Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, both in land mass and in population. Although eighty percent of Brazil is Catholic, we will have total freedom of religion with no problems from the Catholic church.  Brazil only has about one Baptist missionary for every 1 million Brazilians.  Brazilians speak the language of Portuguese and live in very large, modern cities with only four percent of Brazilians living in the Amazon.

NAME: In English it is spelled with a z - Brazil; however, in Brazil it is spelled with an s - Brasil.

LANGUAGE: Portuguese. English is understood in tourist centers. Most people understand Spanish, and German in the south.

CLIMATE: Mean yearly temperatures vary between 82^oF in the North and 68^oF in the South. Temperature range: São Paulo 74^oF to 82^oF in January, 35^oF to 65^oF in July. Seasons are the reverse of those in the USA. Below freezing temperatures are rare except in the far South and at high altitudes. I suffer more in Brazil from the cold than in the USA because there are no central heating systems. It is just as cold inside as it is outside.

TIME DIFFERENCE: For most of Brazil, add one hour to Eastern Standard time.

SIZE: It has 3,287,195 square miles - larger than continental USA. The fifth largest nation in the world, behind USA.

POPULATION: Brazil has a population of over 200 million, of whom 55% are white, 38% are mulatto, and 6% are Negro, 1% other (Japanese, Arab, etc.).

GOVERNMENT: There are 26 states, a Federal District, and three territories governed by a President with a five year term, a Federal Senate and a Chamber of Deputies, similar to our House of Representatives.

HISTORY: Brazil was claimed for Portugal in 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral.  Rio de Janeiro became the home of the royal court of Portugal in 1808 when King John VI fled from the advancing army of Napoleon. The Brazilians eventually demanded independence but, curiously enough, retained the king’s son, Pedro I, as their Emperor. He abdicated in favor of his own son, who ruled until a bloodless revolution resulted in the establishment of a republic in 1889.

RELIGION: Catholic - largest population in the world; 7th Day Adventist - largest population in the world; Jehovahs Witnesses - second largest population in the world (behind USA).  Other religions including - Spiritist, Islam, Buddhist, Mormons, Assembly of God, Christian Congregation, Universal Church of God, Baptist, and Four Square Gospel.

AGE DISTRIBUTION: The population below 20 years is 46.7%. The life expectancy for males is 64 years and 69 years for females.

LITERACY: 83% of the total population 15 years of age and over can read and write.

NATURAL RESOURCES: Bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydro power, and timber.

INDUSTRIES: Textiles, shoes, chemicals, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment.

AGRICULTURE: Coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugar cane, cocoa, citrus, Brazil is most famous for its coffee.