

EXCHANGE RATES: novos cruzados (NCr$) per US$1--2.83392 (1989),
0.26238 (1988), 0.03923 (1987), 0.01366 (1986), 0.00620 (1985); note--
25 tourist/parallel rate (December 1989)

FISCAL YEAR: calendar year

<<< COMMUNICATIONS >>>

RAILROADS: 29,694 km total; 25,268 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,339 km
1.600-meter gauge, 74 km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge,
13 km 0.760-meter gauge; 2,308 km electrified

HIGHWAYS: 1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel or
earth

INLAND WATERWAYS:: 50,000 km navigable

PIPELINES: crude oil, 2,000 km; refined products, 3,804 km; natural gas,
1,095 km

PORTS: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre,
Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos

MERCHANT MARINE: 271 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,855,708
GRT/9,909,097 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 68 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo,
12 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 56 petroleum, oils, and lubricants
(POL) tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 14 combination ore/oil,
82 bulk, 2 combination bulk

CIVIL AIR: 176 major transport aircraft

AIRPORTS: 3,774 total, 3,106 usable; 386 with permanent-surface runways;
2 with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,240-3,659 m; 503 with runways
1,220-2,439 m

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: good system; extensive radio relay facilities;
9.86 million telephones; stations--1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151 shortwave;
3 coaxial submarine cables 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations with total
of 3 antennas; 64 domestic satellite stations

<<< DEFENSE FORCES >>>

BRANCHES: Brazilian Army, Navy of Brazil, Brazilian Air Force

MILITARY MANPOWER: males 15-49, 39,620,936; 26,752,307 fit for military
service; 1,617,378 reach military age (18) annually

DEFENSE EXPENDITURES: 0.6% of GDP, or $2.3 billion (1989 est.)

From wal...@m2xenix.psg.com Fri Jul 31 20:32:30 1992
id <m0mE8JL...@m2xenix.psg.com>; Sat, 1 Aug 92 01:31 GMT
From: wal...@psg.com (Walter Morales)
To: ma...@ssd.comm.mot.com
Date: Fri Jul 31 18:31:07 1992

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 1 of 7====
Location: South America.
Conselho Nacional de Turismo (CNTUR)
Ministerio da Industria e do Comercio
Rua Mariz e Barros 13
20270 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
Tel: (021) 273 0691.
Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil and Brazilian
Information Office
32 Green Street
London W1Y 4AT
Tel: (071) 499 0877. Fax: (071) 493 5101.Telex: 261157.
Brochures and publicity material may be ordered via Country
Connect by keying *567# on ISTEL TravelGuide 999.
Brazilian Consulate General
6 St Alban's St
London SW1Y 4SG
Tel: (071) 930 9055. Opening hours: 1000-1600 Monday to Friday.

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 2 of 7====
British Embassy
Caixa Postal 07-0586
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Quadra 801
Conjunto K
70.408 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 225 2710. Telex: 0611360.
Consulates in: Belem, Manaus, Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro,
Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande
and Santos.
Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil and Brazilian
Tourist Department
3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
Tel: (202) 745 2712.
Brazilian Consulate
630 Fifth Avenue, 27th floor
New York NY 10111

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 3 of 7====
Tel: (212) 757 3080/7.
Embassy of the United States of America
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Av. das Nacoes
Lote 3
70.403 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 321 7272. Telex: 06141167.

AREA: 8,511,965 sq km (3,286,488 sq miles).

POPULATION: 144,428,000 (1988 estimate).
POPULATION DENSITY: 17 per sq km.
CAPITAL: Brasilia. Population: 1,567,709 (1985).

GEOGRAPHY: Brazil covers almost half of the South American
continent and it is bordered to the north, west and south by all
South American countries except Chile and Ecuador; to the east is
the Atlantic. Brazil is topographically relatively flat, and at no

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 4 of 7====
point do the highlands exceed 3000m (10,000ft). Over 60% of the
country is a plateau; the remainder consists of plains. The River
Plate Basin (the confluence of the Parana and Uruguay Rivers,
both of which have their sources in Brazil) in the far south is more
varied, higher and less heavily forested. North of the Amazon are
the Guiana Highlands, partly forested, partly stony desert. The
Brazilian Highlands of the interior, between the Amazon and the
rivers of the south, form a vast tableland, the Mato Grosso, from
which rise mountains in the southwest, that form a steep
protective barrier from the coast called the Great Escarpment,
breached by deeply cut river beds. The population is concentrated
in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and
Parana. Sao Paulo has a population of over 10 million, while over
5 million people live in Rio de Janeiro.

LANGUAGE: The official language is Portuguese. French,
German and Italian are widely spoken, English to a lesser extent.

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 5 of 7====
RELIGION: Over 90% Roman Catholic.

TIME: Brazil spans several time zones:
Brazilian Standard Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 in summer).
Amazon time zone (except Acre): GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 in summer).
Acre State: GMT - 4 (throughout year).

ELECTRICITY: Brasilia 220/240 volt AC, 60Hz; Rio de Janeiro 110
volts AC, 60Hz; Sao Paulo 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are of the
two-pin type.

COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone: The telecommunications
systems are state-owned. Full IDD services available for the
whole country and abroad. Country code: 55. Public telephones
require metal discs called 'fichas', which can be obtained from
cash desks or newspaper kiosks. All calls are liable to a 20% tax.
Fax: Facilities are available in the main post offices of major cities

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 6 of 7====
and some 5-star hotels; because this technology is only just being
introduced it is advisable to check that this facility is offered at
your destination. Telex/telegram: International telegram and
telex facilities exist in many cities. Offices of Embratel in Rio de
Janerio (Praca Maua 7) and Sao Paulo. Rio's airport provides 24
hour telecommunication services. The domestic telex service now
covers the whole of the country. Post: Services are reasonably
reliable. Sending mail registered or franked will eliminate the risk
of having the stamps steamed off. Airmail service to Europe takes
four to six days. Surface mail takes at least four weeks. Press: The
only English newspaper is The Brazil Herald in Rio. Also in Rio
there is an English Language publication, the Rio Visitor which
gives tourist information.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies and
wavelengths: From time to time these change.
BBC:
MHz 17.76 15.18 9.915 6.005

BRAZIL Population, Geography, Language, Time, and more
=============================================================Page: 7 of 7====
Metres 16.89 19.76 30.26 49.96
Voice of America:
MHz 15.21 11.58 9.775 5.995
Metres 19.72 25.91 30.69 50.04
===============================================================================

BRAZIL Passport/Visa

PASSPORT VISA RTN. TICKET
REQUIRED? REQUIRED? REQUIRED?
--------- --------- -----------
Full British Yes No 2
Brit Visitors Not valid - -
Australian Yes Yes 2
Canadian Yes Yes 2
USA Yes Yes 2
EEC Yes 1 2
Japanese Yes Yes 2

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. Passports must be
valid for at least 6 months.
British Visitors Passport: Not acceptable.

VISAS: Required by all except;
(a) (1) nationals of EC countries other than France (whose
nationals do require visas);
(b) nationals of Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile,
Columbia, Ecuador, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico,
Monaco, Morocco, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,
Switzerland, Sweden, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and
Uruguay.
Note: (2) All travellers must be in possession of onward or return
tickets; alternatively, evidence that sufficient funds are available
to purchase a return ticket to their country of origin will be
sufficient, providing a satisfactory reason for not having an
onward or return ticket is also given.
Types of visa: Tourist, Business, Transit (required by all
passengers in transit). A fee may be charged if visa is not applied
for personally.
Validity: Tourist visas valid for up to 90 days. For an extension of
this period apply in Brazil. Tourists are not allowed to work in
Brazil.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy). For
addresses, see top of entry.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Application form.
(c) Sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (d) 1 photo.
Note: Visitors on business require a letter from their firm giving
full details and confirming financial responsibility for the
applicant. Visas will not be granted if the validity of the passport
expires within 6 months.
Working days required: 3 clear days.
Temporary residence: Apply to Consulate.

BRAZIL Money
=============================================================Page: 1 of 2====
Currency: 1 Cruzeiro = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations
of 1000, 100 and 10 Cruzeiro. Coins are in denominations of 5 and
1 Cruzeiro and 50, 20, 10 and 1 centavos. The Cruzeiro superseded
the Cruzado in March 1990, and is not to be confused with the
pre-1986 Cruzeiro which is not legal tender.
Currency exchange: All banks and cambios exchange recognised
travellers cheques and foreign currency, but there is also a
flourishing black market trade in foreign currency which offers
about 20% above the official rate. This is strictly illegal in Brazil.

Credit cards: Access/Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club
and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit card company for
details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be
available.
Travellers cheques: Tourists cannot exchange US travellers
cheques for US banknotes but they can, however, benefit from a
15% discount when paying hotel or restaurant bills in foreign

BRAZIL Money
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currency or travellers cheques.

Exchange rate indicators: There are frequent currency changes
and no stable exchange rate indicators can be given at present. In
October 1990 the value of the Cruzeiro against Sterling and the
US Dollar was as follows:
UKL1= 178.41
$1.00= 91.32

Currency restrictions: Free import and export of local currency.
Free import of foreign currency, subject to declaration. Free
export of foreign currency up to the amount declared.

Banking hours: 1000-1600 Monday to Friday.

BRAZIL Duty Free
=============================================================Page: 1 of 1====
The following goods may be taken into Brazil without incurring
any duty:
400 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 25 cigars;
2 litres of spirits;
280g of perfume.
Prohibited goods: meat and cheese products from various
countries; contact the Embassy for details. The total value of
imported goods may not exceed US$300.

BRAZIL Public Holidays
=============================================================Page: 1 of 2====
Public holidays observed in Brazil are as follows:
Mar 29-Apr 1 '91 Easter. Apr 21 Tiradentes Day. May 1 Labour
Day. May 30 Corpus Christi. Sep 7 '91 Independence Day. Oct 12
Nossa Senhora de Aparecida. Nov 2 All Souls Day. Nov 15
Proclamation of the Republic. Dec 25/26 Christmas. Jan 1 '92 New
Year's Day. Jan 20 Foundation of Rio de Janeiro. Jan 25
Foundation of Sao Paolo. Feb* Carnival. Apr 17 Good Friday.
Apr 20 Easter Monday. Apr 21 Tiradentes Day. May 1 Labour
Day. Jun 18 Corpus Christi.
(*) Check with the Information office for exact dates.

Note: It is government policy in Brazil for certain holidays to be
taken on Monday if those holidays fall during the week; however,
the church wishes to continue holding festivals on the traditional
days. If plans are likely to be affected by such a holiday it is
advisable to check the situation with the Information Office
before travelling. Please note also that as four of the traditional

BRAZIL Public Holidays
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holidays are fixed by municipalities there may be some variation
from region to region.

BRAZIL Health
=============================================================Page: 1 of 3====
PRECAUTIONS CERTIFICATE
ADVISED? REQUIRED?
--------- ---------
Yellow Fever 1 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid/Polio Yes -
Malaria 2 -
Food/Drink 3 -
(1): A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 6
months of age arriving from infected regions. Vaccination is strongly
recommended for those intending to visit rural areas in Acre, Amazonas,
Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Matto Gross do Sul, Para and Rondonia
States and the Territories of Amapa and Roraima.
(2): Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 900m in Acre and
Rondonia States, in the Territories of Amapa and Roraima, and in some
rural areas in Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso and Para States.
The malignant falciparum form of the disease is reportedly highly

BRAZIL Health
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resistant to both chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethane.
(3): All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water
used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been
boiled or otherwise sterilised. Pasteurised milk and cheese is available in
towns and is generally considered safe to consume. Milk outside of urban
areas is unpasteurised and should be boiled; powdered or tinned milk is
available and is advised in rural areas, but make sure that it is
reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to
have been made from local milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish,
preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased
risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten abroad seek medical advice
without delay.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and
paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well-
chlorinated and maintained are safe.

BRAZIL Health
=============================================================Page: 3 of 3====
Health care: English-speaking medical staff are found mainly in
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The main hospital in Sao Paulo is
the Hospital Samaritano. Full insurance is recommended as
medical costs are high.

BRAZIL Travel
=============================================================Page: 1 of 7====
=== INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ===
AIR: Brazil's main international airline is Varig (RG).
Approximate flight times: From London to Rio de Janeiro is 10
hours 50 minutes and to Sao Paulo is 11 hours.
>From Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro is 13 hours 55 minutes.
>From New York to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours 10 minutes.
>From Sydney to Rio de Janeiro is 19 hours 55 minutes.
International airports: Rio de Janeiro (Galeao) (GIG), 20km (12.5
miles) northwest of city. There are regular bus services between
the International and Santa Dumont airports, and into the city.
Airport facilities include car parking, duty free shop, banking,
restaurant.
Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) (GRU) 25km (15 miles) northeast of the
city. Regular bus and taxi services. Airport facilities include duty
free shops and restaurants.
Sao Paulo (Viracopos) (VCP), 96km (60 miles) southwest of the
city. Airport facilities include banking, a duty free shop and a

BRAZIL Travel
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restaurant.
Sao Paulo (Congonhas) (CGH), 14km (8 miles) from the city.
Manaus (Internacional Eduardo Gomes) (MAO), 14km (9 miles)
southeast of city. There are coach services into the city and to
other destinations.
Salvador (Dois de Julho) (SSA), 36km (22 miles) from the city. 24-
hour taxi facilities are available. Airport facilities include banking,
a duty-free shop and a restaurant.
Note: Brasilia does not have an international airport. All
connections are made via Rio de Janeiro. Bus and taxi services are
available to all cities.
Departure tax: US$10.00 is levied on international departures.

SEA: Passenger cruises from Europe run by Lamport and Holt
lines. Other cruise lines, some of which also organise cruises
down the Amazon are Lindblad Travel, Delta, Costa, Society
Expeditions.

BRAZIL Travel
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RAIL: Limited rail services link Brazil with Bolivia and Uruguay.
For details contact Brazilian Tourist Office.

ROAD: It is possible to drive or take a bus to Brazil from the USA
but it is wise to check any changes in political status or
requirements in Central America before travelling. TEPSA buses
from Brazil connect through other Central American countries
with the USA bus network. Pluma, based in Curitiba, operates the
4300km (2700 mile) route from Rio to Santiago de Chile, and
Soletur operates other international routes from Rio. For further
information contact the Brazilian Tourist Office.
Documentation: International Driving Permit required. This must
be validated by Automovel Club de Brazil.

=== INTERNAL TRAVEL ===
AIR: There is a shuttle service between Sao Paulo and Rio de

BRAZIL Travel
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Janeiro, a regular service from Sao Paulo to Brasilia, and a
shuttle service from Brasilia to Belo Horizonte. There are air
services between all Brazilian cities, Brazil having one of the
largest internal air networks in the world. At weekends it is
advisable to book seats as the services are much used. Air taxis are
available between all major centres.

SEA/RIVER: Ferries serve all coastal ports. River transport is the
most efficient method for the Amazon delta.

RAIL: Limited rail connections to most major cities and towns, but
there has been a substantial decline in the provision of long-
distance services. Because of the great distances and the climate,
some of these journeys can be uncomfortable. Daytime and
overnight trains with restaurant and sleeping-cars link Sao Paulo
and Rio de Janeiro.

BRAZIL Travel
=============================================================Page: 5 of 7====
ROAD: Brazil has 1,400,000km (900,000 miles) of roads. Bus:
Inter-urban transport is very much road based (accounting for
97% of travellers) compared with air (2.2%) and rail (less than
1%). High quality coaches have been increasingly introduced on
the main routes, which are well served. Operators include:
Cometa, which operates between Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte;
Penha (Sao Paulo-Porto Alegre); Reunidas (Sao Paulo-
Aracatuba); Motta (Sao Paulo-Campo Grande); Garcia (Sao
Paulo-Londrina); Real-Expresso (Sao Paulo-Rio-Brasilia);
TransBrasiliana (Rio-Belem); Sulamericana (Curitiba-Foz do
Iguazu); and Expresso Brasileiro (Sao Paulo-Rio). Services
connect all inhabited parts of the country. Standards and time-
tables vary, and the visitor must be prepared for overnight stops
and long waits between connecting stages. Car hire: Available in
all major centres. Traffic drives on the right. Parking in cities is
very difficult and it is best to avoid driving through the often
congested city areas if at all possible.

BRAZIL Travel
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Documentation: International Driving Licence required. A foreign
licence is valid for six months, although a certificate of validity
must be obtained from the Brazilian driving authorities.

URBAN: There are extensive bus services in all the main centres,
often with express 'executivo' at premium fares run by air-
conditioned coaches. Rio and Sao Paulo both have two-line
metros and local rail lines, and there are trolleybuses in Sao Paulo
and a number of other cities. Trolleybuses are increasingly being
introduced as an energy-saving measure. Fares are generally
regulated with interchange possible between some bus and
metro/rail lines, for instance on the feeder bus linking the Rio
metro with Copacabana. Taxis: In most cities these are identified
by red number plates, and are fitted with meters. Willingness
immediately to accept a taxi-driver's advice on where to go or
where to stay should be tempered by the knowledge that places to
which he takes a visitor are more than likely to give him a

BRAZIL Travel
=============================================================Page: 7 of 7====
commission - and the highest commissions will usually come from
the most expensive places.

JOURNEY TIMES: The following chart gives approximate
journey times (in hours and minutes) from Brasilia to other major
cities/towns in Brazil.
Air
Belo Horizonte 1.00
Sao Paulo 1.20
Rio de Janeiro 1.25
Porto Alegre 2.20
Manaus 2.30
Foz do Iguazu 3.25

BRAZIL Accommodations
=============================================================Page: 1 of 3====
HOTELS: Accommodation varies according to region. First class
accommodation is, by and large, restricted to the cities of the
south. The national hotel association is EMBRATUR (Empresa
Brasileira de Turismo) Rua Mariz e Barros 13, 12~ andar, 20 270
Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Tel: (021) 293 1313. Telex: (21) 21066.
Note: Accommodation for Carnival time should be booked well in
advance.
Rio de Janeiro/Sao Paulo: Many modern hotels, ranging from the
very expensive deluxe hotels to moderate priced hotels. It is vital
to pre-book well in advance for the Carnival.
Brasilia: Small number of good hotels. Most tourists visit Brasilia
by air from Rio or Sao Paulo for a day trip, or make a single night
stopover. The city is used only for national administration.
Bahia (Salvador): Small number of good hotels, some moderately
priced hotels, several demi-pensions.
Amazon Basin: This region is being developed in part as a tourist
attraction. Grading: In 1979 the Federal Tourist Authority began

BRAZIL Accommodations
=============================================================Page: 2 of 3====
introducing a star range system for hotels. It is now used by most
establishments in towns. The classification is not, however, the
standard used in Europe and North America. 5-star is the grade
for de luxe hotels. 3-star hotels are good value for money and
offer well kept accommodation, whilst a 1-star hotel can only
offer basic amenities.
Visitors are reminded that hotel tariffs are subject to alteration at
any time, and are liable to fluctuate according to changes in the
exchange rate.
Note: The best guide to hotels in Brazil is the Guia do Brasil
Quatro Rodas, which includes maps.
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Cars may be hired, and camping
arranged on safari tours or group 'exploration' trips in the
Amazon region. The road network in Brazil is good and is being
expanded, but since many parts of Brazil are wild, or semi-
explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with
organised groups under supervision and with official permits, or

BRAZIL Accommodations
=============================================================Page: 3 of 3====
otherwise to stay in recognised hotels. The country is peaceful, but
because it is so large there is a real danger of getting lost, or being
injured or killed by natural accident or lack of local knowledge of
survival.
Those with an 'international camper's card' pay only half the rate
of a non-member (about US$4 per person). The Camping Club do
Brasil has 43 sites in 13 states. For those on a low budget, service
stations can be used as camping sites. These are equipped with
shower facilities and can supply food.

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 1 of 6====
For the purposes of this section, the country has been divided into
five regions: the northern, the northeastern, the west-central, the
southeastern and the southern.
The Northern Region
The states of Amazonas, Para, Acre and Rondonia cover an area
of more than 3,400,000 sq km (1,300,000 million sq miles) but have
a combined population of little more than 6 000,000. Almost
entirely covered with thick rain forest, the north of Brazil is
known as the 'exotic Amazon' and is an area where nature
prevails over all else (except, perhaps, the slash-and-burn
agriculturalists and road-builders).
Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas. It contains the
Amazonas theatre, with a majestic neo-classical facade, a number
of fine restaurants and hotels and a free trade zone which is
excellent for cheap shopping. The Amazon river and its tributaries
are ideal for boat excursions, and also offer excellent angling.
Belem has a splendid park and market as well as many fine

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 2 of 6====
churches. The Goeldi Museum contains the largest collection of
tropical plants in the world. Maray's Island is the cradle of the
Marajoara civilisation; Santarem, Rio Branco and Porto Velho
are also all worth a visit.
The Northeastern Region
Known as the 'Golden Coast', this region contains the states of
Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do
Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao. It covers nearly 1,600,000 sq
km (600,000 sq miles) and has a population of 35 million. The area
is distinctive for its historical and folkloric traditions, as well as
for its many beautiful beaches.
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, contains the beautiful arts and
crafts market of the Mercado Modelo. The number and variety of
churches in Salvador is staggering; some of the best include the
convent of Sao Francisco de Assis and the church of Nosso Senhor
do Bonfim. Salvador is also renowned for its museums, some of
which are converted churches. The area around the city also has

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 3 of 6====
many excellent beaches. The towns of Ilheus, Porto Seguro, and
Aracaju all have fine churches and colonial architecture worth
visiting. Recife, known as the 'Venice of Brazil' on account of the
canals and waterways which criss-cross the city, is also well
endowed with churches. Olinda, Caruaru, Natal, Fortaleza,
Teresina and Sao Luis are also notable for their architecture,
craftworkers and fine beaches.
The West Central Region
An area of huge marshes traversed by the Araguaia River, it
consists of the states of Goias, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do
Sul. It covers as area of 1,900,000 million sq km (730,000 sq miles)
and has a population of nearly eight million. The region is best
known for its pleasant climate, and for its huge cattle ranches and
plantations.
Brasilia, (which was built miles from anywhere on specially
flattened Amazonian rainforest) is known worldwide for its
futuristic architecture, which is most notable in the Praca dos Tres

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 4 of 6====
Poderes, Palacio do Planalto, and The National Congress.
Goias, 200km (120 miles) to the west, serves as a jumping off point
for tourists visiting the Araguaia River, Bananal Island and the
thermal springs of Caldas Novas. Mato Grosso is the gateway to
the Pantanal, which is Brazil's largest ecological reserve where
farm-hotels house tourists and organise fishing trips and
photographic excursions.
The Southeast Region
This comprises the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas
Gerais and Espirito Santo. It covers an area of more than 900,000
sq km (350,000 sq miles) and has a population of nearly 53 million.
It is the country's most developed region and offers the best
tourist facilities, including a wide variety of scenic and historic
resorts.
Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Renowned for its excellent beaches, such as Copacabana and
Ipanema, the city is chiefly known for its world famous carnival.

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 5 of 6====
Sao Paulo is famed throughout the continent for its night-life and
its shopping facilities. The gold boom in Minas Gerais during the
18th century produced a number of historic towns, the most
famous being Ouro Preto. The southeast region has a number of
spas, known for their marvellous climate and mineral water; all
are well equipped to accommodate the traveller, Petropolis,
Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo are but a few of these.
The Southern Region
This consists of three states, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina
and Parana, covering an area of over 570,000 sq km (220,000 sq
miles). The ideal climate has made this region the most popular
among European immigrants.
Rio Grande do Sul is one of the richest states in Brazil, and is
equipped with good tourist facilities. Porto Alegre, its capital,
offers the visitor fine museums and art centres as well as
delightful surrounding countryside. The most popular beaches in
this area are the Tramandai and Torres, respectively 126km (78

BRAZIL Resorts & Excursions
=============================================================Page: 6 of 6====
miles) and 209km (130 miles) from Porto Alegre. The Gramado
and Canela mountains are also popular with tourists. The state of
Santa Catarina, with its island capital of Florianopolis, also has
fine beaches at Laguna, Itapena and Camburu. Parana is a prime
coffee producing state. The train journey between its capital
Curitiba and Paranagua is a sightseeing must, as is Vila Velha (the
City of Stone) and - most famous of all - the Foz do Iguacu
(Iguazu Falls), the massive waterfalls on the border with
Argentina and Paraguay.

BRAZIL Leisure
=============================================================Page: 1 of 5====
FOOD & DRINK: Many regional variations which are very
different from North American and European food. One example
is Bahian cookery, derived from days when slaves had to cook
scraps and anything that could be caught locally, together with
coconut milk and palm oil. Specialities include vatapa (shrimps,
fish oil and coconut milk, bread and rice), sarapatel (liver, heart,
tomatoes, peppers, onion and gravy), caruru (shrimps, okra,
onions and peppers). From Rio Grande do Sul comes churrasco
(barbecued beef, tomato and onion sauce), galleto al primo canto
(pieces of cockerel cooked on the spit with white wine and oil).
>From Amazon comes pato no tucupi (duck in rich wild green herb
sauce), tacaca thick yellow soup with shrimps and garlic). In the
northeast dried salted meat and beans are the staple diet. In Rio
de Janeiro a favourite dish is feijoada (thick stew of black beans,
chunks of beef, pork, sausage, chops, pigs' ears and tails on white
rice, boiled green vegetables and orange slices). Types of
establishments vary. Table service is usual in most restaurants

BRAZIL Leisure
=============================================================Page: 2 of 5====
and cafes. If resident in a hotel, drinks and meals can often be
charged to account. Drink: All kinds of alcoholic drink are
manufactured and available and there are no licensing hours or
restrictions on drinking. Beer is particularly good and draught
beer is called chopp. Local liqueur is cachaca, local equivalent of
whisky popular with locals but not so much with visitors.
Southern Brazilian wine is of a high quality. Some bars have
waiters and table service.

NIGHTLIFE: The best entertainment occurs in Rio de Janeiro and
Sao Paulo. In Rio the major clubs do not present their main acts
until after midnight and the daily paper gives current
information; small clubs (boites) provide nightly entertainment
throughout the city. Sao Paulo nightlife is more sophisticated,
with greater choice; the shows tend to start earlier.

SHOPPING: In Rio and Sao Paulo major shops and markets stay

BRAZIL Leisure
=============================================================Page: 3 of 5====
open quite late in the evening. Rio and Bahia specialise in antiques
and jewellery. Special purchases include: gems (particularly
emeralds), jewellery (particularly silver), souvenirs and
permissible antiques, leather or snakeskin goods. Fashions and
antiques, crystal and pottery is a speciality of Sao Paulo. Belem,
the city of the Amazon valley, specialises in jungle items, but be
careful that you are not purchasing objects that have been
plundered from the jungle, contributing to the general
destruction. Check for restrictions on import to your home
country of goods made from skins of protected species. Shopping
hours: 0900-1700 Monday to Friday; 0900-1230 Saturday. Most
department stores close at 2200. All the above times are subject to
local variations and many shops open until late in the evenings.

SPORT: Association football is the national obsession, the
national team having won the World Cup on three occasions. Ball
games and athletics are also popular. Capoeira, a martial art,

BRAZIL Leisure
=============================================================Page: 4 of 5====
was developed by black slaves in colonial times disguised as a
dance to an African musical rhythm. Mountain climbing, hang-
gliding and racing are popular, and safari trips are available to
the Mato Grosso or the Amazon jungle; big game hunting is,
however, now illegal. Waterskiing and underwater diving clubs
exist all along the coastline. Both deep sea and river fishing are
available.

SPECIAL EVENTS: There are a number of lavish festivals
throughout the year in Brazil, the two most notable being Bahia's
carnival just after Christmas (from December to March) and the
carnival in Rio de Janeiro (February), widely regarded as the most
spectacular and extravagant in the world. For details of exact
dates, contact the Tourist Information Office.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Handshaking customary on meeting
and taking one's leave, and normal European courtesies are
observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary.

BRAZIL Leisure
=============================================================Page: 5 of 5====
Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for
a meal. A souvenir from the visitor's home country will be well-
received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal
particularly during hot weather. In night clubs casual-smart (eg
blazer, no tie) is acceptable. For more formal occasions the mode
of dress will be indicated on invitations. Smoking is acceptable
unless notified. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the
community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor.

Tipping: 10% is usual for most services not included on the bill.

BRAZIL Business, Economy & Social Customs
=============================================================Page: 1 of 5====
ECONOMY: Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, whilst her
economy has the tenth highest aggregate national product in the
world. Although agriculture remains the largest sector in terms of
employment, there are well-developed mineral and
manufacturing industries. Brazil is the world's second largest
exporter of agricultural products, principally coffee, sugar,
soyabeans, orange juice, beef poultry and cocoa. Sisal, tobacco,
maize and cotton are also produced. Orange juice and coffee are
key export earners. Industrial production is concentrated in
machinery, electrical goods, construction materials, rubber and
chemicals and vehicle production. The large steel industry has
experienced bad times due to the fall in world demand and
objections by foreign governments to Brazil's protectionist
policies (which have been relaxed appreciably since 1988). Vast
mineral reserves include iron ore, of which Brazil is the world's
largest exporter, bauxite (the ore from which aluminium is
produced), gold, titanium, manganese, copper, and tin which is

BRAZIL Business, Economy & Social Customs
=============================================================Page: 2 of 5====
rapidly assuming considerable economic importance. New
deposits are discovered almost daily. Oil discoveries have also
grown rapidly, although Brazil still imports most of its oil,
principally from Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Natural resources are the
basis of Brazil's substantial trade surplus of $9 billion (on total
exports of $27 billion - 1987 figures): the US, Japan and the EC are
the main destinations for Brazilian exports. Despite its healthy
trade surplus, the Brazilian economy has experienced
considerable difficulty during the 1980s through the familiar
South American problems of hyper-inflation and enormous
overseas debts. On several occasions the government seemed to
have brought inflation under control, albeit at the cost of slowing
economic growth, but each time their efforts were frustrated as
the pressures which built up within the system burst out into a
new spiral of price and wage increases. In 1988, in apparent
frustration, the Brazilian government announced a unilateral
moratorium on debt and interest repayments to commercial

BRAZIL Business, Economy & Social Customs
=============================================================Page: 3 of 5====
banks: 12 months later, the government realised the policy had
been a costly mistake, and resumed rescheduling negotiations
with the banks. By the time President Sarney left office at the end
of 1989, a solution to Brazil's economic woes seemed as elusive as
ever. His successor, Fernando Collor do Mello, adopted a novel
and unique method of economic management. His aim was, quite
literally, to remove inflation from the financial system - by
removing a large proportion of the money in the economy.
Personal bank deposits were frozen. The population was, for the
most part, too stunned to object too strenuously. Collor do
Mello's strategy - the 'Novo Plan' - also included more orthodox
measures such as a reduction in public spending, privatisation of
state-owned industries and an overhaul of the tax system. By the
autumn of 1990, the economy was showing signs of genuine
recovery. In the longer term, most Brazilians feel that the best
prospects for economic development lie in the exploitation of the
interior, and in particular the rain forests. However, unrestrained

BRAZIL Business, Economy & Social Customs
=============================================================Page: 4 of 5====
development is no longer politically possible given the strength of
opposition both within the country and internationally. Of
interest here is a novel agreement signed between the British and
Brazilian governments to create a more ecologically sensitive
approach to rain forest development, involving aid and technical
assistance. (This may become a pattern for future aid packages to
the Third World). Despite its problems, many observers are
optimistic about Brazil's economic prospects, once improved
industrial efficiency, careful fiscal management and a sound
relationship with overseas creditors have taken root.

BUSINESS: Business suits are worn when meeting senior officials
and local heads of business, for semi-formal social functions and
in exclusive restaurants and clubs. Exchange of calling cards is
usual as is the expectation of dealing with someone of equal
business status. Office hours: 0900-1800 Monday to Friday.

BRAZIL Business, Economy & Social Customs
=============================================================Page: 5 of 5====
COMMERCIAL INFORMATION: The following organisation
can offer advice: Confederacao Nacional do Comercio, SCS,
Edif. Presidente Dutra, 4 andar, Quadra 11, 70237 Brasilia, DF.

BRAZIL Country Profile (History, Government)
=============================================================Page: 1 of 3====
HISTORY: Brazil was first explored in 1500 by the Spanish
navigator Vincente Yanez Pinzon, and later by the Portuguese
Admiral Pedro Alvares Cabral. The country was colonized later
that century. Until the arrival of Jesuit missionaries, plantation
owners freely exploited the local inhabitants as slaves. Brazil
achieved independence in 1822 with Don Pedro as Constitutional
Emperor and Perpetual Defender. The country was declared a
republic when Don Pedro was dethroned in 1889, after which it
was placed under military rule. Since that date military leaders
have played an influential role in the politics of Brazil. From 1964-
85 Brazil was under military rule. Pressure for a return to civilian
rule gathered momentum during the early 1980s, particularly
after the military ceded power in neighbouring Argentina in 1983.
The army consented and at the election held in January 1985,
Tancredo Neves, a former prime minister and latterly a state
governor, became Brazil's first civilian president for 21 years.
Neves was the candidate of a liberal alliance formed around the

BRAZIL Country Profile (History, Government)
=============================================================Page: 2 of 3====
country's main opposition party at the time, the Partido do
Movimento Democratico Brasileiro, but which also included
dissidents from the then ruling (and now opposition) Partido
Democratico Social. Neves died before he was able to take office
and was replaced by the deputy president-designate, Jose Sarney.
Initial pessimism about the prospects for this little known and
rather colourless figure was shown to be ill-founded as Sarney
successfully guided the country through the tricky period of
transition between military and civilian rule which many South
American countries are now negotiating. A new democratic
constitution was drafted and implemented, but the economic
problems which dominated his term in office defied solution
despite some temporary successes against inflation. The next
presidential election, held in late 1989, was a straight fight
between two candidates: the Conservative Fernando Collor de
Mello and the trades unionist Luis Inacio da Silva (known as
Lula), standing for the Workers Party. Fernando Collor eventually

BRAZIL Country Profile (History, Government)
=============================================================Page: 3 of 3====
won the close-fought poll and immediately set about tackling
Brazil's serious economic problems (see Economy section above).
Once the details of his extraordinary economic experiment
became apparent, there was widespread concern that the new
government would be unable to weather the political storm which
seemed sure to follow. In the event, it never happened - it seemed
almost as if the Brazilian people were too astonished to react in
opposition.
GOVERNMENT: The 1969 constitution, under which the country
was administered as a federal republic with a governor and
elected legislature for each state, may be reformed shortly in
accordance with promises made by Neves.
===============================================================================

BRAZIL Climate
=============================================================Page: 1 of 1====
Varies from arid scrubland in interior to impassable tropical
rainforests of the northerly Amazon jungle and the tropical
eastern coastal beaches. The south is more temperate. Rainy
seasons occur from January to April in the north, April to July in
the northeast and November to March in the Rio/Sao Paulo area.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with
waterproofing for rainy season (November-March). Warm
clothing needed in south during winter (June-July). Specialist
clothing needed for Amazon region. Warm clothing is advised if
visiting the southern regions in winter time.

From wal...@m2xenix.psg.com Fri Jul 31 20:32:45 1992
From: wal...@psg.com (Walter Morales)
To: ma...@ssd.comm.mot.com
Date: Fri Jul 31 18:31:26 1992

KEY FACTS - BRAZIL

Official title: Federative Republic of Brazil
Head of state: President Fernando Collor de Mello
Ruling party: National Reconstruction Party (PRN)
Capital: Brasilia
Official languages: Portuguese
Currency: Cruzeiro (Cz)
Exchange rate: new Cz170.7 per $ (Dec 1990)
Area: 8,511,965 sq km
Population: 147m (1989)
GDP per capita: $2,449 (1988)
GDP real growth: 3.6% (1989)
Inflation: 1,287% (1989)
Trade balance: $14,390m (1989)
Foreign debt: $114.6bn (1989)
* = estimated figure

KEY INDICATORS - BRAZIL

Unit 1987 1988 1989
Population m 141.5 144.4 147.3
GDP (1985 prices) Cz bn 1575.0 1575.2 1631.9
GDP per capita (current $) $ 2,020 2,449
Inflation % 230 683 1,287
GDP real growth % 3.6 3.6
Agricultural production 1979-81=100 128.1 127.4
Sugar-cane m tonnes 273.9 -
Oranges m tonnes 15.0 -
Industrial production 1980=100 111 107 111
Manufacturing growth rate % 1.0 -3.4 2.9
Mining sector growth rate % -0.7 0.4 3.9
Crude oil output m b 216.2 211.6
Crude steel output '000 tonnes 22,224 24,612 26,112
Exports $m 26,225 33,783 34,406
* = estimated figure
Coffee $m 1,959 1,998 1,610
Soybeans & products $m 2,325 3,046 3,648
Iron-ore $m 1,615 1,892 2,233
Imports $m 16,581 16,055 20,016
Petroleum $m 4,724 4,103 4,327
Balance of trade $m 11,158 19,168 14,390
Current account $m -1,450 4,159
Exchange rate new Cz per $ 0.03923 0.26238 2.834
* = estimated figure

POLITICAL SYSTEM - BRAZIL

Federal republic of 24 states, three federal territories and one federal
district. Executive power is exercised by the president (currently serving a
six-year term, though there are plans to shorten it to four) aided by the
ministers of state. The legislature is the bicameral National Congress
consisting of the Federal Senate (75 members, two-thirds directly elected,
one-third indirectly; members elected in rotation, for eight years) and the
Chamber of Deputies (490 members directly elected from constituencies for
period of four years). Constitutional reorganisation in process, giving
congress greater control over financial policy and approval of presidential
decrees.

MAIN CITIES/TOWNS - BRAZIL Brasilia (population about 1.4m), Sao Paulo (10.8m), Rio de Janeiro (7m), Belo
Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Recife, Belem, Salvador, Manaus.

MEDIA - BRAZIL
Press
Around 250 daily newspapers with a combined circulation of under 5m. Due to
distribution difficulties in such a large country there are no national
dailies. However, numerous regional papers are published. Main US and European
newspapers available in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brazil Herald
(circulation 18,000) incorporating Daily Post is only local English language
daily. Main papers are O Dia (261,653), Jornal do Brasil (170,151), O Globo
(266,569) and Jornal do Comercio (in Rio de Janeiro, 31,000) and O Estado de
Sao Paulo (222,173), Folha de Sao Paulo (283,048), Gazeta Mercantil (leading
business paper, 80,000), Jornal da Tarde (100,151), Diario Popular (90,000) and
Diario do Comercio e Industria (50,000). Numerous periodicals are also
available.
Broadcasting
Over 1,000 radio stations (including AM, FM, SW and Tropical Wave) and 127 TV
stations. Satellite connection with rest of world.

EXTERNAL TRADE - BRAZIL Record trade surplus of over $19bn achieved in 1988 owing to high level of
exports (particularly coffee, soya, orange juice, textiles, paper,
metallurgical products, footwear, chemicals and oil derivatives) and sharp
reduction in oil and capital goods imports. There is, however, a continuing
heavy debt interest payment burden leading to large services deficit.
Exports
Coffee (10% of 1986 total), steel and products (8-9%), capital goods (8-9%),
soya (7%), textiles/footwear (7-8%), iron ore (7%), transport materials (6-7%),
fuel/lubricants (6-7%), chemicals (5-6%).
Main destinations: USA (23.3% of 1989 total), Netherlands (7.8%), Japan
(6.7%), Italy (4.8%), Germany (FRG) (4.6%), Middle East (3.9%), France (2.7%),
UK (2-3%), Argentina (2.1%).
Imports
Mineral fuels and products (49% of 1985 total), machinery and electrical
equipment (15%), chemicals (11%), vegetable products (7%), transport materials
(4%).
Main sources are USA (20.9% of 1989 total), Middle East (20%), Iraq (8.4%),
Germany (FRG) (7.3%), Japan (6.6%), Syria (3.7%), Argentina (3.5%).

AGRICULTURE - BRAZIL
Sector contributes 10 per cent to GDP and accounts for around 35 per cent of
exports. Only 20 per cent of arable land is cultivated and large-scale farming
is concentrated in the south and south-east of the country. Major agricultural
exports are coffee (world's largest producer and exporter), sugar-cane (world's
largest producer and exporter - used domestically as an important source of
alternative energy through the production of fuel alcohol), soya (world's
second largest producer after USA), orange juice (supplies 85 per cent of world
market for orange juice concentrates), tobacco, cocoa, cotton, butter, maize
and cattle (around 10 per cent of total world trade). Domestic production of
wheat accounts for less than a third of consumption, but Brazil is otherwise
virtually self-sufficient in food production. Selective channelling of credits
towards export-oriented crops has also led to serious decline in production of
staple foods, such as rice, potatoes, beans, cassava, sorghum and maize.
Government pricing and taxation policies coupled with a lack of agrarian land
reform have dampened activity in the sector. Fishing (cod, crab, lobsters and
shrimps) is an important source of food, and the sector is being developed with
exports of fish products becoming important in recent years. Brazil's timber reserves are estimated to be third-largest in the world. Softwoods
(particularly parana pine and eucalyptus) are grown in the southern regions and
mainly supply local pulp and paper industry, while hardwoods are felled for
export. Most of the country's woods are used primarily as fuel.

INDUSTRY - BRAZIL

Sector is well developed with manufacturing contributing over 27 per cent to
GDP and industrial goods accounting for around 60 per cent of exports. The role
of the government in manufacturing is substantial with the state accounting for
more than two-thirds of the activity in the sector. Production is concentrated
on capital goods, construction materials, chemicals and petrochemicals,
smelting (steel and non-ferrous metals), rubber, motor vehicles, sugar and wood
processing. Technologically based industries have seen rapid growth, especially
the electronics and information processing sectors. However, traditional
industries such as textiles and clothing, beverages and food processing remain
important and continue to account for around 50 per cent of total output.
Activity is largely centred in the south-east, especially around Sao Paulo.
Emphasis has been on encouraging large private companies to diversify into
local manufacture of consumer and capital goods for the domestic market.
Industrial production slumped during period 1980-83 after almost a decade of
sustained growth. Relaxing of government's austerity programme and upturn in
export demand led to marked improvement in capital goods and intermediate goods
industries during 1984-86. Domestic demand for consumer goods was high in 1985
and substantial growth was also recorded in this sector after several static
years but domestic demand was sharply cut back in 1987 and industrial growth
weakened rapidly. Reduced demand and investment have led to static or negative
growth in production of steel, machinery, durable goods and electronics in
1989.

MINING - BRAZIL
Vast mineral resources, particularly in states of Para, Minas Gerais and
Rondonia. Major world producer and exporter of iron ore and bauxite. Other
minerals produced are manganese, coal, zinc, nickel, lead, copper, cadmium,
cobalt, chrome, gold and tin. In addition, there are abundant reserves of
gypsum, titanium, phosphates, platinum, beryllium, precious and semi-precious
stones, thorium and zirconium. Important developments are the opening of the
Grande Caraja mine, which is estimated to hold the world's largest iron ore
reserves (18bn tonnes), the exploitation of coal resources under the National
Coal Programme (Procarvao) and the expansion of gold production at Nova Lima.

HYDROCARBONS - BRAZIL
Production of crude oil has more than doubled in last four years to around
600,000 b/d, making Brazil the third-largest producer in Latin America. The
rapid growth of domestic production and falling oil prices have led to sharp
fall in value of crude imports. Largest oil fields are Rio Grande Norte,
Sergipe, Bahia, Ceara and Rio de Janeiro (offshore fields account for over 75
per cent of known reserves). Owing to intensified oil exploration and
development, particularly in the offshore Campos Basin, and falling domestic
consumption, self-sufficiency in oil climbed to over 50 per cent in 1989, and
is expected to reach 100 per cent by 1993. National petroleum products industry
supplies 39 per cent of the domestic market. State-owned oil company,
Petrobras, maintains control over exploration and extraction and operates 10
out of 12 oil refineries. Total reserves of crude petroleum estimated at 2.6bn
barrels, but new finds may push this up to 4bn barrels. Exploration work in
Sergipe, Alagoas, Bahia, upper Amazon basin and Campos basin boosted proven
natural gas reserves to over 86bn cu metres. Production of gas has risen to
5.4bn cu metres, the bulk of which is used locally as petrochemical raw
material and as a fuel for steel smelting. First section of north-east gaspipeline (Nordestao) is being completed, to bring gas from Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte to industrial consumers in north-east coastal towns. A complementary 65-km undersea pip
eline from offshore fields is under construction. Plans have also been drawn up to build a 3,000-km pipeline from western Amazonia to the industrial south-east.

ENERGY - BRAZIL
Gradual replacement of oil by hydroelectricity as primary energy source.
Imports of oil and derivatives were equal in volume to domestic production in
1989. Continued expansion of country's vast hydroelectric potential (estimated
at 213,000 MW). Hydroelectric plants currently provide some 92 per cent of
nation's electricity. First and second stage of Itaipu power station (12,600
MW) completed and first stage of giant Tucurui dam operational. Plans to build
17,000 MW power station on Xingu River in Amazon region. Brazil's nuclear
programme has however been sharply reduced due to financial constraints. Angra
I nuclear power plant, which was officially opened in 1985, operates only
intermittently. As a result of the government-sponsored fuel alcohol programme,
Proacool, nearly 85 per cent of all vehicles sold in 1984 were alcohol-powered.
Substitution of alcohol for petroleum was estimated to save Brazil around $2bn
per year in foreign exchange. However, declining oil price has meant that
alcohol is no longer such an attractive alternative to oil and in March 1987
the government suspended its investment in the programme.

MEMBERSHIP OF INT'L ORGANISATIONS - BRAZIL CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, ICAC, ICAO, ICC, ICCO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, Inter-American Development Bank, International Coffee
Organisation, IPU, IR, ISO, ITU, IWC (Wheat), Organisation of American States,
PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, World Bank, WTO.TIME AND

WORKING HOURS - BRAZIL
Time
GMT -3 (except western states including towns of Campo Grande, Corumba, Cuiaba,
Manaus: GMT -4. Fernando de Noronha Islands: GMT -2. Acre: GMT -5.)

Working hours
Government and business
(Mon-Fri) 0900 - 1200; 1400 - 1800. Government departments usually 1100 - 1800.
N.B. In Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo there is no siesta break; in Brasilia
there is a three-hour siesta, 1200 - 1500.
Banking
(Mon-Fri) 1000 - 1600.
Shops
(Mon-Fri) 0900 - 1900, (Sat) 0900 - 1300. Shopping centres (Mon-Sat) 0900 -
2200.

CLIMATE - BRAZIL
Mainly tropical and sub-tropical; particularly humid in Amazon region and along
the coast. Temperate on the southern coast and on the higher lands. Rainy
season in south from Nov-Mar, driest from Jun-Aug. Temperatures in Rio de
Janeiro: winter (Jun-Sep) 14-30 degrees C, summer (Dec-Mar) 20-39 degrees C.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - BRAZIL ==
Passport
Required by all. Passports should be valid for six months beyond the date of
arrival.
Visa
Required by all except nationals of EC countries, Scandinavian countries,
Canada, most South American countries and certain others.
Currency
No restriction on import/export of local currency. Foreign currency import
unlimited but amounts must be declared; export of foreign currency allowed up
to declared amount. Regulations liable to change at short notice. International
credit cards widely used, though cash advances only paid in local currency.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS - BRAZIL
Mandatory
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from infected areas.
Advisable
Yellow fever vaccination essential for visits to infected areas within Brazil;
these include Mato Grosso, Rondonia and states surrounding the Amazon.
Typhoid/paratyphoid and polio vaccinations also recommended. Malaria
prophylaxis advisable for visits to Amazon regions. Water precautions should be
taken.

REPRESENTATION OVERSEAS - BRAZIL
Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Algiers, Ankara, Asuncion, Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok,
Beijing, Beirut, Belgrade, Berne, Bissau, Bogota, Bonn, Bucharest, Budapest,
Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Copenhagen, Dacca, Dakar, Damascus, Gaborone,
Georgetown, Guatemala City, Helsinki, The Hague, Havana, Islamabad, Jakarta,
Jeddah, Kingston, Kinshasa, Kuwait City, Lagos, La Paz, Lima, Lisbon, London,
Luanda, Lusaka, Managua, Manila, Maputo, Mexico City, Monaco, Montevideo,
Moscow, Nairobi, New Delhi, Panama, Paramaribo, Paris, Port-au-Prince, Port of
Spain, Prague, Praia, Pretoria, Oslo, Quito, Rabat, San Jose, San Salvador,
Santiago, Santo Domingo, Seoul, Singapore, Sofia, Stockholm, Tegucigalpa,
Tehran, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Tripoli, Tunis, Vatican City, Vienna, Warsaw,
Washington DC, Yaounde.

AIR ACCESS - BRAZIL
National airline
VARIG (Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense). Cruzeiro and Transbrasil also operate
international flights.
Other airlines
Aeroperu, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Aruba, Air France, Alitalia, American
Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International, Eastern,
Iberia, JAL, KLM, Ladeco, Lan-Chile, LAP, LAB, Lufthansa, Pan Am, Pluna, Royal
Air Maroc, SAS, South African Airways, Swissair, TAM, TAP, TTAG Angola, Vasp,
VIASA.
International airports
Belem-Val de Cans (BEL), 12 km from city; Belo Horizonte-Pampulha (BHZ), 9 km
north of city, restaurant, buffet; Brasilia-International (BSB), 11 km from
city, duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel
reservations, car hire; Confins Internacional (CNF), 45 km north of city;
Manaus-Eduardo Gomes International (MAO), 18 km north of city, duty-free shop,
bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, car hire; Porto
Alegre-Salgado Filho (POA), 8 km from city, restaurant, buffet, bank; Rio de
Janeiro (RIO), 12 km north of city, bar, hotel, taxi, duty-free shop,
restaurant; International-Galeao (GIG), 20 km from Rio, bar, restaurant,
buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel reservations, car hire; Santos Dumont
(SDU), in city centre (air shuttle to Sao Paulo every half hour at peak times);
Salvador-Dois de Julho (SSA), 36 km from city, restaurant, buffet; Sao Paulo
(SAO): Congonhas (CGH), 14 km south-west of city; Guarulhos (GRU), 26 km
north-east of city, restaurant, bank, post office, shops; Viracopos (VCP), 96.5
km north-west of city, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops.

SURFACE ACCESS - BRAZIL
Main ports
Paranagua, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Vitoria. Also numerous smaller
ports including Belem, Tubarao, Santana, Maceio, Sao Sebastiao, Madre de Jesus,
Areia Branca, Rio Grande.
Overland access
Possible by road from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay (e.g. bus services
Curitiba-Asuncion, Porto Alegre-Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires). Rail
links run from Argentina and Uruguay.

HOTELS - BRAZIL
Graded from one to five stars. Wide range available in main towns but sometimes
heavily booked (e.g. during Carnival) and advance booking advisable. Listings
available from local tourist offices. Only five-star hotels are not price
controlled. Service charge usually included in bill, if not 10 per cent tip
usual.

CREDIT CARDS - BRAZIL
Amex, Diners, Mastercard and Visa widely accepted for purchases other than
fuel.

CAR HIRE - BRAZIL
International driving licence required, which must be validated by Automovil
Club do Brasil. Traffic is often congested in main cities. Petrol is of poor
quality and expensive. Service stations are rare on some roads (e.g. Belo
Horizonte-Brasilia) and often closed on Sundays.

CITY TRANSPORT - BRAZIL
Taxis
In Rio de Janeiro several types. So called 'common' taxi (yellow with checkered
stripe), radio taxi (white, with a red and yellow stripe). Mostly metered and
can be hailed. A 40 per cent surcharge operates between 2300 - 0600, on Sundays
and public holidays. Tipping optional.
Buses
Extensive services operate in all main centres. Efficient though crowded. Two
types - regular and special (frescoes).
Metro
Two-line service in Rio de Janeiro. Line one goes from Botafogo Station to
Saenz Pena Station (Tijuca): (Mon-Sat) 0600 - 2300. Line two cuts across the
city's centre, from Estacio Station to the Maria de Graca Station: (Mon-Sat)
0600 - 2000. Also two line network in Sao Paulo. Integrated bus/metro tickets
available.

NATIONAL TRANSPORT - BRAZIL
When travelling between cities on public transport, visitors must carry
passports, as proof of identity is required.
Air
Regular domestic and charter flights to all main cities. Main form of
long-distance travel. Air taxis available at most domestic airports. Advance
booking not necessary for shuttle flights between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo
(about one hour). Main internal airlines are Varig, Cruzeiro, Transbrasil and
Vasp.
Road
All main centres are connected by surfaced highways, particularly good roads in
the north. Many of the local roads are in need of urgent repair. In total
around 1.6m km of roads supervised by the Departamento Nacional de Estradas de
Rodagem (DNER).
Buses
Frequent inter-city services between main centres. Standards are variable
although many routes are now served by modern high quality coaches. Sleeping
berths (leito) available on some routes.

NATIONAL TRANSPORT - BRAZIL
Rail
State and privately owned railways operate limited services to most main
centres throughout country. Service is generally slower than bus and
long-distance travelling can be uncomfortable. Good sleeper services with
restaurant cars operate between Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.
Water
Services on Sao Francisco River between Juazeiro and Pirapora and up the Amazon
to Manaus. Hydrofoil service between Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - BRAZIL
Fixed dates 1 Jan (New Year's Day), 21 Apr (Tiradentes Day), 1 May (Labour Day),
7 Sep (Independence Day), 12 Oct (Our Lady Aparecida, Patroness of Brazil), 2 Nov
(All Souls'Day), 15 Nov (Proclamation of the Republic), 25 Dec (Christmas).
Variable dates
Ascension Day, Corpus Christi.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS - BRAZIL
A 40 per cent tax is added to cost of all international communications.
Telephone Long-distance calls can be made from state telephone company offices,
post offices and hotels. Trunk dialling system linking all main cities. Public
telephone booths (orelhoes) operated by tokens, which can be bought from
newsagents, cafes etc. Dialling code for Brazil: IDD access code + 55 followed
by area code (Belo Horizonte 31, Brasilia 61, Rio de Janeiro 21, Sao Paulo 11)
followed by subscriber's number.
Telex and telegram
Country telex code: BR. Telex messages can be sent from main post offices
during business hours and from hotels at nights and weekends.
Telegrams can be sent over the phone or at post offices and hotels.

POSTAL SERVICE - BRAZIL
Postal charges are high. PO Box (Caixa Postal) address and post code number
should be used when possible.

BANKING - BRAZIL
Central bank
Banco Central do Brasil.
Head offices
Brasilia

Banco do Brasil, Banco Nacional de Credito Cooperativo, Banco Nacional de
Habitacao.

Rio de Janeiro

Asociacao dos Bancos do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Banco Boavista, Banco Bozano
Simonsen de Investimento, Banco Bozano Simonsen, Banco Brascan de Investimento,
Banco do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Banco Internacional, Banco Lar Brasilia
(Chase Manhattan), Banco Mercantil do Brasil, Banco Nacional, Banco Nacional
Brasileiro, Banco Nacional do Desenvolvimento Economico, Banco Novo Rio de
Investimentos, Banco Pinto de Magalhaes, Banco Sul Brasileiro, Unibanco-Banco
de Investimento do Brasil, Unibanco-Uniao dos Bancos Brasileiros.

Sao Paulo

Banco America do Sul, Banco Auxiliar de Sao Paulo, Banco Bamerindus de Sao
Paulo, Banco Bandeirantes, Banco Bradesco de Investimento, Banco Brasileiro de
Descontos, Banco Cidade de Sao Paulo, Banco de Tokyo, Banco de Comercio e
Industria de Sao Paulo, Banespa (Bank of the State of Sao Paulo), Banco do
Estado do Parana, Banco do Grande Sao Paulo, Banco Europeu para a America
Latina, Banco Expansao, Banco F. Barretto, Banco Finasa de Investimento, Banco
Frances e Brasileiro, Banco Geral do Comercio, Banco Itau, Banco Noroeste de
Investimento, Banco Noroeste do Estado de Sao Paulo, Banco Nova America, Banco
Piratinga, Banco Real, Banco Real de Sao Paulo, Banco Regional de
Desinvolvimento do Extremo Sul, Banco Republica, Banco Safra, Banco Safra
Investimentos, Banco Sogeral, Banco Sudameris Brasil, Banco Sumitomo
Brasileiro, Caixa Economica do Estado de Sao Paulo, Casa Bancario F. Matarazzo,
Safra Credito Financiamento e Investimentos, Safra SA Credito Imobiliario,
Sindicato dos Bancos nos Estados de Sao Paulo.

TRADE FAIRS - BRAZIL
Numerous local/regional and some international trade fairs held at Anhembi Park
in Sao Paulo. Since 1977 there has been an international exhibition centre
(Riocenter) at Jacarepagua near Rio de Janeiro. Main international events
are: International Textile Fair (Sao Paulo, Feb/Mar), International Fair of
Office Equipment (Sao Paulo, Sep), International Maritime Exhibition (Rio de
Janeiro, Oct), International Packaging, Paper and Graphic Art Fair (Sao Paulo,
Oct, alternate years).

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY - BRAZIL
110 V AC, 60 cycles (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo), 220-240 V AC, 60 cycles
(Brasilia).

REPRESENTATION IN CAPITAL - BRAZIL
Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia,
Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,
Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,
Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras,
Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua,
Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Suriname,
Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, UK,
Uruguay, USA, USSR, Vatican City, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Yemen, Zaire.

HOTELS: BELEM - BRAZIL

Equatorial Palace, Avenida Braz Aguiar 612 (tel: 227-8855; tx: 1605).

Excelsior Grao Para, Avenida Presidente Vargas 718, 66000 (tel: 222-3255;
tx: 911171; fax: 224-9744).

Hilton, Avenida Presidente Vargas 882, 66020 (tel: 223-6500; tx: 912024;
fax: 226-8761).

Novotel, Avenida Bernardo Sayao 4804, 66000 (tel: 226-8011; tx: 1241).

Selton, Avenida Julio Cesar 1777, Val de Cans, 66000 (tel: 22-2198;
tx: 911585).

HOTELS: BELO HORIZONTE - BRAZIL

Brasilton, BR-381, Km 423.5, Contagem (tel: 351-0900; tx: 311860).

Del Rey, Praca Afonso Arinos 60, 30000 (tel: 273-2211; tx: 311033;
fax: 273-1804).

Othon Palace, Avenida Afonso Pena 1050, 30000 (tel: 226-7844; tx: 312052;
fax: 212-2318).

Real Palace, Espirito Santo 901 (tel: 27-3311; tx: 3733).

HOTELS: BRASILIA - BRAZIL
Carlton, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Q5 lote G, 70300 (tel: 224-8819; tx: 1981).

Das Americas, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Q4 lote D, 70300 (tel: 223-4490;
tx: 611484).

Eron, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Q5 lote A, Plano Piloto (tel: 226-2125;
tx: 611422).

Nacional, Setor Hoteleiro Sul lote A, 70300 (tel: 321-7575; tx: 611062;
fax: 223-9213).

San Maiw, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Q5 lote C (tel: 226-2211; tx: 3744).

Torre Palace, Setor Hoteleiro Norte, Q4, lote A, 70710 (tel: 226-3360;
tx: 611905).

HOTELS: CAMPINAS - BRAZIL

Novotel Campinas-Norte, Via Anhanguera (Norte) Km 104, 13100 (tel: 41-7400;
tx: 1793).

Royal Palm Plaza, 13100, PO Box 96 (tel: 29-085; tx: 191028; fax: 27085).

Villa Rica, Rua Donato Paschoal 100 (tel: 315242; tx: 0191235).

HOTELS: FORTALEZA - BRAZIL

Novotel Magna Fortaleza, Avenida Presidente Kennedy 2380, CEP 60000
(tel: 244-9122; tx: 851868).

HOTELS: LIMEIRA SAO PAULO - BRAZIL

Novotel Limeira, Boulevard de la Loi 601 (tel: 41-8131; tx: 1635).

HOTELS: MACAPA - BRAZIL

Novotel, Avenida Eng Francisco Azarias Neto 17, 68900 (tel: 222-1144;
tx: 1480).

HOTELS: MANAUS - BRAZIL
Novotel, Ave Mandii 4, Grande Rotula Distrito Industrial, CEP 69000
(tel: 237-1211; tx: 2429).

Tropical, Praia da Ponta Negra, 69000 (tel: 238-5757; tx: 922173).

HOTELS: MARILIA SAO PAULO - BRAZIL

Holiday Inn, Rua Aimores 501, 17500 (tel: 335944; tx: 144052).

HOTELS: RECIFE - BRAZIL

Mar, Rua Br de Souza Leao 451, Boa Viagem (tel: 341-5433; tx: (81)1073;
fax: 341-7291).

Miramar, Rua dos Navegantes 363, Boa Viagem (tel: 326-7422; tx: 812139).

Othon Palace, Avenida Boa Viagem 3722, 50000 (tel: 326-7661; tx: 2141).

Recife Palace, Avenida Boa Viagem, 4070 (tel: 325-4044; tx: 4528;
fax: 326-8895).

HOTELS: RIBEIRAO PRETO - BRAZIL

Black Stream, Rua General Osorio 830 (tel: 634-0606).

Holiday Inn, Rua Alvares Cabral 1120 (tel: 625-0186; tx: 6325).

HOTELS: RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL

Atlantico Sul, Avenida Sernambetiba 1800, Recreio (tel: 327-8411; tx: 21813).

Caesar Park Ipanema, Avenida Vieira Souto 460, 22420 (tel: 287-3122; tx: 21204;
fax: 247-7975).

Copacabana Palace, Avenida Atlantica 1702, 22021 (tel: 255-7070; tx: 2122248;
fax: 255-7070).

Everest Rio, Rua Prudente de Morais 1117, 22420 (tel: 287-8282; tx: 2122254).

Excelsior Copacabana, Avenida Atlantica 1800, 22021 (tel: 257-1950;
tx: 2121076; fax: 256-2037).

Gloria, Rua do Russell 632 (tel: 205-7272; tx: 2123623).

Inter-Continental Rio, Avenida Prefeito de Mendes Morais 222, 22600
(tel: 322-2200; tx: 21790; fax: 322-2758).

Lancaster, Avenida Atlantica 1470, 22021 (tel: 541-1887; tx: 37858).

Leme Palace, Avenida Atlantica 656, 22010 (tel: 275-8080; tx: 2123265;
fax: 275-8080).

Luxor Continental, Rua Gustavo Sampaio 320, 22010 (tel: 275-5252; tx: 21469).

Luxor Copacabana, Avenida Atlantica 2554, 22041 (tel: 257-1940; tx: 23971).

Luxor Regente, Avenida Atlantica 3716, 22070 (tel: 287-4212; tx: 23887).

Marina Palace, Rua Delfim Moreira 630, Leblon Beach (tel: 259-5212; tx: 30224).

Meridien Copacabana, Avenida Atlantica 1020 (tel: 275-9922; tx: 23017;
fax: 541-6447).

Miramar Palace, Avenida Atlantica 3668 (tel: 247-6070; tx: 21508).

Nacional Rio, Avenida Niemeyer 769, 22450 (tel: 322-1000; tx: 2123615;
fax: 322-0058).

Ouro Verde, Avenida Atlantica 1456, 22021 (tel: 542-1887; tx: 2123848;
fax: 542-4597).

Praia Ipanema, Avenida Vieira Souto 706 (tel: 239-9932; tx: 31280).

Rio Othon Palace, Avenida Atlantica 3264, 22070 (tel: 255-8812; tx: 2122655;
fax: 521-6697).

Rio Palace, Avenida Atlantica 4240, 22070 (tel: 521-3232; tx: 21803;
fax: 227-1454).

Rio Sheraton, Avenida Niemeyer 121, 22450 (tel: 274-1122; tx: 2123485, 2121206;
fax: 239-5643).

Sol Ipanema, Avenida Vieira Souto 320 (tel: 227-0060; tx: 2121979;
fax: 247-1685).

Trocadero, Avenida Atlantica 2064, 22021 (tel: 257-1834; tx: 37856).

HOTELS: SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS - BRAZIL

Novotel Sao Jose dos Campos, Avenida Dr Nelson d'Avila No 2.200. CEP 12200
(tel: 21-1011; tx: 1233383).

HOTELS: SAO PAULO - BRAZIL

Augusta Boulevard, Rua Augusta 843 (tel: 257-7844; tx: 1121552; fax: 256-4657).

Augusta Palace, Rua Augusta 467 (tel: 266-1277; tx: 37956).

Bourbon, Avenida Vieira de Carvalho 99 (tel: 223-2244; tx: 01132781).

Brasilton Sao Paulo, Rua Martins Fontes 330, CEP 01050 (tel: 258-5811;
tx: 25558; fax: 257-3137).

Bristol, Rua Martins Fontes 277 (tel: 258-0011; tx: 1124734).

Caesar Park, Rua Augusta 1508 (tel: 285-6622; tx: 22539; fax: 288-6146).

Comodoro, Avenida Duque de Caxias 525 (tel: 220-1211; tx: 36261).

Eldorado Boulevard, Avenida Sao Luis 234 (tel: 256-8833; tx: 1122490;
fax: 256-8061).

Eldorado Higienopolis, Rua Marques de Itu 836 (tel: 222-3422; tx: 1130546;
fax: 222-7194).

Excelsior, Avenida Ipiranga 770 (tel: 222-7377; tx: 26187).

Grande Hotel Ca d'Oro, Rua Augusta 129 (tel: 256-8011; tx: 1121765;
fax: 231-0359).

Hilton, Avenida Ipiranga 165, PO Box 30522 (tel: 256-0033; tx: 1121981;
fax: 257-3137).

Holiday Crowne Plaza, Rua Frei Caneca 1360 (tel: 284-1144; tx: 33096;
fax: 251-3121).

Maksoud Plaza, Alameda Campinas 150 (tel: 251-2233; tx: 30026; fax: 251-4202).

Merak, Avenida Lavandisca 262-270 (tel: 542-6866; tx: 32014).

Metropolitan Plaza, Alameda Campinas 474 (tel: 287-4855; tx: 35667;
fax: 285-3158).

Mofarrej Sheraton, Alameda Santos 1437 (tel: 284-5544; tx: 34170;
fax: 289-8670).

Nikkey Palace, Rua Galvao Bueno 425 (tel: 270-8511; tx: 1135187;
fax: 270-6614).

Normandie, Avenida Ipiranga 1187 (tel: 228-5766; tx: 1124519).

Novotel Sao Paulo Morumbi, Rua Ministro Nelson Hungria 450, CEP 05690
(tel: 533-1211; tx: 25662).

Othon Palace, Rua Libero Badaro 190 (tel: 239-3277; tx: 34082).

Planalto, Avenida Caspar Libero 117 (tel: 227-7311; tx: 1121607).

San Michel, Largo do Arouche 200 (tel: 223-4433; tx: 1122457).

San Raphael, Largo do Arouche 150 (tel: 220-6633; tx: 1122457; fax: 221-3202).

HOTELS: SALVADOR DE BAHIA - BRAZIL

Meridien, Rua Fonte do Boi 216 (tel: 248-8011; tx: 711029; fax: 248-8902).

HOTELS: SANTOS - BRAZIL
Parque Balneiro, Avenida Ana Costa 555 (tel: 34-7211; tx: 1241).

HOTELS: UBERABA - BRAZIL
Novotel, Avenida Filomena Cartafina 150 (tel: 3364288; tx: 343477).

HOTELS: VITORIA/ESPIRITO SANTO - BRAZIL

Novotel Vitoria, Ave Adalberto Simao Nader 133, Praia do Camburi CEP 2900
(tel: 227-9422; tx: 2473).

Porto do Sol, Avenida Dante Michelini 3957, Camburi (tel: 234-2244; tx: 23554).

CAR HIRE - BRAZIL
Brasilia

Hertz: international airport (tel: 248-4466); Torre Veiculos, Sia Trecho 3 545
(tel: 234-4656).

Sao Paulo

Avis: Rua Consolacao 335 (tel: 256-4433; tx: 1124453); Congonhas airport
(domestic arrivals) (tel: 241-1817); Guarulhos airport (international arrivals)
(tel: 945-2180).

Hertz: Congonhas airport (tel: 531-6275); Rua da Consolacao 301/307
(tel: 257-4800, 256-9722; tx: 01132451).

Rio de Janeiro

Avis: international airport (tel: 398-3083).
Budget: Avenida Princesa Isabel 350 (tel: 275-3244).

Hertz: Galeao international airport (tel: 398-3162).

BUSINESS ADVICE AND INFORMATION - BRAZIL
Abril Press News Avency, Avenida Otaviano Alvesde, Lima 4400, CP2372, 01.000
Sao Paulo, SP (tel: 266-011; tx: 22094).

American Express, Avenida Atlantica 2316, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.

Asociacao Brasileira de Imprensa, Rua Araujo Porto Augre 71, Castelo.

Banco Central do Brasil, Edificio Sede, 70074 Brasilia, DF (tel: 224-1453;
tx: 1702).

Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Avenida Rio Branco, 91, 8 S/10/12, 20040 Rio de
Janeiro (tel: 221-1901).

Cebitur (Tourist Office), Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 1323, Sao Paulo.

Central Post Office, Praca do Correio, Sao Paulo.

Central Post Office, Setor Hoteleiro Sul, Brasilia.

Central Post Office, Rua Primeiro do Marco 64, Rio de Janeiro.

Confederacao Nacional do Comercio, Dutra 4 andar, Quadriga SCS Brasilia DF.

Confederacao Nacional da Industria, Avenida Nilo Pecanha 50, 2000 Rio de
Janeiro (tel: 231-9260).

Departmento Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (DENTEL), Via N2, Anexo do Ministerio
das Comunicacoes, Bloco R, 70.066 Brasilia DF (tel: 223-3229; tx 2233229).

Embratur (Empresa Brasileira de Turismo), Rua Mariz e Barros 13, 7 andar,
20.270 Rio de Janeiro, RJ (tel: 273-2212; tx: 21066).

Fundacao IBGE, Rua Franklin Roosevelt 166, Rio de Janeiro.

Industrial Development Council, Praca Maua 7, 16 andar, Sala 1602 Rio de
Janeiro.

Ministry of Finance, Esplanada dos Ministerios, Bloco P, 5, 70.048 Brasilia, DF
(tel: 223-2729; tx: 1142).

Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Esplanada dos Ministerios, Bloco 6, 70.053
Brasilia (tel: 223-7784; tx: 1066).

Petrobras (Petroleo Brasileiro), Avenida Republica do Chile, CP809, Rio de
Janeiro.

Rede Ferroviaria Federal, SA (Federal Railway Corp), Praca Procopio Ferreira
86, 20.224, Rio de Janeiro RJ (tel: 291-2185; tx: 21372).

Servicos Aereos Cruzeiro do Sul, SA, Avenue Silvio Noronha 365, 20.000 Rio de
Janeiro, RJ (tx: 21765)

Tourist Information Centre, Barata Ribeiro 272, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.

VARIG SA, Almte Silvio Noronha 365, 20021, Rio de Janeiro, RJ (tel: 297-5141;
tx: 22363).

PRINCIPAL NEWSPAPERS - BRAZIL
Brazil Herald, Rua do Rezende 65, 20.231, Rio de Janeiro (tel: 221-2772).

Diario Comercio e Industria, Rua Alvaro de Varvalho 354, 01.050 Sao Paulo, SP
(tel: 256-5011; tx: 21436).

Diario Popular, Rua Major Quedinho 28, 1-6, 01.050 Sao Paulo, SP
(tel: 258-2133; tx: 21213).

Folha de Sao Paulo, Alameda Barao de Limeira 425, Campos Elisios, 01.202 Sao
Paulo, SP (tel: 874-2222; tx: 22930).

Gazeta Mercantil, Rua Major Quedinho 90, 8, 01.050 Sao Paulo SP (tel: 256-3133,
tx 23748).

Jornal do Brasil, Av. Brazil 500, Sao Cristovao, 20.940, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
(tel: 585-4422; tx: 23690).

PRINCIPAL NEWSPAPERS - BRAZIL
Jornal do Comercio, Rua do Livramento 189, 20.221 Rio de Janeiro, RJ
(tel: 253-6675, tx: 22165).

Jornal de Tarde, Av. Eng. CaetanoAlvares 55, 02.550 Sao Paulo, SP
(tel: 856-2122; tx: 23511).

O Dia, Rua Riachuelo 359, 20.235 Rio de Janeiro, RJ (tel: 272-2000; tx: 22595).

O Estado de Sao Paulo, Av Eng CaetanoAlvares 55, 02.550 Sao Paulo
(tel: 856-2122).

O Globo, Pob 1090 Rua Irineu Marinho 35, 20.233, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
(tel: 272-2000; tx: 22595).

From: sme...@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU (Stephen J. Mezias)
Subject: Re: The extreme adventure : AMAZON? AFRICA? ASIA? Info needed ******
Date: 11 Mar 93 01:14:45 GMT
Organization: NYU Stern School of Business

In article <1993Mar6.0...@cc.umontreal.ca>
chol...@JSP.UMontreal.CA (Cholette Martin) writes several questions
about adventure travel to the Amazon:

My information may be somewhat outdated, but I understood that the
best Amazon jungle is in the vicinity of Leticia, Colombia and
Benjamin Constant, Brazil. You can fly to one of the gateways in
Colombia and get local service to Leticia. I am sure this could work
out cheaper than flying to Brazil. If you do fly to Brazil, try
calling the Brazilian Amercian Cultural Center (800 # ?) for good
fares.

Enjoy.

From: mk...@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (MONICA KELLNER)
Subject: Re: Trip to Brazil, need shots?
Date: 8 May 93 19:18:59 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

m...@ln.nimh.nih.gov (Mike Hall) writes:
>A friend of mine is going to Brazil in June
>and she wants to know if she needs to get
>shots for anything. She will not be going into
>the jungle.
>
>Please respond by email. Thanks in advance!!!!
>
>- Mike Hall

Remember there is a Colera epidemia in all South America. May be you can
forget about drinking watter in Europe, but not in S-A.
She is probably safe in hotels. Otherwise I think you are suposed to boil for
15 min and add two drops of chlorine to all water you use, whether drinking
watter or used for washing vegetables.
--
Monica

From: co...@baobab.Berkeley.EDU (Julio Costa)
Subject: Re: GOING TO BRAZIL
Keywords: BRAZIL
Organization: SPS
Date: Mon, 24 May 1993 16:34:02 GMT

i have found that the b.a.c.c has always the cheapest fares to brazil
on top of having the best service. their tel. number used to be:
1-800-bacc-rio , but it has been about 1 year since i used them for a
trip. if it is more convenient to fly from los angeles, united has
a pretty good deal at $699 round trip.

abracos,
julio

From: d...@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (David Larson)
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1993 19:29:03 GMT
Subject: Re: Rainforests - The Best One?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA

Before you write off the Amazon, consider some alternatives. The city
of Manaus has easy air access. Outside of Manaus (maybe 1 to 2 hours) are
several "rain forest camps". These places are like a bed and breakfast
in the rain forest. Most will accomodate around 15 people and you would
normally stay for about 3 days. Lots of nature, no glitzy shows.

Dave Larson

From: rler...@netcom.com (Rasmus Lerdorf)
Subject: Re: Has anyone been to Brazil?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1993 21:34:19 GMT

dmen...@guvax.acc.georgetown.edu writes:

>Has anyone been to Rio? How are the beaches? What is the best place
>to stay? What are some good things to do while a male in his younger
>20's is there??

Being a male in my early twenties myself, and having been to Brazil on
a number of occasions, I would have to say, stay away from Rio. At least,
stay away from the city of Rio. Ipanema and Copacabana are the two famous
beaches in Rio. The areas around these beaches are quite dangerous, which
I am sure many people will tell you. But, if you use some common sense
and don't look like a victim, you will be ok even there. However, I wasn't
all that impressed with those two beaches. If I were you, I would head up
north of Rio to a very small place called Buzios. Buzios is probably the
nicest, most fun, little utopic tropical beach town I have ever been to.
It is not overrun by tourists, nor is it completely non-touristy.

It's not easy to get there. You'll need to locate it on a map and take
a bus from Rio in the general direction of Buzius. You will most likely
be dropped of out in the middle of nowhere and told that Buzios is *that*
way by a sweating bus driver pointing across a field. There are small
local busses that pass by that can be flagged down. My girlfriend and
I got a ride in the back of a lettuce truck to get there. The tourists
that manage to find this place tend to have boats and have sailed to the
place. Because it is frequented by yacht-types it tends to be expensive.
But, go to a place called Bougainville Flats on Estrada Jose Bento Ribeiro
Dantas 100. Nice clean room for 2 will cost you about US$10 per night.

There are lots of other small wonderful beaches all along the entire
coast of Brazil, but Buzios was my favourite of all the ones I visited
on my treks up and down the coast by foot, bus, boat and plane..

--
Rasmus Lerdorf Multiuser Nutec Corporation
Product Manager Serial GUI Experts 2685 Marine Way Suite 1319
+1 415 988-9781 - Nutec Desktop Mountain View, CA. 94043
FAX: +1 415 988-9782 - ASAP Toolkit internet: ras...@nutec.com

From: lea...@artex.waisman.wisc.edu
Subject: RE: Has anyone been to Brazil?
Organization: Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Date: 25 JUL 93 13:23:26 CDT

just got back from rio ---it is as always blessed with
beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery.
it is unfortunately cursed by the presence of ubiquitous
poverty, crime and violence.

if you decide to go to rio i would recommend staying in ipanema
which is a bit safer to walk around in then copacabana and certainly
the city center.

From: rler...@netcom.com (Rasmus Lerdorf)
Subject: Re: Brazil info wanted
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1993 08:02:34 GMT

mi...@sybase.com (Mimi Balcom) writes:

> 1. How many days should we spend in Rio, Iguacu and Solvador?
> 2. What are "must see" in each city?.

Just get out alive and you will have been successful. Actually, 1 or 2
days in Rio should be more than enough. It is a huge, overpopulated
tourist city. If you have some time, make your way just a bit north
in the state of Rio to a place like Buzious. Small, utopian beach
cities not overrun by tourists or by people in general. That is the
real Brazil. Rio and Sao Paulo is not Brazil.

In Iquazu, there is really only 1 thing to see, isn't there? The
waterfalls. They are spectacular, but 2 days should be enough.

Salvador. Never been there, don't know. I hear they have the best
carnival in the country though. It is one of the places I still
need to visit in Brazil.

> 3. Where should we stay? any suggested hotels? (we don't want to
> spend a lot so, as long as the hotel is clean, save and
> comfortable for kid).

If you want to go to Buzious, I can recommend a great place to stay.
$10/night for a clean comfortable large double room.

> Any Dos and Don'ts will be appreciated.

Don't walk the streets of Copacabana or Ipanema at night in Rio.
These two neighbourhoods are the most touristy and the ones most
often hit by muggers, kid pickpockets, etc. I had one rather
humourous experience in Copacabana 2 years ago. I was walking
one of the streets away from the beach (if you stay near the
beach there are more police) and on one corner a kid threw
a clump of foul smelling mud on my shoes and ran away. On
the next corner I got to, kids were cleaning shoes. I
appreciated the ingenuity (the kids were 6-9 years old) and
let them clean my shoes. When I went to grab some money in
my pocket, two kids instantly attacked my pocket and a 3rd
tried to grab my knapsack. I let them have my money in
my pocket (about $3), but made sure I kept my knapsack.

Don't carry a wallet. Carry only the minimum amount of money
you think you need for the day in a pocket. Be prepared
to lose your money or a watch at least once in Rio. A money
belt is a good idea when you have nowhere to leave your money.

It's not all that dangerous actually. They usually won't
go beyond taking some money or a watch. I feel a lot less
safe in New York and Miami.

--
Rasmus Lerdorf Multiuser Nutec Corporation
Product Manager Serial GUI Experts 2685 Marine Way Suite 1319
+1 415 988-9781 - Nutec Desktop Mountain View, CA. 94043
FAX: +1 415 988-9782 - Nutec Toolkit internet: ras...@nutec.com

From: jt...@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
Subject: Re: Brazil info wanted
Date: 31 Aug 93 17:05:14 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

rler...@netcom.com (Rasmus Lerdorf) writes:
>mi...@sybase.com (Mimi Balcom) writes:
>
> <Stuff deleted>
>
>Don't carry a wallet. Carry only the minimum amount of money
>you think you need for the day in a pocket. Be prepared
>to lose your money or a watch at least once in Rio. A money
>belt is a good idea when you have nowhere to leave your money.

I've also been told by airline flight attendants who stay in Rio
frequently that you should *NOT* wear *ANY* jewelry! It only attracts
muggers and you'll lose it anyway. Also, don't walk the streets alone,
ESPECIALLY if you're female. Is there any truth to all of this?

Jeff

Subject: Re: Brasil Airfares
From: ba...@uhura.cs.twsu.edu (rajiv bagai)
Date: 9 Sep 93 11:52:03 CST
Organization: CS Dept. Wichita State University Wichita KS USA

U57...@uicvm.uic.edu () writes:
: I planning to go to Brasil Dec.9,10 or 11 and stay for five weeks.
: Does anyone know of any reasonable airfares?
: thanks
: Uros

Try 1-800-BACC-RIO. I just bought a ticket at an excellent price from
them.

Rajiv

From: Icono...@f219.n914.z8.rbbs-net.ORG (Icono Clast)
Subject: HELP: Brazil/Rio
Date: 22 Jun 94 03:49:02 PST

myrddin!nbn!nic.scruz.net!darkstar.UCSC.EDU!agate!spool.mu.e
u!news.clark.edu!sun.lclark.edu!sun.lclark.edu!not-for-mail
Organization: Lewis and Clark College, Portland OR

DONALD CHARLES BAILEY:
DCB My wife, a friend and I are planning to go to Rio in late November. We
will be staying near Copacabana Beach, but would also like to venture out
to either Buzios, the Green Coast, or both. Can anyone recommend places
to stay in either place? I am also trying to figure out what the best way
is to get to either place. Has anyone had any experiences renting a car
there? Any help anyone can give me will be very much appreciated!

About 140km from Rio is Cabo Frio. It has the finest, cleanest sand
and water I've ever seen. The waves are small but finely formed. The
water's temperature, during my vist, must've been in the high 80sF.
It's a lovely spot.
Be sure to buy the fruit stuff being sold on the highway. I
don't know what it is and I don't like the taste, but Brazilians
_love_ it! You might.

* Origin: The Airtight Garage, San Francisco, Cal. 415-641-0348 (8:914/219)

From: 76702...@compuserve.com (Wally Doerge)
Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Brazil
Date: 27 Jun 1994 14:34:09 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Brazil
============================================================
Brazil - Consular Information Sheet
June 24, 1994

Country Description: Brazil has a developing economy. Facilities
for tourism are good in the major cities, but vary in quality in
remote areas.

Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Brazilian
visas must be obtained in advance as immigration authorities will
not allow entry into Brazil without a valid visa. Minors (under 18)
traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party must present
written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian,
specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or
with a third party. This authorization must be notarized,
authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate, and translated
into Portuguese. For current information concerning entry and
customs requirements for Brazil, travelers can contact the Brazilian
Embassy at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008,
Tel: (202) 745-2700 or the nearest Consulate in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Boston, Miami, New York, Chicago or San Juan.

Medical Facilities: Medical care varies in quality, particularly
in remote areas. Cholera has been reported in the Amazon basin
region, northeastern Brazil and major cities. Visitors who follow
proper precautions about food and drink are not usually at risk.
Malaria is making a dramatic comeback in the Amazon River basin,
including the city of Manaus and neighboring municipalities.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for
health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside
the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide
payment of medical services outside the United States. In some
cases, medical insurance with specific overseas and medical
evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health
information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's
international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Crime Information: The incidence of crime against tourists tends
to be greater in areas surrounding discotheques, bars, nightclubs
and other similar establishments, especially at dusk and during the
evening hours. Several Brazilian cities have established
specialized tourist police units to patrol areas frequented by
tourists.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's most popular tourist destination,
understandably experiences a proportionately greater amount of crime
against tourists. While still very serious, there has been some
reduction in the crime rate since the 1992 deployment of a tourist
police unit. With some exceptions, U.S. government personnel and
official visitors are not housed in the troublesome Copacabana and
Leme neighborhoods. Although U.S. tourists have not been targeted,
there is an upsurge of kidnappings of wealthy Brazilians in Rio.

Sao Paulo has noted a recent increase in street crime where guns
are involved. Additionally, Sao Paulo has reported thefts at its
international airport (Guarulhos), involving carry on luggage or
briefcases which had been set down, sometimes for a moment.
Arriving and departing travelers should be especially vigilant and
take the necessary precautions at this and other Brazilian airports.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal
security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of
State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the same address is the
Department of State publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and
South America."

Adoptions: The adoption process in Brazil is often lengthy and
costly. It is not unusual to encounter serious unforeseen problems,
particularly in the northeastern states of Ceara, Paraiba, and
Pernambuco. Updated information on Brazilian adoption proceedings
is available from the consular section of the U.S. Consulate having
jurisdiction over the locality where the adoption will take place.
Information on U.S. immigrant visa requirements is available from
the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de
Janeiro, where all immigrant visa cases for Brazil are processed.
Additional information is available by writing the Office of
Citizens Consular Services, CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817, Department of
State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202) 647-3712.

Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the
country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Brazil for
possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and
convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Embassy Location/Registration: Americans who register with the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or consulates may obtain
updated information on travel and security within Brazil.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Brasilia at Avenida das Nacoes, Lote
3, telephone: (55-61) 321-7272.

There are consulates in Rio de Janeiro at:

Avenida Presidente Wilson 147, telephone: (55-21) 292-7117

Sao Paulo at Rua Padre Joao Manoel 933, telephone: (55-11) 881-6511

Porto Alegre at Rua Coronel Genuino 421 (9th flr.), telephone:
(55-51) 226-4288

Recife at Rua Goncalves Maia 163, telephone: (55-81) 221-1412.

There are also consular agencies in Belem at:

Travessa Padre Eutiquio 1309, telephone: (55-91) 223-0800

Manaus at Rua Recife 1010, Adrianopolis, telephone: (55-92) 234-4546

Salvador de Bahia at Avenida Antonio Carlos Magalhaes S/N Edificio
Cidadella Center, Suite 410, Candeal, telephone: (55-71) 358-9166,

Fortaleza at the Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos (IBEU), Rua
Nogueira Acioly, 891, Aldeota, telephone: (55-85) 252-1539.

No. 94-103

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 27, 1993 to
provide updated crime and medical information.

From: f...@mubo.saar.de (Franz-Josef Simmet)
Subject: Brazil: Living costs (Hotelrooms)
Organization: FJ's Linuxkiste
Date: Sun, 10 Jul 1994 07:28:40 GMT

Brazil: What is the level of the living costs for travellers
======= in Brazil (esp. prices for Hotelrooms)

Hi!

The prices for Hotelrooms listed in my travel guide (from 1990)
seem to me very suitable.

Examples:

- Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Benjamin Constant, Rooms are small and
not very clean, single room : 1.5 US$ !!!!

- Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Florida, single room with bath and hot
water (reported to be realy hot) and aircondition : 9 US$ !!

Is this price level still up to date?

On July the 1th Brazil introduced a new currency, the REAL.
Was this event accompanied by a raise of the general costs
(based on US$)?
Who has actual informations?

--
Franz-Josef Simmet | Email:
Saarbruecken | f...@mubo.saar.de
Germany | sim...@dfki.uni-sb.de

From: ri...@rio.moneng.mei.com (Rick Bronson)
Subject: Soc.Culture.Brazil Frequently Answered Questions [FAQ]
Date: 10 Jul 1994 11:59:34 GMT
Organization: Marquette Electronics, Inc.
Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked
Questions (and their answers) about the country Brazil.
It should be read by anyone who wishes to post to the
soc.culture.brazil newsgroup.

Archive-name: Brazil-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
soc.culture.brazil
Version 1.1 June 13, 1994
Table of Contents

1.0 Overview
2.0 General Information
2.1 About Brazil
2.2 About things Brazilian in other countries
3.0 Culture and Language
4.0 Travel and Tourism
5.0 Internet

******************************* 1.0 Overview *******************************

This is the FAQ for soc.culture.brazil, it has the following goals.

A. Answer the most common questions concerning things pertaining to
soc.culture.brazil, the country Brazil and things Brazilian.
B. Keep it's size to something around 2000 lines max. This FAQ
will easily reach the maximum and if it gets much greater than
that not many people will want to wade through it so I think
it is in our best interest to keep it somewhat concise. Instead
of including large verbose items we should reference where the
reader can obtain them on the Internet.

About soc.culture.brazil

The soc.culture.brazil newsgroup was established in
It is devoted to the discussion of all aspects of Brazil culture.

There are many other related newsgroups. See section 5.0 for
a list of them. If your article is more appropriate for another
newsgroup, please post it there first -- you'll get the audience
you're looking for.

************************* 2.0 General Information **************************

***************************** 2.1 About Brazil *****************************

KEY FACTS

Official title: Federative Republic of Brazil
Ruling party: National Reconstruction Party (PRN)
Capital: Brasilia
Official languages: Portuguese
Currency: Cruzeiro Real (soon to be Real)
Area: 8,511,965 sq km
Population: 147m (1989)
GDP per capita: $2,449 (1988)
GDP real growth: 3.6% (1989)
Inflation: 1,287% (1989)
Trade balance: $14,390m (1989)
Foreign debt: $114.6bn (1989)

GEOGRAPHY:

Brazil occupies nearly half of the total area of South America. It has borders
with all the South American countries except for Chile and Ecuador. Its land
mass totals approximately 3,300,000 square miles, more than the continental
United States and slightly less than all the European countries together.
40% of the Brazilian land is occupied by the Amazon Rain Forest.

Brazil covers almost half of the South American continent and it is bordered to
the north, west and south by all South American countries except Chile and
Ecuador; to the east is the Atlantic. Brazil is topographically relatively
flat, and at no point do the highlands exceed 3000m (10,000ft). Over 60% of the
country is a plateau; the remainder consists of plains. The River Plate Basin
(the confluence of the Parana and Uruguay Rivers, both of which have their
sources in Brazil) in the far south is more varied, higher and less heavily
forested. North of the Amazon are the Guiana Highlands, partly forested, partly
stony desert. The Brazilian Highlands of the interior, between the Amazon and
the rivers of the south, form a vast tableland, the Mato Grosso, from which
rise mountains in the southwest, that form a steep protective barrier from the
coast called the Great Escarpment, breached by deeply cut river beds. The
population is concentrated in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Sao
Paulo and Parana. Sao Paulo has a population of over 10 million, while over 5
million people live in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil is composed of 26 states and 1 Federal District.
The capital is Brasilia.

There are five regions:

North: (States of Amazonas, Para, Roraima, Acre, Amapa, Tocantins and
Rondonia).
Northeast: (States of Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio
Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao)
Central West: (States of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Goias)
Southeast: (States of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo,
and Sao Paulo)
South: (States of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul)

TOTAL AREA: 8,511,965 km2; land area: 8,456,510 km2; includes
Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade,
Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

COMPARATIVE AREA: slightly smaller than the US

LAND BOUNDARIES: 14,691 km total; Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km,
Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,
Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

COASTLINE: 7,491 km

CONTINENTAL SHELF: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

EXCLUSIVE FISHING ZONE: 200 nm;

TERRITORIAL SEA: 200 nm

DISPUTES: short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west of
Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short
sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute (Arroyo de la
Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of
the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay); claims a Zone of Interest in Antarctica

CLIMATE: Mainly tropical and sub-tropical; particularly humid in Amazon region
and along the coast. Temperate on the southern coast and on the higher lands.
Rainy season in south from Nov-Mar, driest from Jun-Aug. Temperatures in Rio de
Janeiro: winter (Jun-Sep) 14-30 degrees C, summer (Dec-Mar) 20-39 degrees C.

ENVIRONMENT: recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost in south;
deforestation in Amazon basin; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo
Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries
with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

TERRAIN: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt

POPULATION DENSITY: 17 per sq km.
CAPITAL: Brasilia. Population: 1,567,709 (1985).

<<< GOVERNMENT >>>

LONG-FORM NAME: Federative Republic of Brazil

TYPE: federal republic

CAPITAL: Brasilia

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 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, Tocantins; note--the territories of Amapa and
Roraima became states on 5 October 1988.

INDEPENDENCE: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

CONSTITUTION: 5 October 1988

LEGAL SYSTEM: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
fixed dates:
1.1 New Year's Day, 21.4 Tiradentes Day, 1.5 Labour Day, 7.9
Independence Day, 12.10 Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, 2.11 All Souls
Day,15.11 Proclamation of the Republic, 25.12 Christmas

moveables:
Carnival (February, ocasionally begining March)
Easter ( note that Easter Monday is not holiday)
Corpus Christi

local
25.1 (in Sao Paulo), 20.1 ? (in Rio)

Note: It is government policy in Brazil for certain holidays to be taken on
Monday if those holidays fall during the week; however, the church wishes to
continue holding festivals on the traditional days. If plans are likely to be
affected by such a holiday it is advisable to check the situation with the
Information Office before travelling. Please note also that as four of the
traditional holidays are fixed by municipalities there may be some variation
from region to region.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH: president, vice president, Cabinet

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional)
consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or
Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados)

JUDICIAL BRANCH: Supreme Federal Tribunal

SUFFRAGE: voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70;
voluntary at age 70

FLAG: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue
celestial globe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for each state) arranged
in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white
equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION: Ambassador Marcilio Marques MOREIRA; Chancery
at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-2700;
there are Brazilian Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, and New York, and Consulates in Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco
;
US--Ambassador Richard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nocoes,
Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrto Federal (mailing address is APO Miami 34030);
telephone p55o (6) 321-7272; there are US Consulates General in Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo, and Consulates in Porto Alere and Recife

Time
GMT -3 (except western states including towns of Campo Grande, Corumba, Cuiaba,
Manaus: GMT -4. Fernando de Noronha Islands: GMT -2. Acre: GMT -5.)

Working hours
Government and business
(Mon-Fri) 0900 - 1200; 1400 - 1800. Government departments usually 1100 - 1800.
N.B. In Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo there is no siesta break; in Brasilia
there is a three-hour siesta, 1200 - 1500.

Currency exchange: All banks and cambios exchange recognised
travellers cheques and foreign currency, but there is also a
flourishing black market trade in foreign currency which offers
about 20% above the official rate. This is strictly illegal in Brazil.

<<< COMMUNICATIONS >>>

RAILROADS: 29,694 km total; 25,268 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,339 km
1.600-meter gauge, 74 km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge,
13 km 0.760-meter gauge; 2,308 km electrified

HIGHWAYS: 1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel or
earth

INLAND WATERWAYS:: 50,000 km navigable

PIPELINES: crude oil, 2,000 km; refined products, 3,804 km; natural gas,
1,095 km

PORTS: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre,
Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos

MERCHANT MARINE: 271 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,855,708
GRT/9,909,097 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 68 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo,
12 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 56 petroleum, oils, and lubricants
(POL) tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 14 combination ore/oil,
82 bulk, 2 combination bulk

CIVIL AIR: 176 major transport aircraft

AIRPORTS: 3,774 total, 3,106 usable; 386 with permanent-surface runways;
2 with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,240-3,659 m; 503 with runways
1,220-2,439 m

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: good system; extensive radio relay facilities; 9.86 million
telephones; stations--1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151 shortwave; 3 coaxial
submarine cables 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations with total of 3
antennas; 64 domestic satellite stations

A 40 per cent tax is added to cost of all international communications.
Telephone Long-distance calls can be made from state telephone company offices,
post offices and hotels. Trunk dialling system linking all main cities. Public
telephone booths (orelhoes) operated by tokens, which can be bought from
newsagents, cafes etc. Dialling code for Brazil: IDD access code + 55 followed
by area code (Belo Horizonte 31, Brasilia 61, Rio de Janeiro 21, Sao Paulo 11)
followed by subscriber's number.

Telex and telegram
Country telex code: BR. Telex messages can be sent from main post offices
during business hours and from hotels at nights and weekends. Telegrams can
be sent over the phone or at post offices and hotels.

Telephone: The telecommunications
systems are state-owned. Full IDD services available for the whole country and
abroad. Country code: 55. Public telephones require metal discs called
'fichas', which can be obtained from cash desks or newspaper kiosks. All calls
are liable to a 20% tax. Fax: Facilities are available in the main post
offices of major cities and some 5-star hotels; because this technology is only
just being introduced it is advisable to check that this facility is offered at
your destination. Telex/telegram: International telegram and telex facilities
exist in many cities. Offices of Embratel in Rio de Janerio (Praca Maua 7) and
Sao Paulo. Rio's airport provides 24 hour telecommunication services. The
domestic telex service now covers the whole of the country. Post: Services are
reasonably reliable. Sending mail registered or franked will eliminate the risk
of having the stamps steamed off. Airmail service to Europe takes four to six days. Surface mail takes at least four weeks. Press: The
only English newspaper is The Brazil Herald in Rio. Also in Rio there is an
English Language publication, the Rio Visitor which gives tourist information.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies and
wavelengths: From time to time these change.
BBC:
MHz 17.76 15.18 9.915 6.005

Metres 16.89 19.76 30.26 49.96
Voice of America:
MHz 15.21 11.58 9.775 5.995
Metres 19.72 25.91 30.69 50.04

POSTAL SERVICE
Postal charges are high. PO Box (Caixa Postal) address and post code number
should be used when possible.

MEDIA
Press
Around 250 daily newspapers with a combined circulation of under 5m. Due to
distribution difficulties in such a large country there are no national
dailies. However, numerous regional papers are published. Main US and European
newspapers available in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brazil Herald
(circulation 18,000) incorporating Daily Post is only local English language
daily. Main papers are O Dia (261,653), Jornal do Brasil (170,151), O Globo
(266,569) and Jornal do Comercio (in Rio de Janeiro, 31,000) and O Estado de
Sao Paulo (222,173), Folha de Sao Paulo (283,048), Gazeta Mercantil (leading
business paper, 80,000), Jornal da Tarde (100,151), Diario Popular (90,000) and
Diario do Comercio e Industria (50,000). Numerous periodicals are also
available.

Broadcasting
Over 1,000 radio stations (including AM, FM, SW and Tropical Wave) and 127 TV
stations. Satellite connection with rest of world.

TIME: Brazil spans several time zones:
Brazilian Standard Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 in summer).
Amazon time zone (except Acre): GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 in summer).
Acre State: GMT - 4 (throughout year).

Embassies and Consulates in Brazil

British Embassy
Caixa Postal 07-0586
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Quadra 801
Conjunto K
70.408 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 225 2710.

Consulates in: Belem, Manaus, Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro,
Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande
and Santos.

Embassy of the United States of America
Setor de Embaixadas Sul, Av. das Nacoes
Lote 3
70.403 Brasilia DF, Brazil
Tel: (061) 321 7272.

************** 2.2 About things Brazilian in other countries ****************

2.1 Address and phone numbers of the Brazilian embassies and consulates

Embassy
3006 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington DC 20008
+1-202-745-2700, 2828

Consulates
Miami Los Angeles
2601 Bayshore Dr #800 8484 Wilshire Blvd #730/711
Miami, FL 33133 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
+1-305-285-6200 +1-213-651-2664, 5833, FAX 653-3903

Boston San Francisco
20 Park Plaza, Suite 810 300 Montgomery St #1600
Boston, Mass. San Francisco, CA 94104
617-542-4000 +1-415-981-8170

Chicago Puerto Rico
401 North Michigan Ave #3050 Av. Munoz Rivera, 268 8th Piso
Chicago, IL 60611 Oficina 804
312-464-0269, 0244 Hato Rey, Ruerto Rico 00910
+1-809-754-7983
Houston
13333 W Loop South #1100
Houston, TX 77027
+1-713-961-3063, 3064, 3065

Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil and Brazilian
Information Office
32 Green Street
London W1Y 4AT
Tel: (071) 499 0877. Fax: (071) 493 5101.
Brochures and publicity material may be ordered via Country
Connect by keying *567# on ISTEL TravelGuide 999.

Brazilian Consulate General
6 St Alban's St
London SW1Y 4SG
Tel: (071) 930 9055. Opening hours: 1000-1600 Monday to Friday.

2.2 Where can I buy Brazilian food, music, and books, videotapes?
Brazilian newspapers and magazines?

Brazilian newspapers and magazines:
Brazil Review 141 Ne 3rd Ave Miami, Fl 33132 305-358-8822
Brazilian Courier Miami, FL 305-377-1223
Brazilian Times 70 Union Sq Somerville, Ma 02143 617-625-5559
Brazilian Voice 53 Johnston Ave Kearny, Nj 07032 201-955-1137
Folha do Brasil New York, NY 212-869-7022
Brazil Today, Box 1121, El Cerrito, CA 94530 510-223-5190
The Brasilians 15 W 46th St New York, NY 10036 212-382-1630 FAX 382-1632
News from Brazil, Box 42536, Los Angeles, CA 90050-0536 800-354-4953
The Brazilian Music Review 708-292-4545

Books and videotapes:
Luso Brazilian New York, NY
Music: telnet holonet.net then login in as "cdc".

2.3 Addresses of Brazilian associations and organizations:
Brazilian Amercn Chmbr Commrce 80 Sw 8th St Miami, Fl 33130 305-579-9030
Brazilian American Society 2161 Peachtree Rd Ne Atlanta, Ga 30309 404-351-6791
Brazilian Amer C Of C Inc 22 W 48th St New York, Ny 10036 212-575-9030
Brazilian American Lang Inst 19 Mill St Lowell, Ma 01852 508-937-7545
Brazilian Cltrl Club Detroit 6556 Crabapple Dr Troy, Mi 48098 313-879-2303
Brazilian Cultural Foundation 120 Park Ave New York, Ny 10017 212-661-9860
Brazilian Government Trade 551 5th Ave New York, Ny 10176 212-867-3374

2.4 How can I send money to Brazil?
See BACC later.

2.5 Radio broadcasts that carry Brazilian music

Stations that carry "The Brazilian Hour" music program

STATION CITY STATE BROADCAST TIME

KBRW-AM Barrow AK Tue 8 PM
KAWC-FM Yuma AZ Mon 11 AM
WLRN-FM Miami FL Fri 7 PM
KIPO-FM Honolulu HI Sat 2 PM
KBSU-AM Boise ID Fri 11 AM
WSIU-FM Carbondale IL Sun Midnite
WGLT-FM Normal IL Tue 7 PM
WUSI-FM Olney IL Sun Midnite
WAMQ-FM Great Barrington MA Fri Midnite
WESM-FM Princess Anne MD Sun 4 PM
KCMW-FM Warrensburg MO Sun 9 AM
WPRL-FM Lorman MS Sat 6 PM
KIOS-FM Omaha NE Tue 1 PM
KRWG-FM Las Cruces NM Sat 1 PM
WAMC-FM Albany NY Fri Midnite
WCAN-FM Canajohare NY Fri Midnite
WAMK-FM Kingston NY Fri Midnite
WOSR-FM Middletown NY Fri Midnite
WCFE-FM Plattsburgh NY Fri 7 PM
WANC-FM Ticonderoga NY Fri Midnite
KMBH-FM Harlingen TX Sun 2 PM
KHID-FM McAllen TX Sun 2 PM
KUOW-FM Seattle WA Sun 10 PM
WYMS-FM Milwaukee WI Sat 7 PM

Address:
The Brazilian Hour
8484 Wilshire Blvd
Beverely Hills, CA 90211
ATTN: Sergio Mielniczenko

WWOZ 90.7 FM in New Orleans broadcasts "Tudo Bem", a two-hour program
of Brazilian music Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm Central time USA.
Katrina Geenen hosts the show, and her love and knowledge of the music
shows. She's a wonderful host with a lively personality. If you'd
like to know more, simply write:
WWOZ PO Box 51840 New Orleans, LA 70153

VOA transmitimos em portugues nas seguintes frequencias entre as 16:00
e 17:00 horas hora da costa oeste (Pacific Daylight Time):

17.740 kilohertz na faixa de 16 metros,
15.330 kHz em 19 m
11.680 kHz em 25 m
e 9.455 kHz em 31 metros.

KCRW does not have a show that features Brazilian music exclusively.
It does have a show that features Brazilian, Latin, African music
(among others). It's called Cafe-LA and it's on Saturday and Sunday,
11AM - 3PM. KCRW is 89.9 FM, Santa Monica, CA.

WRTI 90.1 FM in Philadelphia (Temple University jazz station) -
"Under One Sun" Thursdays, 10 p.m. - midnight, hosted by Ken Dossar.
The program features Brazilian music plus other African-influenced
musics such as Cuban music and Latin jazz.

Radio station WNUA (95.5 FM in Chicago) is featuring a music program
called "Sounds of Brazil" every Saturday night from 10pm to 12 am
(midnight). They also offer complete CD information on how to buy the
CD's that you hear from their catalog also because they feature a
1-800 number to call. I don't know the number but it will be annouced
during the program.

In New York WEVD 1050 AM Every Sunday 7pm

In Ft. Collins, Colorado there is the PBS-Radio station KUBO-FM which
broadcast a brazilian hour at noon every Sunday. They are based in Denver.

Miami - Brazilian Love Jazz Todos os Domingos 18:00 - 21:00 93.9 FM

New Jersey Todas as quartas, a partir das 22:00 WJDM 1350 AM

"The Sounds of Brazil!" with Scott Adams Satunlay lOpm-midnight WNUA
FM 95.5, Chicago, IL

"Samba Pagode" with Jose Moacyr
Tuesday 3-4pm WHPK FM 88.5, Chicago, IL

"Coracao Brasileiro" with Dennis Miller Sunday Noon-2pm WMBR FM 88.1,
Boston, MA

"Brasil Com "S" with Judy King Saturday 9pm-midnight WGBO FM 88.3,
Newark, NJ

"Brasilian Tropicale" with Alvin Griffin Wednesday 1-2pm WMNF FM 88.5,
Tampa, FL

"Brazilian Love Jazz" with Gina Martell Sunday 6-9pm WLVE FM 93.9, Miami, FL

"A Taste Of Brazil" with Dick Conte Sunday 10-11pm KKSF FM 103.7, San
Francisco CA

"Sounds of Brasil" with Sergio Miemiczemko Thrursday 9:30 11:30 am
KPFK FM 90.7, Los Angeles, CA

Agora Brasil - Every Staurday 3:00pm KPFA 94.1 FM San Francisco CA

Brasileirinho - Every Wednesday 9:30 pm KZSC, 88.1 FM San Francisco CA

Canta, Brasil - Every Sunday, 6:00pm KKUP 91.5 FM San Francisco CA

Tropicalia Brasiliana - Every Friday 8:00pm KUSF, 90.3 San Francisco CA

"Horizontes" hosted by Michael Crockett (sp?) on KUT-FM 90.5 in
Austin, Texas. This program airs on Friday afternoons from 2:00 to
4:30 pm and features primarily Brasilian music for the first 1 1/2 to
2 hours and then Latin music from around the world.

"Meu Brasil" on WERS in Boston, Saturdays, 4-8 p.m.

WBGO 88.3 "Brasil com S" NJ, NY Sabados de 9pm ate' meia-noite
Excelente programa de MPB apresentado por Judith King

2.6 Television broadcasts that carry Brazilian television

Many cable TV systems carry "Scola" which has a delayed broadcast of
Journal Nacional. (This was discontinued in early 1994)

Views of Brazil on Cable in L.A. and San Francisco. Call 310-559-5382
or 415-648-5966

Brazil Update (Globo), 37 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 212-819-9078
************************* 3.0 Culture and Language *************************

(Edited by Cecilia Soares <ci...@isr.uni-stuttgart.d400.de>
and Ricardo Esparta <ric...@isr.uni-stuttgart.de>)

Part 3.1 - History (by Cecilia Soares and Ricardo Esparta)
==================

After Columbus reached America in 1492, the Portuguese and the Spanish
agreed to divide the new world into two halves by an imaginary
longitudinal line at 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. According
to this agreement every land found east of the imaginary line belonged
to Portugal and west to Spain. The Portuguese navigator Pedro
A. Cabral landed in Brazil on April 22nd, 1500. At that time there
were numerous native populations all over South America. The indians
living in Brazil, however, were not socially organized as, for
example, the Incas in Peru.

At the beginning, the European colonizers were only interested in
quick profits. But as they didn't find anything, they began to exploit
a red-colored wood from which dye was obtained. They called this wood
'pau-brasil' (Brazil-wood or literally blazing wood) and named the
country after it. The extractive exploitation of this wood was
Brazil's first economical cycle.

Only when the profits of the commercialization of spices from
India and the Western coast of Asia began to decrease the Portuguese
turned their eyes to the new territory. A systematic accupation and
exploration of it was set about, and pieces of land were donated to
friends of the court. Later, a centralized government was nominated
and the second economical cycle was initiated with the cultivation of
sugar cane. Attempts were made to use the native indians as slaves in
the plantations, but it wasn't too hard for them to run away, given
that they knew the land better than the Europeans. Also, the catholic
church was against the use of native indians as slaves, for they
thought they could convert them. So African slaves were brought over
to work in Brazil.

In the first half of the 17th century, gold and precious stones were
found in Brazil as a result of many expeditions led by frightfull men
who were also indian hunters. This caused the enlagerment of the
territory, not unlike what happened in the USA. The country borders,
however, were only to be defined in the 19th century when Uruguay
became independent (it had been a Brazilian province until that time)
and what today is the state of Acre was bought from Bolivia. During
many years the present state of Minas Gerais alone provided the
Portuguese crown with big amounts of gold and precious stones ('minas'
means mines). This period would be called later the gold cycle. It was
also in Minas Gerais that the first independence movement took place,
at the end of the 17th century, inspired in the American liberation
movement, and whetted by abusive tax raises promoted by the Portuguese
crown. The movement was unsuccessful and one of its leaders, the
dentist Joaquim J. S. Xavier, known as Tiradentes, was executed on
April 21st, 1789. This date became later an important national holiday
(Tiradentes' day).

In 1807 the Portuguese royal family moved to Rio de Janeiro escaping
from Napoleon's troops. The presence of such honorable guests brought
prosperity to the second capital of the colony (the first had been
Salvador), culture flourished, and new economical liberties were
allowed. But the glorious days came to an end in 1821 when the King
decided to return to Portugal where things were back to normality; in
Brazil, on the other hand, there was too much political instability,
and strong sentiments for independence. The King knew about that so he
told his son Pedro who was to remain in the country and become the
ruler there that, if the situation reached the point where
independence seemed inevitable, he should be the one to declare it and
should establish himself as emperor of Brazil. And so that's what
Pedro did on September 7th, 1822, but the Portuguese resisted for
almost a year at Salvador, they were defeated in July 2, 1823

But the new country would have to put up with a series of
problems: a war against Paraguay (the longest in the Brazilian
history), great economical dependence on England, and the embarassing
permanence of slavery. Brazil was the last country in the western
hemisphere to abolish slavery, which only happened in 1888. A little
over one year later, on November 11th, 1889, the empire would come to
an end with the proclamation of the republic.

The end of the monarchy occurred mainly on behalf of the interests of
coffee producers from the southeast of the country, especially from the
state of Sao Paulo. It was the beginning of the coffee cycle during
which labour force had to be imported from empoverished countries such
as Germany, Italy and Japan. Since coffee was responsible for 70% of
the country's export the immigrants were very attracted by promises of
prosperity in the new world (as a matter of fact, this idea was
advertised by the Brazilian government in some poor countries). At
first, however, they were highly exploited, and a great part of the
plantations owners' increasing profits was due to their hard work. But
the world depression that started in the late 20's would hit
everyone. Coffee reached then its lowest price in history. The
economical and political conditions favoured a military coup used by
Getulio Vargas to take over the government. The era of the "Republica
do Cafe' com Leite" (Coffee and Milk Republic), dominated by Minas Gerais
and Sao Paulo farmers (the former, great milk producers, and the latter,
great coffee producers) was over. In 1937, Getulio Vargas eventually
installs a dictatorship that lasts until 1945.

The industrialization period, which began in the late 10's, booms
during World War II with the construction of steel mills, automobile
and chemical plants, etc. Brazil was neutral in the war until 1943
then it fought on the allies' side, in spite of the government being
sympathetic to the fascist regimes. Culminating with the modernization
process the new capital of the country -Brasilia- was inaugurated in
1960: within only 3 years a new town, worldwide famous for its unique
and impressive architecture,had been raised in the geographical center
of the nation, a place where up to that point wilderness had
prevailed. But the great material progress during the 1950's was
achieved at a high cost in terms of inflation and repeated foreign
loans. These problems and an alleged communist influence on the
government paved the way for a right-winged military coup. The new
government installed another dictatorship and granted himself
authority to cancel the mandates of elected officials, to dismiss
public servants, and to revoke for 10 years the political rights of
those found guilty of subversion. Governmental repression reached its
peak at the beginningof the seventies when there was also a great
enthusiasm among the people because of the so called "economical
miracle" (economical growth made possible by foreign loans), and
because Brazil had become world soccer champion for the 3rd time in
1970.
But abuse of power and admnistrative incompetence (including
uncountable cases of corruption and the ruination of the public
educational system) would weaken the authoritarian government and
expose the social and economical wounds of the country. So in the
early 80's, the same middle class that had been a beneficiary from
economical growth under the military regime began to demonstrate
against it. However, only in 1984 Brazil would have a civilian
president again. Tancredo Neves was elected by the congress but was
never able to take office because he became very ill and died shortly
after the elections. The vice-president, Jose Sarney, a man who had
worked closely to the military during about 20 years of dictatorship,
took the presidency. Inflation rate was already high in the last years
of the military regime and would never decrease; undisputable sign of
longlasting crisis it's still a major concern for most Brazilians.

Around 30 years after the last direct elections for president took
place in the country, Brazilians could choose their president again
in 1989. Fernando Collor was elected but didn't even stay half of the
presidential term in office; he resigned for being suspected of
corruption. To a large extent, Collor represents the major Brazilian
problem: a country controlled by a greatly corrupted political elite
not sincerely determined to improve the living standards of the
population.

Part 3.2 - Language (by Luciana Storto)
===================

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese and the Brazilian
society as a rule is largely monolingual. Linguists have classified
the variety of Portuguese spoken in the country as Brazilian
Portuguese, which differs from European Portuguese not unlike American
English differs from the British variety.

The indigenous language which mainly influenced Portuguese was
Tupinamba' (known by Brazilians as Tupi), a Tupi-Guarani language
which was spoken along the whole extension of the coast at the time
the colonizers arrived in the country. During the XVI and XVI
centuries Tupinamba' was used as the contact language between
indigenous populations and Portuguese in territorial expansions in the
south (the "Bandeirantes") and in eastern Amazonia. As a result of
this contact situation, the Poruguese lexicon incorporated a large
number of words from Tupinamba' (especially for place names, fauna and
flora); examples are jabuti `turtle', jacare' `alligator', capim
`grass' and cipo' `vine'.

Another group which had a great impact on Brazilian culture and
language were the Africans; examples of words of African origin are
dende `palm oil', candomble (a religion) and samba (a type of music
and dance).

The south of Brazil has received masses of immigrants in the end of
the XIX century, mainly from Italy, Japan and Germany. These
linguistic groups would quickly make contributions to the enlargement
of the vocabulary and pronunciation of local varieties of Brazilian
Portuguese.

Today, following a world tendency, English words are used especially
in technical fields. However, the average Brazilian - as it is truth
of the average American in the US - does not speak a second
language. Foreign visitors, therefore, should not expect Brazilians to
understand English or even Spanish, even though they may be surprised
with the extent to which Brazilians enjoy to spend time socializing,
in spite of the language barriers.

Useful terms and expressions in Portuguese(*) by i.sa...@ic.ac.uk

English Portuguese
------- ----------
Do you speak English?...................Voce^ fala Ingle^s?
I do not understand.....................Na~o compreendo.
Thank you...............................Obrigado.
You are welcome.........................De nada.
Please..................................Por favor.
Excuse me...............................Com licen_ca.
How much is it?.........................Quanto custa?
It is too expensive!....................Esta' muito caro!
What a bargain!.........................Esta' barato! :-)
I want (...)............................Eu quero (...).
When is it?.............................Quando e'?
Where is it?............................Onde e'?
Where am I?.............................Onde estou?
How far is it?..........................A que dista^ncia?

Yes/No..................................Sim/Na~o.
Go/Stop.................................Siga/Pare.
Entrance/Exit...........................Entrada/Sai'da.
I/you/she/he/we.........................Eu/voce^/ela/ele/no's.
One/two/three/hundred/thousand..........Um/dois/tre^s/cem/mil.
Bank/cash/coin..........................Banco/dinheiro/moeda.
Shop(store)/credit card/cheque..........Loja/carta~o de cre'dito/cheque.
Supermarket/restaurant/food.............Supermercado/restaurante/comida.
Hotel/room/breakfast/lunch..............Hotel/quarto/cafe' da manha/almo_co.
Coffee/tea/water/soft drink/juice.......Cafe'/cha'/a'gua/refrigerante/suco.
Beer/wine/caipirinha....................Cerveja/vinho/caipirinha.
Hot/cold................................Quente/frio.
Airport/Station.........................Aeroporto/Esta_ca~o.
Consulate/Embassy.......................Consulado/Embaixada.
Post Office/stamp/envelope..............Correio/selo/envelope.
Pharmacy,chemist/medicine...............Farma'cia/reme'dio.
Hospital/doctor/dentist.................Hospital/me'dico/dentista.
Ill,sick/pain,ache......................Doente/dor.
Fire Brigade/fireman....................Corpo de bombeiros/bombeiro.
Police Station/policeman................Delegacia de Poli'cia/guarda.
Plane/train/ship/car/bus/taxi...........Avia~o/trem/navio/carro/o^nibus/taxi.
Petrol Station/petrol,gasoline..........Posto de gasolina/gasolina.
Theatre/Cinema/Stadium/Gallery/Museum...Teatro/Cinema/Esta'dio/Galeria/Museu.
Ticket(plane)/ticket(cinema)............Passagem/entrada,ingresso.
North/South/East/West...................Norte/Sul/Leste/Oeste.
Lavatory(toilet)........................Banheiro.
Men/Gentlemen...........................Homens/Cavalheiros.
Women/Ladies............................Mulheres/Senhoras.

Danger..................................Perigo.
Emergency Exit..........................Sai'da de Emerge^ncia.
Bank holiday............................Feriado.
No smoking..............................Proibido Fumar.
No parking..............................Na~o estacione.
Speed limit.............................Limite de velocidade.
Hello...................................Ola'.
Cheers!.................................Sau'de!
Have a nice day!........................Tenha um bom dia!
Good morning............................Bom dia.
Good evening,good night.................Boa noite.
What is your name?......................Qual e' o seu nome?
How are you?............................Como vai?
Very well...............................Muito bem.
Stop thief!!............................Pega ladra~o!!
A cold beer, please.....................Uma loira gelada, por favor. :-)
A cup of coffee and the bill, please....Um cafezinho e a conta, por favor.
See you.................................Ate' logo.
Goodbye.................................Adeus.

(*) Where:
a' is the letter "a" with an acute accent mark.
a~ is the letter "a" with a tilde accent mark.
`a is the letter "a" with a grave accent mark.
e^ is the letter "e" with a circumflex accent mark.
_c is the cedilla.

Indigenous Languages: (by Luciana Storto)

Brazil has approximately 170 languages today. The great majority of
them is spoken in indigenous reservations located in the states of
Amazonas (62), Mato-Grosso (28), Para'(25), Rondonia (25) and Roraima
(11). Most of these lan- guages are part of one of the five major
linguistic groups of Brazil: Tupi, Macro-Ge, Karib, Aruak, and Pano.

The total number of speakers of the Brazilian Indigenous languages is
appro- ximately 150,000. Whereas some languages have thousands of
speakers and are being actively learned by children, many others are
in precarious conditions. For example, the Xipaya (Juruna family,
Tupi stock) language is now spoken by only two older women in
Altamira, Para'. The last two speakers of Purubora', the only language
of the Purubora' family of the Tupi stock (listed as extinct for the
last thirty years) were recently discovered, but they hadn't spoken
the language for 40 years and could remember less than 200 words.

The Tupinamba' (the indigenous language which mainly influenced
Brazilian Portuguese, see up) is today extinct, even though elements of
it survived in the "Lingua Geral Amazonica" or Nheengatu, a language
which retains qualities of Portuguese and Tupinamba', having been
largely spoken in Amazonia in the XVII, XVIII and XIX centuries. Its
descendant today is called Nheengatu, which is spoken, among other
regions, in the upper Rio Negro (NW Amazonia).

The great majority of the Brazilian indians are at least bilingual,
since, apart from their own language, they speak
Portuguese. Multilingualism can also be found in certain regions, such
as the eastern Uape's river, where Tukano po- pulations, due to
exogamous marriages and linguistic purism, speak in average 3 to 5
languages.

Reference: Rodrigues, Aryon, 1986. Linguas Brasileiras - Para o
Conhecimento das linguas indigenas. Sao Paulo: Loyola. Some of the
information above was given to me first-hand by Dr. Denny Moore from
the Linguistic Division of the Museu Emi'lio Goeldi, Bele'm, PA,
Brazil.

Part - 3.3 Culture (by Ricardo Esparta, 1st Version)
==================

The Brazilian population today comes from four ethnic groups: the
indigenous Indians, the colonizing Portuguese, the African Negroes,
and a number of immigrant European and Oriental groups that have come
to Brazil since the 1850's. The most important of these cultures is
that of the Portuguese, from whom the Brazilians acquired their
language, their religion and most of their traditional customs. The
indian contribution to Brazilian culture is perhaps most apparent in
the Amazon Basin. Evident in northern coastal regions are religious
cults of African origin. African influence is also reflected in
Brazilian popular music, especially in the rhythmic samba. Brazil is
a country that adapts readily to rapid changes and new opportunities.

The attempt upon to impart "Brazilianness" to the arts succeds in the
hands of creative geniuses: the composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (a
powerful force in breaking with tradition to create distinctively
Brazilian compositions by weaving into his music folk themes and
rhythms), the painter Candido Portinari (influential in developing a
uniquely Brazilian style, blending the abstract techniques of Europe
with the real people and landscapes), the novelist Joao Guimaraes Rosa
(always using regional and traditional themes though treated in very
experimental and personal linguistic style), the architect Oscar
Niemeyer (the creator, in collaboration with Lucio Costa, of the
capital's original layout), and the cinema director Glauber Rocha (?),
who have handled Brazilian themes with a distinctly Brazilian
attitude.

Brazilian cultural life has been influenced by a series of
intellectual movements since independence. Some have aimed at a
cultural renewal or modernization; others at a return to national
traditions. A complex and vigorous group of poets novelists,
short-story writers, literary critics and essayists are imparting to
Brazilian literature an authenticity not so much of theme as of
attitude. Here is a result of prenational and national development of
Brazilian culture with its characteristic combination of
cosmopolitanism and tropicalism. It embodies a tendency continuous
from colonial days toward a genuine ethnic democracy - not
imcompatible with an equally persistent tendency toward aristocracy of
family, manners and spirit. Brazil's greatest novelist and short-story
writer, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), was socially a
plebeian but an aristocrat in spirit and literary form, though not a
pedant.

A tipically romantic movement of the 19th century was Indianism, which
emphasized Amerindian themes in art, music and literature. It produced
a sociologically important type of novel (as exemplified in the work
of Jose Martiniano de Alencar), of poetry (Antonio Goncalves Dias),
and music (Carlos Gomes, whose opera 'O Guarani' is based on Alencar's
novel about a noble Guarani indian).

The regionalist-traditionalist movement are generally associated with
the so-called regional novel of the 1930's, as exemplified by the work
of Jose Lins do Rego, Graciliano Ramos, Rachel de Queiroz and Jorge
Amado.The movement also stimulated historical, anthropological , and
sociological studies of a new type, involving a fresh approach on the
part of the Brazilian intelligentsia to Brazilian popular art,
folklore and traditions. Later, the movement influenced many other
writers, among them the poet Joao Cabral de Melo Neto, the dramatist
Ariano Suassuna and the novelist Joao Guimaraes Rosa.

The modernism movement, started in 1922, was inspired by new
tendencies in European arts and letters. A branch of it was
cosmopolitanism and another one was inclined to be
nationalistic. Modernism counted among its leading proponents the
writers Pereira Graca Aranha (novelist), Manuel Bandeira (poet with
conections with the regionalist movement), Mario de Andrade (novelist,
poet, musicologist), Oswald de Andrade (poet and novelist) and Carlos
Drummond de Andrade (poet); the composer Heitor Villa-Lobos; the
painters Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano di Cavalcanti; and the
sculptor Victor Brecheret.

Popular dance and music: Ballet and even church music in Brazil have
been inspired by folk dances and songs, most of Amerindian and African
origin. Brazil is one of the main sources of internationally popular
rythms, dances, and music styles , of which samba and bossa nova are
notable examples. Another tendency in popular music is the protest
song, with political and social implications.

Architecture: The landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx has made
urban Brazilians especially aware of the splendours of their natural
environment by replacing the traditional formal European-style with
profusions of native species in close association of their natural
settings. Some of Marx's landscapes have been used to set off the
imaginative structures of Brazil's world-renowed architect Oscar
Niemeyer. Brazil also cherishes numerous splendid structures from its
colonial and imperial past from the tiled houses and ornate churches
of Salvador to the palaces and public buildings of Rio de
Janeiro. Among the most revered of these are the 18th-century churches
in Minas Gerais that were adorned by facades, biblical scenes, and
statues carved in soapstone by Antonio Francisco Lisboa, better known
as Aleijadinho.

Reference: Freyre, Gilberto (1965) Brazilian cultural life in

************************** 4.0 Travel and Tourism **************************

*************** 4.1 General Travel Information about Brazil ****************

For hundreds of years Brazil has symbolized the great escape into a
primordial, tropical paradise. No country ignites the Western imaginations as
Brazil does. From the mad passion of Carnival to the enormity of the dark
Amazon, Brazil is a country of mythical proportions.

Roughly the size of the continental United States, Brazil is a vast country
encompassing nearly half of South America and bordering each of the continents
lesser nations with the exceptions of Ecuador and Chile. After 40 years of
internal migration and population growth, Brazil is also an urban country; more
than two out of every three Brazilians live in a city. Sao Paulo, with the
12 million inhabitants, is one of the most populous megalopolises in the world.
Nevertheless, Brazil's population is clustered along the atlantic coast and
much of the country - including the massive Amazon basin- remains scarcely
populated and inaccessible.

For most, the Brazilian journey begins in Rio de Janeiro. For some it goes
no further. One of the world's great tourist cities, Rio has developed a
highly advanced culture of pleasure. It revolves around the planet's most
famous beaches Copacabana and Ipanema - and is fuelled by the music and dance
of samba, the beauty of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf, the athleticism of football,
the happiness of ice-cold cerveja (beer), the camaraderie of papo (chit-chat)
and the cult of body-beautiful. This hedonism reaches its climax in the big
bang of ecstasy that is Carnival - four days of revelry and debauchery
unrivalled by any other party on the globe.

Perhaps Brazil is not the paradise on earth that many travellers once imagined,
but it is a land of often unimaginable beauty. There are stretches of
unexplored rainforest, islands of pristine tropical beaches, and endless
rivers. Then there are the people themselves who delight the visitor with
their energy, fantasy and joy.
. . . . From the book "A Travel Survival Kit" Brazil.

********************* 4.2 Travel Information by Region **********************

For the purposes of this section, the country has been divided into five
regions: the northern, the northeastern, the west-central, the southeastern and
the southern.

The Northern Region
The states of Amazonas, Para, Acre and Rondonia cover an area of more than
3,400,000 sq km (1,300,000 sq miles) but have a combined population of
little more than 6 000,000. Almost entirely covered with thick rain forest, the
north of Brazil is known as the 'exotic Amazon' and is an area where nature
prevails over all else (except, perhaps, the slash-and-burn agriculturalists
and road-builders). Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas. It
contains the Amazonas theatre, with a majestic neo-classical facade, a number
of fine restaurants and hotels and a free trade zone which is excellent for
cheap shopping. The Amazon river and its tributaries are ideal for boat
excursions, and also offer excellent angling. Belem has a splendid park and
market as well as many fine churches. The Goeldi Museum contains the largest
collection of tropical plants in the world. Maray's Island is the cradle of the
Marajoara civilisation; Santarem, Rio Branco and Porto Velho are also all worth
a visit.

The Northeastern Region
Known as the 'Golden Coast', this region contains the states of Bahia, Sergipe,
Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao.
It covers nearly 1,600,000 sq km (600,000 sq miles) and has a population of 35
million. The area is distinctive for its historical and folkloric traditions,
as well as for its many beautiful beaches. Salvador, the capital of Bahia,
contains the beautiful arts and crafts market of the Mercado Modelo. The number
and variety of churches in Salvador is staggering; some of the best include the
convent of Sao Francisco de Assis and the church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.
Salvador is also renowned for its museums, some of which are converted
churches. The area around the city also has many excellent beaches. The towns
of Ilheus, Porto Seguro, and Aracaju all have fine churches and colonial
architecture worth visiting. Recife, known as the 'Venice of Brazil' on account
of the canals and waterways which criss-cross the city, is also well endowed
with churches. Olinda, Caruaru, Natal, Fortaleza, Teresina and Sao Luis are
also notable for their architecture, craftworkers and fine beaches.

The West Central Region
An area of huge marshes traversed by the Araguaia River, it consists of the
states of Goias, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. It covers as area of
1,900,000 million sq km (730,000 sq miles) and has a population of nearly eight
million. The region is best known for its pleasant climate, and for its huge
cattle ranches and plantations. Brasilia is known worldwide for its
futuristic architecture, which is most notable in the Praca dos Tres Poderes,
Palacio do Planalto, and The National Congress. Goias, 200km (120 miles) to
the west, serves as a jumping off point for tourists visiting the Araguaia
River, Bananal Island and the thermal springs of Caldas Novas. Mato Grosso is
the gateway to the Pantanal, which is Brazil's largest ecological reserve where
farm-hotels house tourists and organise fishing trips and photographic
excursions.

The Southeast Region
This comprises the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and
Espirito Santo. It covers an area of more than 900,000 sq km (350,000 sq miles)
and has a population of nearly 53 million. It is the country's most developed
region and offers the best tourist facilities, including a wide variety of
scenic and historic resorts. Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful
settings in the world. Renowned for its excellent beaches, such as Copacabana
and Ipanema, the city is chiefly known for its world famous carnival. Sao Paulo
is famed throughout the continent for its night-life and its shopping
facilities. The gold boom in Minas Gerais during the 18th century produced a
number of historic towns, the most famous being Ouro Preto. The southeast
region has a number of spas, known for their marvellous climate and mineral
water; all are well equipped to accommodate the traveller, Petropolis,
Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo are but a few of these.

The Southern Region
This consists of three states, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana,
covering an area of over 570,000 sq km (220,000 sq miles). The ideal climate
has made this region the most popular among European immigrants. Rio Grande do
Sul is one of the richest states in Brazil, and is equipped with good tourist
facilities. Porto Alegre, its capital, offers the visitor fine museums and art
centres as well as delightful surrounding countryside. The most popular beaches
in this area are the Tramandai and Torres, respectively 126km (78 miles) and
209km (130 miles) from Porto Alegre. The Gramado and Canela mountains are also
popular with tourists. The state of Santa Catarina, with its island capital of
Florianopolis, also has fine beaches at Laguna, Itapema and Camboriu. Parana is
a prime coffee producing state. The train journey between its capital Curitiba
and Paranagua is a sightseeing must, as is Vila Velha (the City of Stone) and -
most famous of all - the Foz do Iguacu (Iguazu Falls), the massive waterfalls
on the border with Argentina and Paraguay.

************************** 4.2 Entry Requirements ***************************

Passport Required by all except for nationals from the Mercosul (The
South-american common market) - Argentina, Uruguay e Paraguay.
Passports should be valid for six months beyond the date of arrival.
Visa Required by all except nationals of EC countries, Scandinavian
countries, Canada, most South American countries and certain others.
No restriction on import/export of local currency. Foreign currency
import unlimited but amounts must be declared; export of foreign
currency allowed up to declared amount. Regulations liable to change
at short notice. International credit cards widely used, though cash
advances only paid in local currency.

Valid passport required by all. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
British Visitors Passport: Not acceptable.

VISAS: Required by all except;
(a) nationals of EC countries other than France.

(b) nationals of Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, Columbia,
Ecuador, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Norway,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Switzerland, Sweden, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago
and Uruguay.

Note: All travellers must be in possession of onward or return tickets;
alternatively, evidence that sufficient funds are available to purchase a
return ticket to their country of origin will be sufficient, providing a
satisfactory reason for not having an onward or return ticket is also given.

Types of visa: Tourist, Business, Transit (required by all passengers in
transit). A fee may be charged if visa is not applied for personally. Tourist
visas valid for up to 90 days. For an extension of this period apply in Brazil.
Tourists are not allowed to work in Brazil. Send application to Consulate (or
Consular Section at Embassy). Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b)
Application form. (c) Sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (d) 1 photo.
Working days required: 3 clear days. For temporary residence, apply to
Consulate.

Note: Visitors on business require a letter from their firm giving full details
and confirming financial responsibility for the applicant. Visas will not be
granted if the validity of the passport expires within 6 months.

************************* 4.3 Health Information **************************

Mandatory:
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from infected areas.
Advisable:
Yellow fever vaccination essential for visits to infected areas within Brazil;
these include Mato Grosso, Rondonia and states surrounding the Amazon. Typhoid
paratyphoid and polio vaccinations also recommended. Malaria prophylaxis
advisable for visits to Amazon regions. Water precautions should be taken.

PRECAUTIONS CERTIFICATE
ADVISED? REQUIRED?
--------- ---------
Yellow Fever 1 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid/Polio Yes -
Malaria 2 -
Food/Drink 3 -
(1): A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 6
months of age arriving from infected regions. Vaccination is strongly
recommended for those intending to visit rural areas in Acre, Amazonas, Goias,
Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Matto Gross do Sul, Para and Rondonia States and the
Territories of Amapa and Roraima.

(2): Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 900m in Acre and Rondonia
States, in the Territories of Amapa and Roraima, and in some rural areas in
Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso and Para States. The malignant
falciparum form of the disease is reportedly highly resistant to both
chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethane.

(3): All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used
for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or
otherwise sterilised. Pasteurised milk and cheese is available in towns and is
generally considered safe to consume. Milk outside of urban areas is
unpasteurised and should be boiled; powdered or tinned milk is available and is
advised in rural areas, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water.
Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from local milk. Only
eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and
mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit
peeled. Rabies is present. For those at high risk vaccination before arrival
should be considered. If you are bitten abroad seek medical advice without
delay. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in
fresh water. Swimming pools which are well- chlorinated and maintained are
safe.

Health care: English-speaking medical staff are found mainly in Sao Paulo and
Rio de Janeiro. The main hospital in Sao Paulo is the Hospital Samaritano. Full
insurance is recommended as medical costs are high.

************************** 4.4 Methods of payment **************************

Credit cards: Access/Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are
accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Tourists cannot exchange US travellers cheques for US
banknotes.

Currency restrictions: Free import and export of local currency. Free import of
foreign currency, subject to declaration. Free export of foreign currency up to
the amount declared.

The following goods may be taken into Brazil without incurring any duty: 400
cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 25 cigars; 2 litres of spirits; 280g of
perfume. Prohibited goods: meat and cheese products from various countries;
contact the Embassy for details. The total value of imported goods may not
exceed US$300.

********************** 4.5 Getting tourism information **********************

NOTE: For up to date listing of places to get tourist information
please check on ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory /pub/rec-travel as
tourism-offices or on rtfm.mit.edu as
/pub/usenet/news.answers/travel/tourism-offices

Here are addresses of where to write to get tourist information on
Brazil:

4.5.1 Within Brazil:

Brazil- Embratur-Brazilian Tourism Board
Rua Mariz e Barros, 13
Rio de Janeiro, 20270, Brazil
+55-21-273-2212;; FAX +55-21-273-9290
Brazilian Chamber of Commerce
Avenida Rio Branco, 91, 8 S/10/12, 20040
Rio de Janeiro
+55-21-221-1901

Cebitur (Tourist Office)
Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 1323
Sao Paulo
RioTur City of Rio de Janeiro.
Rua da Assembleia, 10/8th and 9th floor.
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
+55-21-297-7117, +55-21-242-8000 Automated;; FAX +55-21-252-7779.
Rio Convention Bureau
+55-21-259-6165;; FAX +55-21-511-2592
Tourist Information Centre
Barata Ribeiro 272
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
Sao Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau
+55-11-289-9397

Embratur / Rj - Brazilian Tourist Board
Rua Mariz E Barros, 13 - CEP 20.270 - Rj
Tel-(021) - 273-2212 / 293-1313 / 293-1516

Embratur / BrasÍlia - Brazilian Tourist Board
Setor Comercial Norte
Quadra 2 - Bloco G - 3º Andar - CEP 70.000 - BrasíLia /Df
Tel - (061)- 224-9100
Fax: (061)-223-9889

Rondonia
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/Ro
Rua Padre Chiquinho, 580
Esplanada Das Secretarias
78900 - Porto Velho - RO
Tel.: (69) 223-2276

Acre
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/AC
Av. GetÚlio Vargas, 659
69000 - Rio Branco - AC
Tel.: (68) 224-3997

Amazonas
Empresa Amazonense De Turismo - Emamtur
Av. Taruma, 379
69025 - Manaus - AM
Tel.: (92) 234-5642 And 233-9973

Roraima
Coordenadoria De Turismo
Rua Coronel Pinto, 241
EdifÍcio Boa Vista
69300 - Boa Vista - RR
Tel.: (95) 224-9977 And 224-9454

ParÁ
Companhia Paraense De Turismo - Paratur
Feira Do Artesanato
PraÇa Kennedy, S/N
66030 - BelÉm - PA - Cx: 839
Tel.: (91) 224-9633 And 224-9155

AmapÁ
Departamento De Turismo - Detur/Ap
Av.: Raimunda Alvares Da Costa, 18 - Centro
68900 - MacapÁ - AP
Tel.: (96) 223-4555 And 223-2331

Tocantins
Coordenadoria De Turismo Do Estado De Tocantins
Secretaria De Estado Do Desenvolvimento Da IndÚstria E Do ComÉrcio
77000 - Palmas, TO
Tel: (62) 866-1084

MaranhÃo
Empresa Maranhense De Turismo - Maratur
Rua Portugal - Centro
Projeto Reviver
65000 - SÃo Luis - MA
Tel.: (98) 221-1231 And 221-1276

PiauÍ
Empresa De Turismo Do PiauÍ - Piemtur
Rua Alvaro Mendes, 1988
64020 - Teresina - PI
Tel.: (86) 222-6202 And 222-6254

CearÁ
Empresa Cearense De Turismo - Emcetur
Centro De ConvenÇÕes Do CearÁ
Av. Washington Soares, 1141
60810 - Fortaleza - CE
Tel.: (85) 239-1623 And 226-7122

Rio Grande Do Norte
Empresa De PromoÇÃo E Desenvolvimento Do Turismo Do Rio Grande Do Norte S/A - Emproturn
Centro De ConvenÇÕes
Via Costeira, S/N - Ponta Negra
59010 - Natal - RN
Tel.: (84) 221-1451 And 221-1453

ParaÍba
Empresa Paraibana De Turismo S/A - PB - Tur
Av. Almirante TamandarÉ, 100
Centro TurÍstico De Tambau
58033 - JoÃo Pessoa - PB
Tel.: (83) 226-7078 And 226-6873

Pernambuco
Empresa Pernambucana De Turismo - Empetur
Av. Conde Da Boa Vista, 700 - Boa Vista
50060 - Recife - PE
Tel.: (81) 231-4421 And 231-5803

Alagoas
Empresa Alagoana De Turismo S.A. - Ematur
Av. Siqueira Campos S/N - 2nd Floor
Trapiche Da Barra
57010 - MaceiÓ - AL
Tel.: (82) 221-9393 And 221-8987

Sergipe
Empresa Sergipana De Turismo - Emsetur
Centro De Int. ComunitÁrio Min. Jose Hugo
Castelo Branco - Distrito Industrial
Rua Q - Super Quadra K - S/N
49000 - AracajÚ - SE
Tel.: (79) 231-9164 And 231-9165

Bahia
Empresa De Turismo Da Bahia S/A - Bahiatursa
Loteamento Jardim ArmaÇÃo
Centro De ConvenÇÃo Da Bahia
41700 - Salvador - BA
Tel.: (71) 371-1522 And 230-3159

Minas Gerais
Empresa Mineira De Turismo - Turminas
Rua Guajajaras, 1022
30180 Belo Horizonte - MG - P.O.Box 906
Tel.: (31) 201-3247 And 201-3942

EspÍrito Santo
Empresa Capixaba De Turismo - Emcatur
Rua BarÃo De Monjardim, 30
29010 - VitÓria - ES - P.O. Box 1367
Tel.: (27) 222-0309 And 222-0711

Rio De Janeiro
Cia Turismo Est. Rio De Janeiro - Turisrio
Rua Da AssemblÉia, 10 / 7th And 8th Floors
20011 - Rio De Janeiro - RJ
Tel.: (21) 221-8422 And 252-2646

SÃo Paulo
Secretaria Esportes E Turismo Estado De SÃo Paulo
Coordenadoria De Turismo
Rua SÃo Bento, 380 - 1st Floor
01010 - SÃo Paulo - SP
Tel.: (11) 239-0087 And 239-0094

ParanÁ
FundaÇÃo De Esporte E Turismo - Festur
Rua Deputado Mario De Barros, 1290
EdifÍcio Caetano Munhoz Da Rocha
80530 - Curitiba - PR
Tel.: (41) 254-7273

Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina Turismo S/A - Santur
Rua Felipe Schmidt, 21 - 9th Floor
Centro Com. Aderbal Ramos Da Silva
88010 - FlorianÓpolis - SC - P.O. Box D-3
Tel.: (48) 24-6300 And 24-5862

Rio Grande Do Sul
Cia. Rio-Grandense De Turismo - Crtur
Rua Dos Andradas, 1137 - 6th Floor
90020 - Porto Alegre - RS
Tel.: (512) 28-7695 And 28-1311

Mato Grosso
Empresa Matogrossense De Turismo S/A - Turimat
PraÇa Da RepÚblica, 131
78000 - CuiabÁ - MT - P.O. Box 500
Tel.: (65) 322-5363 And 322-5749

Mato Grosso Do Sul
Departamento Geral De Fomento Ao Turismo
Parque Dos Poderes, Bl 3 - Ala D
79013 - Campo Grande - MS
Tel.: (67) 721-4180 And 721-4680

GoiÁs
SuperintendÊncia De Turismo De GoiÁs - Goiastur
EstÁdio Serra Dourada
Ala Sul - 3rd Floor - Jardim GoiÁs
74510 - Goiânia
Tel.: (62) 225-7491 And 223-1459

Distrito Federal
Dept. De Turismo Do Distrito Federal - Detur
Setor De DivulgaÇÃo Cultural
Centro De ConvenÇÕes, 3rd Floor
70075 - BrasÍlia - DF
Tel.: (61) 225-5710 And 225-5703

4.5.2 Outside of Brazil:

Brazilian Tourism Bureau(USA, FL)
2828 SW 22nd St
Miami, FL 33145
+1-305-445-9694
Brazilian Tourism Office(USA, NY)
551 5th Ave
#-590 New York, NY 10176
+1-212-286-9600
Brazil -Funtur-Brazilian Tourism Foundation(USA, NY)
551 5th Ave. #519
New York, NY 10176
+1-212-286-9600;; FAX +1-212-490-9294

Rio- TurisRio (USA)
55 East 59th St, 18th floor
New York, NY 10022
+1-212-759-7878;; FAX +1-212-759-7288

Also there is a program which runs on an IBM compatible PC that has
all kinds of Brazilian tourism information on it, it is:
/f...@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil/bratour.zip

*********************** 4.6 Travel books on Brazil *************************

a. the South American Handbook
b. Lonely Planet "Brazil, a survival kit"
c. The Real Guide "Brazil"

** 4.7 Travel agencies and Tour companies that deal with travel to Brazil ****

Here are some numbers of travel agencies specializing in service to
Brazil. We don't vouch for any of them.

New York Agents
Brazilian American Cultural Center: 800-222-2746
BasBrasil (Marcela) 212-682-5310 800-GOTO-RIO
Brazilian American Systems (Monica) 212-730 1010
Brazilian Vacation Center 212-840 3733
Argentinia Worldwide Travel (Cristina) 212-481 0111
Marco Polo 800-421-5276
World Destination Travel 212-977-7402 800-292-9382
Glaizer Travel Inc. 212-265-0247

West Coast Agents
rioroma travel 800-2-brasil or 415-921-3353
Brazilian Fiesta Tours Angelo 415-986-1134

Midwest Agents
Travel Corner 312-726-2668, 800-554-6342
Minneapolis Paul 612-788-6288

Florida Agents
AP Travel 305-565-3481 800-525-9112
Fredson Travel 305-577-8422 800-626-8422
Sky Express Charters (Marcia) 305-358-0444
EUROAMERICA (Marcia) 305-358-3003
Travel Globo 813-547-8446
Brazilian Wave 800-682-3315 305-568-1521 FAX
Discover Brasil 800-524-3666, 305-382-9443
Miami Int'l Travel 305-441-0808
NEW PORT TOURS 800-551-1059, 305-372-5007
Via Brasil Travel 305-866-7580

******************* 4.7 International Travel Information ********************

International Air access

NOTE: For up to date phone numbers of airlines check
on ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory /pub/rec-travel as
tourism-offices or on rtfm.mit.edu as
/pub/usenet/news.answers/travel/tourism-offices

Airlines that fly to Brazil:
Aeroperu, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Aruba, Air France, Alitalia, American
Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International,
Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Ladeco, Lan-Chile, LAP - Lineas Aereas
Paraguay, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano LAB, Lufthansa, Maimi Air International, Pluna,
Royal Air Maroc, SAS, South African Airways, Surinam Airways, Swissair, TAM,
TAP Air Portugal, Tower Air, TransBrasil, TTAG Angola, Varig, Vasp, VIASA, World
Airways.

International airports:
Belem-Val de Cans (BEL), 12 km from city; Belo Horizonte-Pampulha (BHZ), 9 km
north of city, restaurant, buffet; Brasilia-International (BSB), 11 km from
city, duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel
reservations, car hire; Confins Internacional (CNF), 45 km north of city;
Manaus-Eduardo Gomes International (MAO), 18 km north of city, duty-free shop,
bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops, car hire; Porto
Alegre-Salgado Filho (POA), 8 km from city, restaurant, buffet, bank; Rio de
Janeiro (RIO), 12 km north of city, bar, hotel, taxi, duty-free shop,
restaurant; International-Galeao (GIG), 20 km from Rio, bar, restaurant,
buffet, bank, post office, shops, hotel reservations, car hire; Santos Dumont
(SDU), in city centre (air shuttle to Sao Paulo every half hour at peak times);
Salvador-Dois de Julho (SSA), 36 km from city, restaurant, buffet; Sao Paulo
(SAO): Congonhas (CGH), 14 km south-west of city; Guarulhos (GRU), 26 km
north-east of city, restaurant, bank, post office, shops; Viracopos (VCP), 96.5
km north-west of city, bar, restaurant, buffet, bank, post office, shops.

AIR: Brazil's main international airline is Varig (RG). Approximate flight
times: From London to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours 50 minutes and to Sao Paulo is
11 hours. From Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro is 13 hours 55 minutes. From New
York to Rio de Janeiro is 10 hours 10 minutes. From Sydney to Rio de Janeiro
is 19 hours 55 minutes. International airports: Rio de Janeiro (Galeao) (GIG),
20km (12.5 miles) northwest of city. There are regular bus services between the
International and Santa Dumont airports, and into the city. Airport facilities
include car parking, duty free shop, banking, restaurant. Sao Paulo
(Guarulhos) (GRU) 25km (15 miles) northeast of the city. Regular bus and taxi
services. Airport facilities include duty free shops and restaurants. Sao
Paulo (Viracopos) (VCP), 96km (60 miles) southwest of the city. Airport
facilities include banking, a duty free shop and a restaurant. Sao Paulo
(Congonhas) (CGH), 14km (8 miles) from the city. Manaus (Internacional Eduardo
Gomes) (MAO), 14km (9 miles) southeast of city. There are coach services into
the city and to other destinations. Salvador (Dois de Julho) (SSA), 36km (22
miles) from the city. 24- hour taxi facilities are available. Airport
facilities include banking, a duty-free shop and a restaurant. Note: Brasilia
does not have an international airport. All connections are made via Rio de
Janeiro. Bus and taxi services are available to all cities.

Departure tax: US$10.00 is levied on international departures.

SEA: Passenger cruises from Europe run by Lamport and Holt lines. Other cruise
lines, some of which also organise cruises down the Amazon are Lindblad Travel,
Delta, Costa, Society Expeditions. Main ports; Paranagua, Recife, Rio de
Janeiro, Santos and Vitoria. Also numerous smaller ports including Belem,
Tubarao, Santana, Maceio, Sao Sebastiao, Madre de Jesus, Areia Branca, Rio
Grande.

RAIL: Limited rail services link Brazil with Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay.
For details contact Brazilian Tourist Office.

ROAD: It is possible to drive or take a bus to Brazil from the USA but it is
wise to check any changes in political status or requirements in Central
America before travelling. TEPSA buses from Brazil connect through other
Central American countries with the USA bus network. Pluma, based in Curitiba,
operates the 4300km (2700 mile) route from Rio to Santiago de Chile, and
Soletur operates other international routes from Rio. For further information
contact the Brazilian Tourist Office. Documentation: International Driving
Permit required. This must be validated by Automovel Club de Brazil. Overland
access is possible by road from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay (e.g. bus
services Curitiba-Asuncion, Porto Alegre-Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro-Buenos
Aires).

********************** 4.8 Internal Travel Information **********************

NOTE: There is a PC program that contains lots of info about tourism in Brazil:
/f...@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil/bratour.zip

NOTE: When travelling between cities on public transport, visitors must carry
passports, as proof of identity is required.

BUS: Inter-urban transport is very much road based (accounting for 97% of
travellers) compared with air (2.2%) and rail (less than 1%). High quality
coaches have been increasingly introduced on the main routes, which are well
served. Operators include: Cometa, which operates between Sao Paulo and Belo
Horizonte; Penha (Sao Paulo-Porto Alegre); Reunidas (Sao Paulo- Aracatuba);
Motta (Sao Paulo-Campo Grande); Garcia (Sao Paulo-Londrina); Real-Expresso (Sao
Paulo-Rio-Brasilia); TransBrasiliana (Rio-Belem); Sulamericana (Curitiba-Foz do
Iguazu); and Expresso Brasileiro (Sao Paulo-Rio). Services connect all
inhabited parts of the country. Standards and time- tables vary, and the
visitor must be prepared for overnight stops and long waits between connecting
stages. Car hire: Available in all major centres. Traffic drives on the right.
Parking in cities is very difficult and it is best to avoid driving through the
often congested city areas if at all possible.

ROAD: Brazil has 1,400,000km (900,000 miles) of roads.
International driving licence required, which must be validated by Automovil
Club do Brasil. Traffic is often congested in main cities. Petrol is of poor
quality and expensive. Service stations are rare on some roads (e.g. Belo
Horizonte-Brasilia) and often closed on Sundays. A foreign license is valid
for six months, although a certificate of validity must be obtained from the
Brazilian driving authorities.

AIR: There is a shuttle service between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a regular
service from Sao Paulo to Brasilia, and a shuttle service from Brasilia to Belo
Horizonte. There are air services between all Brazilian cities, Brazil having
one of the largest internal air networks in the world. At weekends it is
advisable to book seats as the services are much used. Air taxis are available
between all major centres. Advance booking not necessary for shuttle flights
between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo (about one hour). Main internal airlines
are Varig, Cruzeiro, Transbrasil and Vasp.

SEA/RIVER: Ferries serve all coastal ports. River transport is the most
efficient method for the Amazon delta. Services on Sao Francisco River between
Juazeiro and Pirapora and up the Amazon to Manaus. Hydrofoil service between
Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.

RAIL: State and privately owned railways operate limited services to most main
centres throughout country. Service is generally slower than bus and
long-distance travelling can be uncomfortable. Good sleeper services with
restaurant cars operate between Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.

URBAN: There are extensive bus services in all the main centres, often with
express 'executivo' at premium fares run by air- conditioned coaches. Rio and
Sao Paulo both have two-line metros and local rail lines, and there are
trolleybuses in Sao Paulo and a number of other cities. Trolleybuses are
increasingly being introduced as an energy-saving measure. Fares are generally
regulated with interchange possible between some bus and metro/rail lines, for
instance on the feeder bus linking the Rio metro with Copacabana. Taxis: In
most cities these are identified by red number plates, and are fitted with
meters. Willingness immediately to accept a taxi-driver's advice on where to go
or where to stay should be tempered by the knowledge that places to which he
takes a visitor are more than likely to give him a commission - and the highest
commissions will usually come from the most expensive places.

Metro: Two-line service in Rio de Janeiro. Line one goes from Botafogo Station
to Saenz Pena Station (Tijuca): (Mon-Sat) 0600 - 2300. Line two cuts across the
city's centre, from Estacio Station to the Maria de Graca Station: (Mon-Sat)
0600 - 2000. Also two line network in Sao Paulo. Integrated bus/metro tickets
available.

Taxis: In Rio de Janeiro several types. So called 'common' taxi (yellow with
checkered stripe), radio taxi (white, with a red and yellow stripe). Mostly
metered and can be hailed. A 40 per cent surcharge operates between 2300 -
0600, on Sundays and public holidays. Tipping optional.

HOTELS
Graded from one to five stars. Wide range available in main towns but sometimes
heavily booked (e.g. during Carnival) and advance booking advisable. Listings
available from local tourist offices. Accommodation varies according to
region. First class accommodation is, by and large, restricted to the cities of
the south. The national hotel association is EMBRATUR.

CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Cars may be hired, and camping arranged on safari tours or
group 'exploration' trips in the Amazon region. The road network in Brazil is
good and is being expanded, but since many parts of Brazil are wild, or semi-
explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with organised groups
under supervision and with official permits, or otherwise to stay in recognised
hotels. The country is peaceful, but because it is so large there is a real
danger of getting lost, or being injured or killed by natural accident or lack
of local knowledge of survival. Those with an 'international camper's card'
pay only half the rate of a non-member (about US$4 per person). The Camping
Club do Brasil has 43 sites in 13 states. For those on a low budget, service
stations can be used as camping sites. These are equipped with shower
facilities and can supply food.

FOOD & DRINK: Many regional variations which are very different from North
American and European food. One example is Bahian cookery, derived from days
when slaves had to cook scraps and anything that could be caught locally,
together with coconut milk and palm oil. Specialities include vatapa (shrimps,
fish oil and coconut milk, bread and rice), sarapatel (liver, heart, tomatoes,
peppers, onion and gravy), caruru (shrimps, okra, onions and peppers). From Rio
Grande do Sul comes churrasco (barbecued beef, tomato and onion sauce), galleto
al primo canto (pieces of cockerel cooked on the spit with white wine and oil).
>From Amazon comes pato no tucupi (duck in rich wild green herb sauce), tacaca
thick yellow soup with shrimps and garlic). In the northeast dried salted meat
and beans are the staple diet. In Rio de Janeiro a favourite dish is feijoada
(thick stew of black beans, chunks of beef, pork, sausage, chops, pigs' ears
and tails on white rice, boiled green vegetables and orange slices). Types of
establishments vary. Table service is usual in most restaurants and cafes. If
resident in a hotel, drinks and meals can often be charged to account. Drink:
All kinds of alcoholic drink are manufactured and available and there are no
licensing hours or restrictions on drinking. Beer is particularly good and
draught beer is called chopp. Local liqueur is cachaca, local equivalent of
whisky popular with locals but not so much with visitors. Southern Brazilian
wine is of a high quality. Some bars have waiters and table service.

NIGHTLIFE: The best entertainment occurs in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In
Rio the major clubs do not present their main acts until after midnight and the
daily paper gives current information; small clubs (boites) provide nightly
entertainment throughout the city. Sao Paulo nightlife is more sophisticated,
with greater choice; the shows tend to start earlier.

SHOPPING: In Rio and Sao Paulo major shops and markets stay open quite late in
the evening. Rio and Bahia specialise in antiques and jewellery. Special
purchases include: gems (particularly emeralds), jewellery (particularly
silver), souvenirs and permissible antiques, leather or snakeskin goods.
Fashions and antiques, crystal and pottery is a speciality of Sao Paulo. Belem,
the city of the Amazon valley, specialises in jungle items, but be careful that
you are not purchasing objects that have been plundered from the jungle,
contributing to the general destruction. Check for restrictions on import to
your home country of goods made from skins of protected species. Shopping
hours: 0900-1700 Monday to Friday; 0900-1230 Saturday. Most department stores
close at 2200. All the above times are subject to local variations and many
shops open until late in the evenings.

SPORT: Association football is the national obsession, the national team having
won the World Cup on three occasions. Ball games and athletics are also
popular. Capoeira, a martial art, was developed by black slaves in colonial
times disguised as a dance to an African musical rhythm. Mountain climbing,
hang- gliding and racing are popular, and safari trips are available to the
Mato Grosso or the Amazon jungle; big game hunting is, however, now illegal.
Waterskiing and underwater diving clubs exist all along the coastline. Both
deep sea and river fishing are available.

SPECIAL EVENTS: There are a number of lavish festivals throughout the year in
Brazil, the two most notable being Bahia's carnival just after Christmas (from
December to March) and the carnival in Rio de Janeiro (February), widely
regarded as the most spectacular and extravagant in the world. For details of
exact dates, contact the Tourist Information Office.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Handshaking customary on meeting and taking one's leave,
and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea
are customary.

Tipping: 10% is usual for most services not included on the bill.

**************************** 4.8 Travel Warnings ****************************

Large cities in Brazil, along with most of the large cities of the world, have
experienced major crime problems. As such, when traveling to countries such as
Brazil, you should be careful and observe common-sense rules. Don'ts: Don't
wear jewelry, don't carry expensive items openly. Do's; Do dress like
everyone else on the street, Do split your money up into 2 or 3
locations on your person, Do use a money belt, Do keep an eye or hand
on your luggage at all times.

******************************* 5.0 Internet *******************************

Brazil's access to the Internet is increasing at great speed, here are
some ways to access the information on it:

If you're unable to post to or read the brasil.* hierarchy, talk to
your system administrator about getting a feed. Since many people
cannot get a feed for the brasil.* or br.* hierarchy, cross-postings to s.c.b.
and brasil.* are welcome.

5.1 What are the addresses of www sites Brazil or having to do with Brazil?

The root www server in Brazil is www.rnp.br; accordingly, thge FAQ
should have a pointer to http://www.rnp.br/ .
Many sites are in the process of installing http servers. The site
rnp.br takes upon itself to be current in its list of Brazilian servers.

http://www.inf.ufsc.br/
http://www.rnp.br/

For a more complete list, please see the file:

whois/servicos.br, accessible via anonymous ftp at ftp.if.usp.br, or
point your gopher server to uspif.if.usp.br and select "SERVICOS-BR -
Available Services in the Brazilian Network (Port.)"

There is an image of Manaus in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's home page,
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov.

5.2 What are the addresses of ftp and telnet sites in brasil?

To find ftp sites in Brasil just "gopher uspif.if.usp.br" and select
"List of Brazilian Nodes (Lista dos nodes brasileiros) (English)."

/f...@math.berkeley.edu:/pub/Preprints/P_N_de_Souza/Images/Brazil
Has pictures of people/places in Brazil.

To get cia fact file on Brazil:
gopher://info.umd.edu:901/11/info/Government/Factbook92/Countries/brazil
or /f...@info.umd.edu:/info/Government/Factbook92/Countries/brazil

Here are some well known sites:

di.ufpe.br
ftp.cr-df.rnp.br
bdt.ftpt.br
ftp.rnp.br
ftp.unicamp.br
ftp.if.usp.br

telnet sites:
secom.ufpa.br

5.3 Are there other newsgroups that have discussions about Brazil?

This is a list of newsgroups that may have Brazilian items on them:
br.pc-l br.listas.ct-radiobras
br.ysn br.pg-net
br.comp-net br.oracle
br.colmeia br.masoch
br.rnptec-l br.letras-l
br.on-this-day br.ipct-l
br.sbm-l br.cnpq-l
br.big-lan br.civil-l
br.fisica-l br.astro
br.listas.enecomp-l br.piadas
br.newsletters br.opera
br.optica br.listas.sbis-l
br.redes br.bras-net
br.sbnc-l

brasil.anuncios brasil.esportes.voleibol
brasil.ciencia.computacao brasil.esportes.futebol
brasil.ecologia brasil.esportes.formula1
brasil.geral brasil.ciencia.matematica
brasil.unix brasil.ciencia.fisica
brasil.noticias brasil.ciencia.cnpq
brasil.teste brasil.ciencia.capes
brasil.politica

soc.culture.brazil

5.4 How do I get info about "Bras-net"?
For Bras-net info just "gopher uspif.if.usp.br" and select
"Bras-net", here is some basic info:

Solicitacoes ---> bras-net...@fpsp.fapesp.ansp.br

Endereco Mensagens para

bras-eu...@cs.ucla.edu Bras-eua-oeste
bras-eu...@cs.columbia.edu Bras-eua-leste
bras...@doc.ic.ac.uk Bras-euro
bras-ne...@fpsp.fapesp.ansp.br Bras-net-brasil
bras...@frors12.bitnet Bras-con
bruk...@doc.ic.ac.uk Bruk-net (bras-uk)
bras-p...@itakura.nuee.nagoya-u.ac.jp Bras-pacific

***************************** 5.0 Contributors ******************************

The following people (listed in no particular order) have made
substantial contributions to this FAQ. If you have any
corrections, suggestions, additions, subtractions, etc., please
mail them to ri...@mei.com

Acknowledgments:

iz...@cs.huji.ac.il
i.sa...@ic.ac.uk
an...@lri.jur.uva.nl (Andre Valente)
Ciro Ribeiro CI...@Jetson.UH.EDU
Rick Bronson ri...@mei.com
Christia...@ARBI.INFORMATIK.UNI-OLDENBURG.DE
ric...@isr.uni-stuttgart.de
lr...@psuvm.psu.edu
Evandro...@DB1.SPEECH.CS.CMU.EDU

From: wk...@superior.carleton.ca (warren kidd)
Subject: Re: BRAZIL - RIO - What's th
Organization: Carleton University
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 1994 01:41:07 GMT

Icono Clast (Icono...@f219.n914.z8.rbbs-net.ORG) wrote:

: -U I have the opportunity to go to Rio - what's the low-down on Rio?
: Should I go?

: Of course! But I'd answer the same 'bout 'most anywhere.
: Rio is fabulous! A great city with wonderful people. BUT it
: also has a great deal of crime, the kind of crime that most of us
: fear.

: -U Does anyone have any experiences good or bad, or know of any nearby places
: I should check out?

I spent a week in Rio just after Carnival 2 a year and a half ago, and had
a great time. NO problems. Was in Sao Paulo for a week too, and a great
village on the coast called Paraty (halfway between Rio and Sao Paulo) for
Carnival (one of the best
experiences of my life...I recommend going to Carnival somewhere other
than Rio). My guess is that most of the crime tourists face in Rio results
from walking around areas wearing cameras that are worth more than many
families see in half a year. Like any big city, don't tempt crime, and you
will usually be fine. In Rio, you just have to lower your standards a bit.

--
Warren Kidd

From: Schume...@msm.cdx.mot.com
Subject: Re: HELP:Brazil
Organization: Motorola_Codex
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 1994 14:54:15 GMT

Icono...@f219.n914.z8.rbbs-net.ORG (Icono Clast) writes:
>Organization: Lewis and Clark College, Portland OR
>
>DB Rio November 17 . . . 3 days
>
>About 140km North of Rio is Cabo Frio, the loveliest beach I've ever
>seen. Clean, warm, with very light colored, powdery sand and cute
>little waves of perfect form.
>
>Of course you'll visit Pao de Azucar and Corcovado but also go to
>Barra da Tijuca where there's a nice park and waterfall with jungle. I
>stayed in an apartment, the jungle out the back window, just below the
>falls. A pipe stuck in the stream was our source of water.
>
>The weather's likely to be hot, humid, and smoggy.
>
> * Origin: The Airtight Garage, San Francisco, Cal. 415-641-0348 (8:914/219)
>
Also,....

Make sure to check BUZIOS out,.. it's a great beach place about one or two
hours from Rio,... or if you prefer the mountains, go to Petropolis, or
Teresopolis.

Robin

Date: 24 Sep 1994 19:51:35 GMT
From: Paige...@wwire.net (Paige Manzo)
Organization: Women's Wire
Subject: Re: HELP:Brazil

I am a travel writer for Brasil, and can recommend the following for your
trip to RIo:
Renting a car is very expensive and the roads south to Parati are pretty bad
- not awful, just not great. I would recommend you get in touch with either
Aquamaster, Captain's Yacht Charters or Expiditours in Rio, who will arrange
good tour packages, including schooner trips to various destinations around
the Rio area. These tours range from scuba diving excursions to simple
sightseeing, and can include transport to and from Paraty, Angra dos Reis,
Itacuruca and a variety of other places to numerous to mention. They also
have arrangements with Pousadas, which are small hotels, where you can spend
the night (s).

Addresses: Aquamaster - Marina da Gloria #7 - Rio - 205-7070 or 287-8015
Captains Yacht Charters - Rua Conde dos Lages, conj, 603 -
Marina da Gloria - Rio - 252-1155 or fax at 252-1155

Expiditours - Rua Viscond de Piraja , 433 - Ipanema -
287-9697 or fax at 521-4388

Enjoy your trip! Joe MacFarland (I am using a friends e-mail address,
just surfing through...)

From: mr...@cix.compulink.co.uk ("Martin Rees")
Subject: Re: Travel to Brazil
Organization: Compulink Information eXchange
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 18:46:21 GMT

The Pantanal is great. Lots of wild life, take binoculars if possible.
We travelled from Campo Grande to Corumba by train, it takes 12 hours,
there is 1 train a week (or there was 2 years ago, they were talking
about closing the line). It was only 2 hours late! We traveled first
class and some of the windows weren't broken. Seriously the views were
great (so broken windows didn't matter), the train had seen better days,
but was still quite comfortable. You will be in the middle of the rainy
season (October to March) so travel in the Pantanal is going to be tough,
roads very muddy, and large areas under water.

We stayed at the Fazenda Santa Clara. Went for some walks on our own,
but be careful, nobody will find you if you get lost. Food was superb,
the best we had in Brazil! Pirranha make a tasty treat. Lots of tame
parrots and monkeys around the ranch, as well as masses of parakeets
nesting in the trees, and some wild macaws came visiting. Price seemed
quite reasonable and included transport from Corumba. We spent 6 weeks
in Brazil and consider our visit to the Pantanal to be one of its best
highlights.

One warning: the cows can be dangerous. Never run away, face them and
walk backwards slowly. This got us out of trouble twice. Don't do what
one guide did - throw a machete then his hat at the cow to calm her!

Martin & Ruth from Wales.

From: gle...@metronet.com (Glenn Wilmoth)
Subject: Re: Travel to Brazil
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 02:59:58 GMT
Organization: Texas Metronet, Internet for the Individual 214-705-2901 (info)

Lorraine Blasik (lb...@andrew.cmu.edu) wrote:
: Last year around they same time I was looking into vacationing to Brazil
: and plans fell thru. This I going to do it for sure (maybe) . My
: question is this; I found an airlines with incredible rates. I think I
: had to call the Brazilian consulate or something (located in NY). Anyway
: I wanted to know if anyone out there might have this number or others
: ailine info. Is Varig the only airlines? Or are there others. I'm in
: Pittsburgh, PA USA but most likely would have to fly to New York and go
: from there.

: Also does anyone have the actual dates of carnival? I know airfares
: change drastically during this time.

: All reply welcome, and if you don't mind please e-mail directly as I
: don't get to many chances to follow these groups.

: Thanks in advance,

: -Lori
There are two other Brazilian airlines that fly to the US. They are
Transbrazil and VASP. They all have good service. VASP has the least
international expierence. My personal preferences are VARIG, TRANSBRAZIL
and VASP in that order.
Glenn

From: Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca (Armindo Furlin)
Subject: Re: Brazil - Carnival
Date: Tue, 01 Nov 94 22:14:40 -0800
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada

Try the Lonely Planet's "Travel Survival Kit - Brazil". Lots of useful
information for the budget traveller. Try also the "South America Handbook"
(don't remember the publisher), which gives detailed info in
off-the-beaten-track places.
After Rio, go to Buzios and Angra dos Reis, both in the state of Rio de
Janeiro. Don't miss Porto Seguro, Arraial d'Ajuda and Salvador, in Bahia
state.
Take care and have lots of fun !!
Boa sorte !

Comments: Gated by NET...@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
From: Mauricio Alvarenga <MA...@BRCPRM.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Brazil

On Wed, 2 Nov 1994 09:20:50 -0400 Reference Librarian said:
>I am also interested in any information about Brazil and Rio in particular
>as I am leaving on Friday for a nine day trip. I have read about the crime
>situation in guidebooks and plan to be prapared for anything that may
>happen but you never know what the real situation is until you get there.
>Before out trip to Italy we read about the Gypsies and pickpockets and
>never saw either! One aspect of travel to Brazil that is confusing to us
>is the various exchange rates. If anyone could tell us where the best safe
>place there is to change money, in our case mostly travellers checks, I
>would really appreciate it.
>
>Mary
Hi Mary, I had already replied privately to HARBOUR1.NETCOM.COM, so
as there may be more peolple interested, I decided to reply to the list.

We are having problems with drug dealers here in Rio, there is a plan
that the army, federal police and state police together will
arrest the major drug dealers. This afects some suburbs
and most 'favelas' (poor people that live on the hills(?) where the dealers
are hidden).
These places are not for tourism, and really should be avoided.
We didn't have any problem, at least that I know, with tourists.
In no way 'americans are targets' as HARBOUR1 asked in his mail.
In other places in Rio you have the problems that you would have in
any other big city in the world.
About exchange: You have a lot of exchange houses, buy/sell to them.
You have basically 2 rates: comercial (for import/export) and tourism.
Todays rate: they buy they sell
money R$0.83 R$0.85
travellers check R$0.82 R$0.84

Since last june, these prices didn't change very much.
| Mauricio Alvarenga | Mineral Research Company - CPRM |
| VM Consultant | Rio de Janeiro - Brasil |

Date: Tue, 15 Nov 1994 11:51:13 -0400
From: Reference Librarian <MF...@BROOK.EDU>
Subject: Trip to Rio
Comments: To: trav...@vm3090.ege.edu.tr

I just got back from a trip to Rio and Buzios Brazil. We walked around the
streets and even rode the public busses a few times and had no problem with
crime. If anyone needs any tips I'll be happy to help.

Mary Fry
MF...@BROOK.EDU

From: man...@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu (arthur mandel)
Subject: Re: Brazil advice needed
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 1994 10:43:31 -0500
Organization: columbia

da...@media.mit.edu (Dana Friis-Hansen) wrote:

> I'm planning a short business trip to Brazil--first to Sao
> Paulo, and if there is time a round-trip to Rio.
> Any suggestions for what to see and do in these cities if I have
> time off?
> How far is the airport from the city in each place?
> Where should I change money--NYC or at the airport or a
> bank?
> All tips appreciated.... TIA

My experience has been that changing money in New York is far worse than
changing in the country of destination -- places like Thomas Cook have a
terrible rate of exchange. Unless you are arriving in a very quiet place
(not true for Rio or Sao Paulo) at a very odd hour, your best bet is to
change at the airport.

My advice -- try to go to Rio if you can. The city is tremendously
beautiful -- the views from the Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf) and the
Corcovado (especially around dusk) are stunning, and the Copacabana and
Ipanema beaches, although not the prettiest in the world, are
fun urban beaches, with all kinds of salespeople throughout the day, and
barefoot soccer games in the evening. Also quite enjoyable was the
Santa Theresa trolley line, which goes up into the hills, also providing
nice views. And the Tijuca National Park, also close to Rio, is worth
seeing.
I suppose the only problem with Rio is crime, although the army has
moved in recently -- I am not sure how much of an improvement this has
made. Just be sure that you go to places like the beach without a
wallet, watch, passport, or anything of value -- my wife and I just brought
a towel, thongs, and pocket change. I suppose that the warning on crime
is true for Sao Paulo as well.

Sincerely,

Arthur Mandel
man...@cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu

From: wk...@superior.carleton.ca (warren kidd)
Subject: Re: Brazil advice needed
Organization: Carleton University
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 09:30:02 GMT

Dana Friis-Hansen (da...@media.mit.edu) wrote:
: I'm planning a short business trip to Brazil--first to Sao
: Paulo, and if there is time a round-trip to Rio.
: Any suggestions for what to see and do in these cities if I have
: time off?

For Rio, see comments to similar post. Sao Paulo...I don't know much, but
the Butantan Institute at the University of Sao Paulo holds the largest
collection of venemous snakes and...spiders? in Latin America...fun stuff!
Also in Sao Paulo: MASP (Museum of Sao Paulo), the Latin
American...monument? Museum? It's kind of both...look into it at a tourist
info place to get a feel for it. I also enjoyed the Japanese district.

: How far is the airport from the city in each place?
-sorry, don't remember...

: Where should I change money--NYC or at the airport or a
: bank?

In Brazil. When I was there, they had 3 exchange rates. I changed money at
the semi-offical black market rate at hotels or travel agencies - better
rate than banks or the airport. With the new currency system, it probably
doesn't make a difference...I don't know.

: All tips appreciated.... TIA

--
Warren Kidd
School of International Affairs
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

From Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca Tue Jan 24 09:01:36 CST 1995
From: Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca (Armindo Furlin)
Subject: Re: Info on Brazil
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 1995 04:15:34 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! Communications Corp.

kil...@sybase.com (Greg Kilzer) writes:
>From: kil...@sybase.com (Greg Kilzer)
>Subject: Info on Brazil
>Date: Fri, 20 Jan 1995 17:47:46 GMT

>Anybody know the dates for the Carnival celebration in Rio
>this year? Any suggestions on palces to go/stay in and around
>Rio?

Carnival this year will be celebrated Feb 25-28 in Rio. If you're really
interested in flying to Rio, better hurry to a travel agency ! I've heard the
best hotels are almost fully booked this year.
Try one of the oceanfront hotels at Ipanema/Leblon beach, there is a large
number of them ! Despite all the problems related to urban violence, Rio is
still a wonderful city ! Once there, take care with your personal belongings,
don't keep showing your camera/videocamera all around and go to the beach with
as little money as possible. Follow this and you probably won't have problems.

Good luck !!

>Thanks - Greg

From Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca Wed Jan 25 09:27:38 CST 1995
From: Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca (Armindo Furlin)
Subject: Re: Brazil BUS or CAR
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 1995 02:29:19 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! Communications Corp.

vand...@is2.nyu.edu (vandrklw) writes:
>From: vand...@is2.nyu.edu (vandrklw)
>Subject: Brazil BUS or CAR
>Date: 20 Jan 1995 18:54:28 GMT

>It is said that driving in Brazil is a dangerous pastime for Americans.
>Is this true? Any recommendations on alternate forms of transport?
>Is it possible to get Bus schedules in advance for Brazil?
>We are mainly interested in buses to small towns (from, but not between
>S.P and Rio).

Yes, driving in Brazil may be a terrible experience for an American driver,
but as long as you stay away from big cities, it's no big deal. The main
problems of driving in Brazil are the road conditions, which are
reasonably good only in the southernmost states. Also be aware that the
traffic laws in Brazil aren't strictly enforced, exception made of Sao Paulo
state highways. Don't ever think to drive in Rio or Sao Paulo !! Traffic there
is really chaotic, and one can get lost very easily. Speeding and red light
crossing is common, as well as constant lane changing in larger avenues.
Honking also seems to be a nationwide pastime. Brazilian drivers will
promptly protest with the horn against anything that slows them down !
But if you plan to drive through the highways or smaller cities, it's not
worse than Italy or Portugal or Greece.
Also keep in mind that the prices of car rental in Brazil are very expensive,
if compared with US or even Europe prices.
Bus is the main transport used in Brazil, and from big cities like Rio and Sao
Paulo you will be able to find buses to almost any place you want (exception
made, of course, to the Amazon basin). It's a cheaper way to travel,
and believe me, depending on the places, buses may even be comfortable !
Unfortunately I don't know how you can get bus schedules in the US, but
once in Brazil you won't have problems in getting further information.
As far as I can recall, the "South America Handbook" is a good source of
information, and may be helpful for you.

If you need further information, feel free to e-mail me.

Armindo...@mindlink.bc.ca

Good luck !!

From nor...@ssht02.hou130.chevron.com Mon Jan 30 12:16:55 CST 1995
From: nor...@ssht02.hou130.chevron.com (Ruth Cross)
Subject: Re: Brazil BUS or CAR
Date: 23 Jan 95 16:19:17 GMT
Organization: Chevron

vand...@is2.nyu.edu (vandrklw) writes:
|> It is said that driving in Brazil is a dangerous pastime for Americans.
|> Is this true? Any recommendations on alternate forms of transport?
|> Is it possible to get Bus schedules in advance for Brazil?
|> We are mainly interested in buses to small towns (from, but not between
|> S.P and Rio).
|>
|> Van

I tried E-mailing you and it bounced, so I'll post --

I've made 3 trips to visit relatives in Brasil. One of my cousins usually
drives us places, because they don't trust us to drive.

In the big cities, esp. Rio and Sao Paulo, the driving is really awful,
and they have their own style of driving that takes some getting used to.
Very heavy traffic, and navigating is difficult. It's like Back Bay in
Boston. Lots of hills, streets that wind and intersect at weird angles,
long street names that change names with no warning. Parking is a real
problem. In Rio they park on the sidewalks. And car theft is rampant;
my cousins have two separate alarms and a club on their cars. Mobs of
kids show up when you park and extract a fee for "watching" your car;
protection money.

I've seen the traffic in New York, Boston, Paris, Rome, etc., and
I think Rio and Sao Paulo are worse.

Outside of the big cities, though. it's fine. The worst problem is
there are no interstates. Around the big cities there are throughways,
but elsewhere all the traffic runs on these 2-lane blacktop roads.
There are a lot of slow-moving trucks so you spend most of your time
sitting behind a truck waiting for a chance to pass. Aside from that,
once you get out in the country driving is nice. The major roads have
nice truck stops, with good restrooms, restaurants, etc. Gasoline is
expensive, and a lot of the cars run on gasohol, which is subsidised
by the government but still expensive.

As for alternatives, the bus system is very good, though I've never
tried it. It's how most of the people get around; most people can't
afford to own a car. In the cities there are good bus, subway and
trolly systems, service between the big cities is good, fast and
frequent. and you can get to any small town by bus.

When you are planning your trip, make sure you take the huge
distances into account. I'm used to long distances, having spent
most of my time in the western US, but Brasil's huge.

I don't know if bus schedules are available in the US. You could
try asking in soc.culture.brasil. They don't mind people asking tourist
questions, or posting in English, though you may not get much response.

If you want any info about any other aspects of travelling in Brasil
(money, shopping, food, health, etc.) let me know. I've been to most of
central Brasil.

--
Ruth Cross > Em rio que tem piranhas,
nor...@chevron.com > jacare nada de costas.
Houston, Texas, USA >

From MA...@BRCPRM.BITNET Tue May 23 12:53:28 CDT 1995
Comments: Gated by NET...@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
From: Mauricio Alvarenga <MA...@BRCPRM.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Brazil airpass

On Mon, 22 May 1995 07:14:48 GMT Philip Dumortier said:
>I am aware of the existence of a 3 week airpass for $440, with which one can
>make 5 domestic flights, but I still have some questions:

$100 for each aditional stop, payed in advance (before you get here)

>1. do reservations have to be made beforehand, or can flights be booked while
>in Brazil ?

Flights can be booked while in Brasil

>2. does a similar airpass exist on a longer basis (I am going to Brazil for 1
>month in August/September)

Nope...

>3. does anyone has experience with Brazilian domestic flights, or the use of
>an airpass ?

My travel agent says that there is no problem with the airpass.
About domestic flights, no problems, i travel a lot and most
flights are on schedule.

>Thanks for any comments,
>Philip

| Mauricio Alvarenga | Mineral Research Company - CPRM |
| VM Consultant | Rio de Janeiro - Brasil |

From kro...@cris.com Tue Oct 10 10:36:49 CDT 1995
From: kro...@cris.com (Steve Kropla)
Subject: Re: Traveling in Greece & Rio
Date: 9 Oct 1995 19:15:52 GMT
Organization: Concentric Internet Services

> cha...@image.kodak.com (Joseph J. Charles) writes:
> My girlfriend and I are thinking about taking a trip to Greece.
> Neither of us has ever been to that area of the world, so we really
> don't know what to expect, what to look out for, where are the cool
> places, what are the prices like, when is the best time of the year to
> go, etc. Specifically, she would like to see the island of Santorini.
> Can anyone help us out with information? Thanks!
>
> We're also thinking about Rio de Janiero. Same questions apply, but
> also, if you had the choice between Greece or Rio, which would you pick,
> and for what reasons? Again, thanks!
> =============================================================================
> Joe Charles (cha...@image.kodak.com), Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, New York
> =============================================================================
>
>>>>
I haven't been to Santorini, but I have been to the island of Mikonos. It's one of my favorite places! Supposedly, it's one of the
most expensive islands, but we found it to be incredibly reasonable (especially after spending a week in Italy. Phew!) If you do
go to Mikonos, I would recommend the Hotel Mikonos/Adonis. There, we got a very roomy suite with a view of the sea for
about $130/night. Old Mikonos is a quaint and nearly immaculate village with white stucco buildings, stone streets and lots of
neat shops and restaurants. As is probably the case on most of the islands, you can rent a motorbike to go to one of the more
private beaches. If you don't mind staying in the mainstream, you can take a bus to the main beach (the name escapes me at
the moment) and then catch a boat to one of the other beaches. The sand tends to be rather coarse, and the amount of
clothing worn when sunbathing seems to be entirely a matter of personal preference. We were there in June and the weather
was ideal but the beaches not as crowded as they get in July and August. You can get there from Athens in a 20 minute flight.
Or you can go to/from Athens via Raffina on a four-hour ferry or two-hour hydrofoil. We opted for the hydrofoil, but it can be a
bit warm in the summer since the windows don't open. I would imagine that most of what holds true for Mikonos will likely be
the same for Santorini or the other islands. They're great!

On the other hand, I just got back from Rio. It's got beaches, it's got mountains. But it's also a big city with lots of nightlife.
Right now it's springtime down there, with summer approaching. Last week it was about 81F during the day and 60F at night.
Quite pleasant although sometimes cloudy and breezy, one brief rain shower. I understand it's quite a bit warmer in the summer
(the winter months for us North Hemisphereans) and the beaches are more crowded and of course the place is a zoo during
carnival (mid-Feb to early March next year). I stayed at the Meridien Hotel on Copacabana beach. There weren't many people
on the beach most times except for the evening when there were numerous volleyball games along the lighted sections on
Avenida Atlantica. When I did walk down Copacabana, there seemed to be a lot of trash washed up on the beach. In the
past, Rio has received a bad reputation for crime, which has hurt the tourist business. Supposedly, things have improved in the
past year. I walked alone at all times of the day and night and had no problems and never felt threatened. The Brazilians are
basically nice people, and everybody was pretty friendly. Nevertheless, as advised by the locals, I carried only a copy of my
passport and a minimum of money. I left all original documents in the hotel safe and the key at the front desk.

If you plan to go to Rio, you've got a lot of options on where to stay. Copacabana is more touristy, with lots of gem shops and
nightclubs. Ipanema Beach and Leblon are are where the higher-class locals live and congregate -- and are extremely nice
areas. Further out from Ipanema/Leblon you can find the Sheraton on Avenida Niemeyer, and even further out, the
Intercontinental. The Sheraton is probably the most luxurious hotel in Rio -- the view of Ipanema and Rio from the pool terrace
(on the side of a cliff) is one of the most breathtaking sights I've ever seen. The Intercontinental is not quite as sheltered as the
Sheraton, but still very impressive. Both are more private than the main beach areas, but have a full range of amenities as well
as shuttle buses to the city. These aren't cheap, though -- a standard room will be $160/night or more.

Right now the Brazilian Real is worth a little more than a dollar. I wouldn't exactly call Rio a bargain -- some of the restaurants
and bars on the beach seemed pricey -- but it's not horrendous either. I would recommend you change money (especially
traveler's checks) at the airport when you arrive. The exchange rate at my hotel was quite a bit less, with an additional hit for
TCs).

I hope this helps. The choice between the Greek Islands and Rio is pretty much a win/win deal, IMO. Go to Rio this winter and
Greece next summer, and you'd have done it all!

Good luck and happy travels,
Steve K.
_________________________________________________
Steve Kropla
Kingwood, Texas (aka far North Houston)
kro...@cris.com
Home Page http://www.cris.com/~kropla/

From da...@iadfw.net Fri Nov 3 13:38:22 CST 1995
From: da...@iadfw.net (Dave Jackson)
Subject: Re: Rio de Janeiro- hotel accommodations
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 20:25:06 GMT
Organization: Internet America

ku...@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Wojtek Kursa) wrote:

>I am looking for inexpensive hotel in Rio de Janeiro,
>Nov 20 thru Nov 28, in Catete, Flamengo, or Botafogo area,
>and help in making reservations.
>Wojtek

Wojtek:

Best stay, right on the Ocean near Botafogo (actually Guanabara Bay)
is the Gloria Hotel. Call a travel agent to reserve it. Ask for the
very best rate!

Good luck!

Kind regards,
Dave Jackson
http://www.worldwidemart.com/psnl/dave/

From reb...@leeds8.demon.co.uk Wed Nov 8 17:27:20 CST 1995
From: Rebecca Reid <Reb...@leeds8.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Rio de Janeiro- hotel accommodations
Date: Wed, 08 Nov 95 08:07:02 GMT

ku...@oasys.dt.navy.mil "Wojtek Kursa" writes:

> I am looking for inexpensive hotel in Rio de Janeiro..

Here are a couple of good ones I stayed in last year - both near Catete Metro
station:

Rio Lisboa: R Artur Bernardes 29 - about 15 a night, a basic, friendly family
hotel.

Florida: Ferreira Viana 71/81 (T: 2458160) - about 60 a night but includes
great breakfast, safe in room, cable tv and use of rooftop swimming pool.

There are several other hotels in each of these streets, which run off R do
Catete (where the metro is). It's a great area and you can walk (or take the
metro) into town or get a bus at the other end of F. Viana to Copacabana etc.

Hope this is useful.
--
Rebecca

--
Mark Nowak Chicago, Illinois
Motorola no...@comm.mot.com
http://www.ece.iit.edu/~mnowak/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1092/