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For
hundreds of years, Brazil has symbolized the great escape
into a primordial, tropical paradise, igniting the Western
imagination like no other South American country.
From
the mad passion of Carnaval to the immensity of the dark Amazon,
Brazil is a country of mythic proportions. All the while,
the people of Brazil delight visitors with their energy, fantasy
and joy.
Full
country name: República Federativa do Brazil
Area: 8,547,403 sq km (3,300,155 sq mi)
Population: 172 million
Capital city: Brasília
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; also a significant proportion
who either belong to various cults or practice Indian animism
Government: Federal republic
President: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
GDP:
US$650 billion
GDP per head: US$4060
Inflation: 8% (1999)
Major industries:Textiles, shoes, chemicals, lumber, iron
ore, tin, steel, motor vehicles and parts, arms, soya beans,
orange juice, beef, chicken, coffee, sugar
Major trading partners: EU, Central and South America, Asia,
USA
Brazil
Flight from UK
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