Language
Portuguese is the official language. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America.

Population
Brazil currently has a population of approximately 170 million, making it the world's fifth most populous nation. There are 11 cities in Brazil with a population of over one million, of which São Paulo is the largest with 10.4 million residents and Rio de Janeiro second with 5.8 million.

Weather
Most of Brazil from Rio de Janeiro to the north is blessed with a tropical climate where it is difficult to tell when spring becomes summer and summer, autumn. The seasons in Brazil are the reverse of those in Europe and the United States:
Spring -22nd September - 21st December
Summer- 22nd December - 21st March
Autumn - 22nd March - 21st June
Winter - 22nd June - 21st September

Money and Exchange Rates
Brazilian money is called the Real.
In some instances it is actually very difficult to obtain the relevant currencies in advance, and dollars are often regarded as an unofficial second national currency. In the main cities there is little problem in changing other foreign currencies and there is an extensive network of ATMs. Most major credit cards are accepted in Brazil. As when visiting any country, it is worth getting hold of some low denomination notes and coins on arrival.


Tipping
Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or more to the total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so. Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers, although they may round the total up.

Clothing
Brazilians, even in the major cities, dress casually outside the office. None of the country's top restaurants insist on collar and tie although the occasional club do. Collar and tie still predominate in formal office and business surroundings in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and most workingwomen wear dresses or skirts. When packing, keep in mind that cities like Rio and São Paulo are big, fashionable, cosmopolitan cities and not a small tourist resorts. If you forget to bring some item of clothing with you, you will certainly be able to find what you forgot in any of the big shopping centers.

Airlines Information
Depending on the city, flight time from Europe to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro is just over 12 hours and a little over nine hours to Natal, Recife or Salvador. From the United States the trip will take from 8 to 9 hours. Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Continental, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Swissair, Tam, Tap, United, and Varig all offer scheduled services to Brazil. This means that traveler's have a daily choice of airlines linking continents. Given the size of the country, the fastest and most effective way of getting around Brazil is by air. Please check out the information on AIR PASS.

Distances
Distances in Brazil are given in kilometers. One mile is equivalent to 1.62 kilometers. For a quick conversion of kilometers into miles, divide by eight and then multiply by five.

Customs & Immigration
At immigration, non-Brazilians will have their passport, visa (if required) and any other immigration formalities checked.
Like most airports, the airports in Brazil have different lines for national passport holders and foreign visitors. Foreign passport holders should make sure they get their passports stamped and that they retain half of the immigration form they fill in on arrival. Visitors who miss getting their passport stamped or who lose the form will have to get clearance from the Federal Police to leave the country and - as well as being delayed - may have to pay a fine.

Safety
One of the urban myths that surrounds Brazil and can put people off a visit is the question of safety and security. In fact, Brazil, including the main cities of Rio, Salvador and São Paulo, is no more dangerous than anywhere in Europe or North America and violent crimes against tourists or foreign visitors are extremely rare, hence the headlines if they do happen. Brazil is also politically stable with no natural enemies and no terrorist activities. Being sensible and streetwise is the key to a trouble-free and enjoyable stay in Brazil. However, just like in London, Paris, New York or any other major metropolitan and tourist centre, petty crime in Brazil is an unfortunate fact of life. The crime tourists are most likely to fall victim to in Brazilian cities is robbery and the target of most petty pilfering is the bag. If a bag is left unattended, the chances are that somebody else will try to pick it up. The simple solution is that visitors can't get robbed if they've got nothing with them to be stolen. Always leave travelers checks, passports, air tickets and the like in the hotel safe deposit box. Visitors should however carry some form of ID, such as a photocopy of their passports, with them at all times.

Religion
Catholicism is Brazil's largest religion but Protestants, Jews, Evangelical Christians and Afro-Brazilian religions, such as Macumba, Candomblé and Umbanda, are all present and practiced in Brazil.

Drink
Many international travellers think Brazilian beer is one of the best in the entire western hemisphere. The legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages in Brazil is 18. Brazil produces or imports most of the major international brands. The national drink is cachaça, made from crushed sugar cane, which is the basis of the popular caipirinha. Cachaça is also the basis for batidas, a mix of cachaça and fresh fruit juices. Soft drinks are no less spectacular and the most popular is Guaraná. Brazil is, of course, the world's largest coffee producer.

Health & Insurance
Brazil has an excellent network of private hospitals in the major metropolitan centres. Private medical care is expensive, so it is advisable that all visitors take out medical insurance prior to their arrival.

Vaccinations
An international certificate of vaccination against Polio is necessary for children entering Brazil between the ages of three months and six years. An international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever will be required from travellers who, within three months prior to their arrival in Brazil, have been in any of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Venezuela and Zaire. A Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting the following areas of Brazil:Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins.Please note that Yellow Fever vaccinations take approximately 10 days to become effective.

VISA
Other nationals who currently do not need a visa to enter Brazil as tourists include those from: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, The Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican and Venezuela. If there is any doubt about the need for a visa, please get in contact to the nearest consulate.