LARM Brazil
Brazil is a Federal republic with 26 states and a federal district with an estimated 192 million inhabitants. Brazil has the largest population in Latin America and ranks fifth in the world regarding area size. The majority of people live in the south-central area, which includes the industrial cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Urban growth has been rapid; by 2000, 78% of the total population was living in urban areas. This growth has aided economic development.
- Geography
- Political
- Economy
- Social
- Phone Numbers
- Schools
- Immigration
- Housing
- More Information
Capital: Brasília
Area: 8,514,876,599 SQ KM (SQ.MILES)
Population: 191,480,630 (22 inhabitants per SQ KM)
Industry: Iron, Steel, Petrochemicals, Machinery, Vehicles, Consumer Goods, Cement, Wood Products, Shipbuilding, Metal Products, Fertilizer, Textiles, Clothing, Paper Products, Plastics, and Pharmaceuticals.
LOCATION
Located in South America, Brazil takes up nearly half of the continent's area. About 93% of Brazil’s territory is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Brazil borders Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It also borders the Atlantic Ocean for about 7,367 Km.WEATHER
Brazil has a mostly tropical or semitropical climate with temperate zones in the south. However, due to the country’s extension, every region has its own climate characteristics. The north is hot, rainy and humid with temperatures between 24°C and 26°C while the northeast is dry and hot with temperatures between 18°C and 26°C.The south is colder and it can even have some snow with temperatures below 20°C. The rainy season tends to be during the summer months (Dec - April); with high humidity all along the coast and heavy rainfall.
GOVERNMENT
The federal government is made up of 3 branches, executive, legislative, and judicial. There are 81 senators, three for each state and the Federal District, and 513 deputies. The president serves a 4 year term and is eligible for re-election for an additional 4-year term. He also appoints his own cabinet.
The federal government is made up of 3 branches, executive, legislative, and judicial. There are 81 senators, three for each state and the Federal District, and 513 deputies. The president serves a 4 year term and is eligible for re-election for an additional 4-year term. He also appoints his own cabinet.
CURRENCY
Reais
BANKS
As a great business center, São Paulo has a large variety of international banks such as Banco Real, Citibank (Citigroup), HSBC Bank Brazil, Banco Santander, and Itau. Usually, banks are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Reais
BANKS
As a great business center, São Paulo has a large variety of international banks such as Banco Real, Citibank (Citigroup), HSBC Bank Brazil, Banco Santander, and Itau. Usually, banks are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
LANGUAGES Portuguese. English is taught in schools and many high-level executives and professionals speak it fluently.
RELIGION
Roman Catholic. (80%)
SHOPPING
In São Paulo you’ll find a variety of shopping centers such as Iguatemi São Paulo, and Shopping Eldorado. Also, some streets are filled with small shops. There are many bookstores, supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations. In general, stores open at 8:00 am and close at 08:00 pm. Malls are usually open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Monday - Saturday, and on Sunday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There are also many 24 hour stores available.
Restaurants
Brazilian food shows influence from African cuisine. For example, in Bahia dishes are mostly prepared with bananas, coconuts, fish, palm oil, and hot peppers. However in some southern areas of Brazil churrasco is the food of choice. Feijoada, Brazil's national dish is a combination of black beans, dried beef, and pork. Coffee, Batidas (fruit smoothies with rum), Mate (tea like drink), and beer are the drinks of choice in Brazil.
Entertainment
In São Paulo there are many things to do no matter what your interests are. You can find multiplexes at major malls in Morumbi, Itaim, Brooklin, Jardins showing films in their original language, with Portuguese subtitles. There are also concert halls such as Julio Prestes Station which is home to the São Paulo State Symphonic Orchestra, theaters such as Municipal Theater which was built in 1903 and inaugurated in 1911, and many museums such as Latin America Memorial, The Brazilian House Museum, Museum of Image and Sound, and Museum of Brazilian Art.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Police: 190 Emergency call
Fire: 193
Ambulance: 192
Telephone Operator: 000111 (International) 101 (local calls)
Directory Enquiries: 102
Police: 190 Emergency call
Fire: 193
Ambulance: 192
Telephone Operator: 000111 (International) 101 (local calls)
Directory Enquiries: 102
SCHOOLS
The public schools are free but mainly the poorer population uses the Public educational System, and due to the low quality of the education the middle to upper class population private schools are commonly used. Brazilian schools run from beginning of February to mid December with a one month winter break in July. About 80% of the population age 15 or older is literate. There are many public schools but Catholic schools can also be found.. There are also some international schools such as, Graded in Morumbi, Chapel in Santo Amaro, Miguel de Cervantes in Morumbi, Dutch Schools and others that follow the same process as the country of origin. All schools have bus transportation provided by outsourced companies.
The public schools are free but mainly the poorer population uses the Public educational System, and due to the low quality of the education the middle to upper class population private schools are commonly used. Brazilian schools run from beginning of February to mid December with a one month winter break in July. About 80% of the population age 15 or older is literate. There are many public schools but Catholic schools can also be found.. There are also some international schools such as, Graded in Morumbi, Chapel in Santo Amaro, Miguel de Cervantes in Morumbi, Dutch Schools and others that follow the same process as the country of origin. All schools have bus transportation provided by outsourced companies.
IMMIGRATION PROCESS
· American Consulate: www.brasilia.usembassy.gov
· Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce: www.brazilcham.com
· Federal Police: www.dpf.gov.br
In Brazil, there are some kinds of work visas which are applicable depending on the activities that the assignee will perform and the length of the assignment in Brazil. The most common ones are:
- Temporary Work visa: This category is applicable for workers coming to Brazil to perform administrative activities. It is valid for 2 years, renewable for 2 more years. The worker should be included on the Brazilian payroll and receive part of the monthly salary in Brazil.
- Permanent Work Visa: This category is applicable for workers coming to Brazil to occupy a senior managerial or administrative position in the company, such as general manager, director, administrator, etc. It is valid up to 5 years and renewable. The worker should be included on the Brazilian’s Company Article of Incorporation and it is a mandatory having a foreign investment.
- Technical Work Visa: This category is applicable for technical activities, for workers coming to Brazil for technical services, such as technology transferring; technical assistance; cooperation agreement. There are three kinds of technical visa: 1) valid for 1 year, renewable for one more year; 2) valid for 90 days, not renewable; 3) valid for 30 days, not renewable.
The worker will keep receiving salary abroad and should not have any labor link with the Brazilian Company.
Brazilian Local Documentation
Brazilian Identity Card (RNE)
Brazilian Tax ID Card (CPF)
Work Booklet (CTPS)
Drivers License
· American Consulate: www.brasilia.usembassy.gov
· Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce: www.brazilcham.com
· Federal Police: www.dpf.gov.br
HOUSING COSTS
Renting a property in São Paulo can be expensive depending on the region, however, condominium and apartment buildings often have nice grounds, pools, sports courts, barbecue grills, gyms, playgrounds, etc. The rents can range anywhere from $900 USD for a small apartment to $15,000 USD for a larger property.
Renting a property in São Paulo can be expensive depending on the region, however, condominium and apartment buildings often have nice grounds, pools, sports courts, barbecue grills, gyms, playgrounds, etc. The rents can range anywhere from $900 USD for a small apartment to $15,000 USD for a larger property.
HOLIDAYS New Years Day: Jan 1
Dia de Reyes: Jan 6
Carnival: Feb. (varies)
Ash Wednesday: Feb. (varies)
Holy Thursday: April
Holy Friday: April
Tiradentes Day: Apr. 21
Labor Day: May 1
Mother’s Day: May (2nd. Sunday)
Valentine’s Day: June 12 (not a day off)
Corpus Christi :June (varies)
Independence Day: Sept. 7
Father’s Day: Aug. (2nd. Sunday)
Brazil Patron’s Day: Our Lady of Aparecida and Children’s Day Oct. 12
Republic Proclamation: Nov. 15
Christmas Day: Dec. 25
Technical Information:
Voltage: In São Paulo 127v is used.
Plugs: Standard European Plugs, but American Plugs Adapters can be found.
Television Systems: Palm M
