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Since most people are only slightly familiar with
Brasil, and often have misconceptions about it (for example, Portuguese
is the national language, not Spanish), we have added this page of
miscellaneous facts about Brasil.
• The language of Brasil is Portuguese.
• Brazil is the world's 8th largest economy.
• Brasil is a democracy, and has been since 1988.
• Voting is required for all citizens between the ages
of 18-64.
 •
The Brasilian flag contains the words "order and progress." The national
colors are green and yellow.
• Brasil has a population of 183 million, compared to
303 million in the US. Brasil covers 3.2 million square miles, compared
to 3.8 square miles for the US, so the two countries are similar in
size. Brasil has 26 states.
• Brasil borders every country in South America except
Ecuador and Chile.
• Brasilian currency is the REAL (pronounced hey-al).
One real is worth about 60 cents in American currency, so it's almost a
2 to 1 exchange rate.
• Seasons in Brasil are reversed from the US. Their
winter is our summer and vice-versa.
• Right now Rio de Janeiro is an hour ahead of the
Eastern time zone. During Daylight Savings Time, (when we fall backward
and they spring forward) Rio is 3 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
• Though many things are less expensive in Brasil,
such as clothes and food, some items are more expensive in Brasil than
they are in the US. Specifically, electronic items such as computers and
digital cameras cost 50 to 100% more in Brasil.
• A worker in Brasil who makes minimum wage earns the
equivalent of $150 per month. Many people don't make minimum wage.
• The capital of Brasil is Brasilia. The city of Sao
Paulo, with a population of 22,000,000 is the second largest city in the
world. Rio de Janeiro, where Project Brasil is located, is a city of
6,000,000 -- with a "metro area" population of 12,000,000.
• The Brasil National Football (i.e. soccer) team has
won the World Cup tournament five times -- more than any other country
-- which explains why Brasilians are crazy about football.
• Children typically attend school half a day, either
in the morning from 8:00-12:00, or in the afternoon from 1:00 - 5:00.
• The typical Brasilian meal includes black beans, rice,
and chicken. Most Brasilians eat their biggest meal at noon.
• Though American music is popular in Brasil, the most
popular style of music is Música Popular Brasileira, called MPB. This
includes Bossa Nova and Samba music.
• Rio's most popular tourist attraction is the "Christ
the Redeemer" statue, located on Corcovado mountain. It is one of the New
Seven Wonders of the World.
(Pictured at right.)
• Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in Brasil. Though
there are some stores here named Wal-Mart, as well as Sam's Club, most
of the stores they own in Brasil operate under a different name.
Therefore, even though the Wal-Mart Corporation is the largest retailer,
most Brasilians aren't familiar with the name.
• Brasil has the largest Japanese population outside of
Japan.
• Brasil has the largest Roman Catholic population in
the world. 74% of the nation (about 140 million people) are Roman
Catholic. This number is decreasing as more Catholics convert to
evangelicalism.
• The evangelical church comprises about 15% of the
population. The evangelical church is experiencing rapid growth.
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