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Full country name: Federative Republic of Brazil
Area: 8,547,403 sq km (3,300,155 sq mi)
Population: 172 million
Capital city: Brasilia
People: 55% European descent, 38% mulatto, 6% African descent (according to the 1980 census). In reality, these figures are skewed by whiteness being equated with social stature in Brazil.
Language: Portuguese
Religion: 70% Roman Catholic
Government: Federal republic
President: Fernando Henrique Cardoso

GDP: US$1.0352 trillion
GDP per head: US$6100
Inflation: 8% (1999)
Major industries:Textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, soya beans, orange juice, beef, coffee, sugar
Major trading partners: EU, Central and South America, Asia, USA

Events

Visas: Passport required, must be valid for at least 90-days from date of entry. Visa required for a touristic stay of max. 90 days, one extension possible.
Health risks: Chagas' disease, dengue fever, malaria, meningitis, rabies, yellow fever
Time: GMT/UTC minus 3 hours in the east, northeast, south and southeast; GMT/UTC minus 4 hours in the west; and GMT/UTC minus 5 hours in the far west
Electricity: Unstandardized; 110 or 120V, 60 Hz in Rio and São Paulo
Weights & measures: Metric

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: Passport required, must be valid for at least 90-days from date of entry. Visa required for a touristic stay of max. 90 days, one extension possible.
Health risks: Chagas' disease, dengue fever, malaria, meningitis, rabies, yellow fever
Time: GMT/UTC minus 3 hours in the east, northeast, south and southeast; GMT/UTC minus 4 hours in the west; and GMT/UTC minus 5 hours in the far west
Electricity: Unstandardized; 110 or 120V, 60 Hz in Rio and São Paulo
Weights & measures: Metric

Ideal time to visit

Most of Brazil can be visited comfortably throughout the year - it's only the south, which can be unbearably sticky in summer and non-stop rainy in winter, that has extreme seasonal changes. With many Brazilians on summer vacation from December to February, travel can be difficult and expensive, while from Rio to the south the humidity can be oppressive.

Summer is also the most festive time of year, as Brazilians escape their apartments and take to the beaches and streets. School holidays begin in mid-December and go through to Carnaval, usually in late February.