Brazil

1. Brazil Renata Cruz

2. History • Brazil is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people. Portuguese it is the official language,and it’s the only country in south America,that speaks portuguese. • Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Alvares Cabral in 1500 until 1815, when it was elevated to the rank of kingdom and the United Kingdom of Brazil and the algarveswas formed. The colonial bond was in fact broken in 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese colonial empire was transferred from lisbon to Rio de janeiro, after Napoleon invaded Portugal.Independence was achieved in 1822 with the formation of the Empire of Brazil, a Unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. The country became a presidential repuclic in 1889, when a military proclaimed the Republic , although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to the ratification of the first constitution in 1824. Its current constitution formulated in 1988, defines Brazil as a Federal republic] The Federation is formed by the union of the federal district, the 26 States, and the 5,564 municipalities. • Brazil is the largest national economy in Latin America, the world's sixth largest economy at market exchange rates, Brazil has a mixed economy with abundant natural resources. The Brazilian economy has been predicted to become one of the five largest in the world in the decades to come, the GDP per capita following and growing.Its current GDP (PPP) per capita is $10,200, putting Brazil in the 64th position according to World Bank data. It has large and developed agricultural, mining,manufacturing,and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool.

3. Climate • Brazil hosts five major climatic subtypes: equatorial, tropical, semiarid, highland tropical, temperate, and subtropical. The different climatic conditions produce environments ranging from equatorial rainforests in the north and semiarid deserts in the northeast, to temperate coniferous forests in the south and tropical savannas in central Brazil.Many regions have starkly different microclimates. But most of the country is tropical. .

4. Brazillian Cuisine • Brazilian cuisine varies greatly by region, reflecting the country's mix of native and immigrant populations. This has created a national cuisine marked by the preservation of regional differences,examplesare Feijoada, considered the country's national dish. • Brazil has a variety of candies such as brigadeiros (chocolate fudge balls), beijinhos (coconut truffles and clove) and romeu e julieta (cheese with a guava jam known as goiabada). Local common fruits like açaí, mango, papaya, orange, passionfruit, pineapple, and hog plum are turned in juices and used to make chocolates, popsicles and ice cream. • But the everyday meal consist mosty of rice and beans with beef and salad. Fried potatoes, fried cassava, fried banana, fried meat and fried cheese are very often eaten in lunch and served in most typical restaurants.

5. Sports • Soccer is the most popular sport in Brazil. The Brazilian national soccer team has won the FIFA World Cup tournament a record 5 times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002,[1] and is the only team to succeed in qualifying for every World Cup competition ever held. It is among the favorites to win the trophy every time the competition is scheduled. After Brazil won its 3rd World Cup in 1970, they were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. • Pelé, one of the most recognized soccer player in history, led Brazil to 3 of those championships and is the top scorer of all time in the sport. All of the leading players in the national teams are prominent in the football world, including Garrincha, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká in the men's game, and Marta in the women's game. Some of these players can be considered super-stars, achieving celebrity status internationally and signing sports contracts, as well as advertisement and endorsement contracts, in the value of millions of euros. • Soccer is taken very seriously in Brazil.During the World Cup workers pause from their duties to watch their team in action;even banks shut down 3 hours before matches to allow their workers time to prepare for the game. • The governing body of soccer in Brazil is the Brazilian soccer Confederation. Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

6. Famous Places Ipanema Guaruja • Rio de Janeiro Fernando de Noronha Sao Paulo Foz do Iguacu

7. Carnival The Brazilian Carnaval is an annual festival held forty-six days before Easter. Carnaval is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. The country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities. Rhythm, participation, and costumes vary from one region of Brazil to another. Rio de janeiro and Sao paulo,are the most famous places in Brazil.

8. Religion • Brazil has the largest number of Catholics in the world.Roman Catholicism has been Brazil's main religion since the beginning of the 16th century. It was introduced among the Nativ Brazilians by Jesuits missionaries and also observed by all the Portuguese first settlers. The Catholicism practiced in Brazil is full of popular festivities rooted in centuries-old Portuguese traditions, but also heavily influenced by African and Native Brazilian usage. • Roman Catholicism: 123.000.000 - 64.6% • Protestantism: 42.300.000 - 22.2% • No religion: 15.000.000 - 8% • Other religions: 9.300.000 - 5.2%