Federative Republic of Brazil

Brief history Brazil was officially "discovered" in 1500 by Portuguese diplomat Pedro lvares Cabral. September 7, 1822 Brazil gained its independence from Portugal. Abolished slavery in 1888. Main export was coffee.

Geographic The largest country in both South America and the Latin American region, occupied nearly half of land of South America. the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population A. Location Southern Hemisphere 516'20" N to 3344'32" S latitude/ 3447'30" W to 7359'32" W longitude B. Climate Brazil's climate can be characterized by five general climatic regions: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, highland tropical, and subtropical. The average temperatures vary around the country. Northeastern Brazil is the driest and one of the hottest regions in the country. The temperate south, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro experience cool winters and hot summers, with rain throughout the year and snow at higher elevations. <Seasons> Spring: September - December Summer: December - March Autumn: March - June Winter: June September C. Topography The northern part of Brazil is dominated by the basin of the Amazon River and its many tributaries. The Amazon lowlands east of the Andes constitute the world's largest tropical rain forest. In the northernmost part of the Amazon Basin lies a series of mountain ranges, known as the Guiana Highlands, where Brazil's highest mountain, Pico da Neblina (3,014 m/9,888 ft), is located.

Social institution A. Family 1. The nuclear family According to a Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, In 80s, 70% was nuclear family. The number seems to increase and new family style is also appearing such as dink couple (double income no kids) 2. The extended family Today the number of extended family is low in Brazil. Meanwhile, family tie is still very strong. The importance of family is also evident in Brazilian business culture where often family members will often be found working for the same company, either family owned or otherwise. 3. Dynamics of the family Marriage: The legal minimum age for marriage without parents assistancy is 18 for both women and men.[15] The average age at first marriage is 22.6 years for women and 25.3 years for men.[ 4. Female/male roles Civil Code Article of 2002 recognized that civil now a consensus that both, man and woman shall enjoy the same privileges and responsibilities towards the society, therefore, are equally responsible, or is obliged, in proportion to their property, and the support of the charges family and children's education. B. Education Primary and lower secondary education In Brazil it is mandatory for children to go to school from age 6 to 14. The normal practice in Brazilian schools, both public and private, is to mix all academic levels together in the same class. Fundamental education is free for everyone (including adults). Upper secondary education Upper secondary education is for young people aged 15 to 18. On top of the core curriculum subjects studied during Fundamental, students will also study philosophy. Secondary education is also free, but it is not mandatory.

Higher education Once a student has successfully completed secondary education, they may continue their studies at a public or private university. To enter a public university, students must sit an entrance exam, known as vestibular. Entrance exams to a private university are often little more than a formality and, as a consequence, public university degrees are valued much more highly than those from private institutions. Higher education (including graduate degrees) is free at public universities. Literacy rate: 90 97% (2011 estimate) C. Political system 1. Political structure The president, who is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (and may serve two terms), is both head of state and head of government. There is a bicameral legislature consisting of an upper Federal Senate and a lower Chamber of Deputies. The 81 senators are elected for eight years and the 513 deputies are elected for four years. The president may unilaterally intervene in state affairs. Administratively, the country is divided into 26 states and one federal district (Braslia); each state has its own governor and legislature. 2. Political parties Brazil has a multi-party system with numerous political parties sharing the vote, in which no single party has a chance of gaining power alone, so that they must work with each other to form coalition governments. Of its 29 officially registered parties, Brazil is actually governed by a group of five parties that dominate the national political landscape 3. Stability of government stable democratic political system, with no political enemies, no ethnic or cultural conflicts and no threat of terrorism or civil unrest. D. Legal system

The Brazilian legal system is based on Civil Law tradition. The Federal Constitution, in force since October 5th, 1988, is the supreme rule of the country and is the characterized by its rigid written form. The Constitution organizes the country as a Federative Republic, formed by the indissoluble union of the states and municipalities and of the Federal District. The 26 federate states have powers to adopt their own Constitutions and laws; their autonomy, however, is limited by the principles established in the Federal Constitution. E. Social Organizations Race: Approximately 47%, 43% brown, white, 8% black, 2% Asian F. Business customs and practices In most Brazilian cities, working hours are 8:30 am to 5.00pm with an hour or two in the middle for lunch. Businesses are usually open from 9:00am to 7:00pm Monday-Friday and 9:00-1:00pm on Saturday. Larger businesses and most in Sao Paulo may be open longer hours. It is important to schedule business appointments at least two to three weeks in advance and confirm them once you have arrived in Brazil. Also try to leave a few hours in between them should they go on longer than anticipated. Brazilians love socializing and spending time with each other. This is often done over lunches or mid-morning coffee breaks which can go on for several hours. Often coffee is served before or during a meeting. Although Brazilian culture tends to be relatively informal, Brazilians are quite fashion conscious. It is important therefore to dress smartly and conservatively. . Religion (2010 estimate) Roman Catholic 64.6% Protestantism 22.2% Non-religious 8% Other religions 5.2% . Living condition A. Diet and nutrition

Meat and vegetable consumption rate

About 81 % of men and 58 % of women consumed more meat than recommended. Fruit and vegetable consumption varied between the cities studied, was greater among women and increased with increasing age and schooling level. Main dish: race, beans and manioc

B. Housing 1. Types of housing available Many different types of houses can be found in the cities of Brazil. Families who are middle or upper class live in either houses or high rise apartments. Many of the lower class families live in houses that are similar to the ones in rural areas. 2. Rent or own 3. Typically children live at home until they get married. C. Clothing 1. National dress Brazil has no National dress; however, they have a traditional dress. The women wear brightly coloured shawls, long skirts and a turban-like scarf on their head. The Brazilian people like to

wear decent clothes at all times. 2. Types if clothing worn at work Brazilian businessmen wear a tie and suit while businesswomen wear pants, skirts and blouses in a more formal but always very feminine way, especially in the city of Sao Paulo. In other cities, like in the northwest region, a more informal way of dressing is observed and casual business dress prevails. D. Recreation, sports other leisure activities 1. Types of available and in demand 1 Football (soccer) 2 Capoeira 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Vale tudo, and Mixed Martial Arts 4 Footvolley 5 Tennis 6 Basketball 7 Motorsport 8 Volleyball E. Social securities The Ministry of Social Welfare is the overseeing government body for social security benefits in Brazil. Social Welfare is an insurance that guarantees payments for the contributor and their family in the event of illness, accident, pregnancy, imprisonment, death or old age. To benefit from the scheme, it is necessary to be registered and contribute every month. An employee will pay between 8 and 11 percent; a self-employed individual will pay 20 percent. This contribution guarantees that the contributor or their family will receive money in the event of illness, injury, accident, pregnancy or death of the payee. F. Healthcare Healthcare in Brazil is a Constitutional right. It is provided by both private and government institutions. In 1999 to 2012, 66% of the country's 7,806 hospitals, 70% of its 485,000 hospital beds, and 87% of its 723 specialized hospitals belonged to the private sector. In the area of diagnostic support and therapy, 95% of the 7,318 establishments were also private. 73% of the 41,000 ambulatory care facilities were operated by the public.

<Health Indicators> Life expectancy female 77.3 Life expectancy male 69.7 Infant mortality 22.58 Fertility 1.76 Sanitation 77% Smoker 16% Obesity female 18.3% Obesity male 8.7% Malnutrition 6% HIV 0.6% . Language the official language of Brazil; Portuguese (99% of the population) English speaker; unfortunately there is no accurate result. According to The Rio Times, A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit says that Brazil is among the worst at coping with the language barrier of the English-speaking world of business and 74 percent of the Brazilians surveyed admitted their company has suffered financial losses as a result of failed cross-border transactions much higher than the global average of around fifty percent. (http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-business/language-barriers-in-brazil-business/) (Extra) Culture The Brazilian culture is one of the worlds most varied and diverse. Brazil was a colony of Portugal for over three centuries. About a million Portuguese settlers arrived during this period and brought their culture to the colony. Black Africans, who were brought as slaves to Brazil also participated actively in the formation of Brazilian culture in music, cuisine, dance and language. Immigrants from Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Poland. Austria-Hungary and the Middle East played an important role in the areas they settled. Brazil has high context, relationship oriented and polychromic culture (P-time). <Reference> Wikipedia Brazil: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil#Language Demographic of Brazil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Brazil

Culture of Brazil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Brazil Education of Brazil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Brazil Women in Brazil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Brazil#Marriage Worldmap Literacy 2011: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WorldMapLiteracy2011.png Health in Brazil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_in_Brazil#Public_health_care_services BBC News Business: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21412761 Kwintessential: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/intercultural/management/brazil.html Angloinfo: http://brazil.angloinfo.com/family/schooling-education/school-system/ http://brazil.angloinfo.com/money/social-security/

The Brazil Business: http://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/political-parties-in-brazil Investment International: http://www.investmentinternational.com/magazine/alternative-investments/investing-in-brazil-305 7.html Choices: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/article.php?article=79