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© 2016 Dwellworks
Page 4
Discovering Brazil
Facts About Brazil
Official Country Name:
Federative Republic of Brazil,
República Federativa do
Brasil
Capital City:
Brasilia
Official Language
: Brazilian Portuguese
Official Religion:
While there is no official religion, the majority of Brazilians practice
Catholicism
Currency:
Brazilian Real (BRL), indicated by preceding the number with R$
Weights and Measurements:
Metric System
Electricity/Voltage:
Typically 110V is used, but there are several exceptions. 220V
outlets are found in the kitchen and laundry areas. Brazil is currently using a “Type N”
plug
General Info
Public Holidays
Because Catholicism is the religion followed by the majority of people in Brazil, many public
holidays are based on religious events. Cities and states also have their own particular
public holidays which are not included in the following chart.
Holiday
Date
New Year’s Day
January 1
Carnival
Friday-Tuesday, leading into Ash Wednesday
Tiradentes – Revolutionary Day
April 21
Easter
Varies, earliest March 22 or latest April 25
Corpus Christi
60 days after Easter, typically May/June
Labor Day
May 1
Independence Day
September 7
Nossa Senhora Aparecida – Patron Saint of
Brazil
October 12
Republic Proclamation
November 15
Christmas
December 25
Government
Brazil is divided into one federal district (Brasília) and 26 states, each with its own governor
and state legislature. Federally, the National Congress exercises legislative power and is
composed of the Chamber of Deputies with members elected every four years, and a
Federal Senate comprised of three senators per state who are elected to eight-year terms.
The president, elected by popular vote for a four-year term with a maximum of two terms, is
both head of state and head of government, and may unilaterally intervene in state affairs.