South America.

Brazil spans several time zones:
Eastern Standard Time: GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March).
Western Standard Time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from third Sunday in October to third Saturday in March).
North East States and East Parà: GMT - 3.
Amapa and West Parà: GMT - 4.
Acre State: GMT - 5.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: GMT - 2.

8,547,404 sq km (3,300,171 sq miles).

192 million (official estimate 2008).

22.5 per sq km.

Brasília. Population: 2.3 million (official estimate 2008).

Brazil covers almost half of the South American continent and it is bordered to the north, west and south by all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador; to the east is the Atlantic. The country is topographically quite flat and at no point do the highlands exceed 3,000m (10,000ft). Over 60% of the country is a plateau; the remainder consists of plains. The River Plate Basin (the confluence of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, both of which have their sources in Brazil) in the far south is more varied, higher and less heavily forested. North of the Amazon are the Guiana Highlands, partly forested, partly stony desert. The Brazilian Highlands of the interior, between the Amazon and the rivers of the south, form a vast tableland, the Mato Grosso, from which rise mountains in the southwest that form a steep protective barrier from the coast called the Great Escarpment, breached by deeply cut river beds. The population is concentrated in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The city of São Paulo has a population of over 12 million, while over 7 million people live in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Federal Republic.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva since 2002.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a former shoeshine boy and metal worker, became Brazil's first left-wing president in four decades when he beat his government-backed rival by a wide margin in the 2002 elections. He secured his position as the people's choice with a landslide victory in presidential elections in October 2006. The Lula government has faced a difficult balancing act between social welfare and the economy. Lula's left-wing ideals and commitment to social reforms sparked fears about the future of the Brazilian economy. While the economy slowed it was not the picture of doom that critics painted. At the start of his new term as president, Lula announced a target of 5% growth to be fuelled through tax cuts on investments and ensuring government spending does not grow faster than the economy.

The official language is Portuguese, with different regional accents characterising each state. Spanish, English, Italian, French and German are also spoken, particularly in tourist areas. Four linguistic roots survive in the indigenous areas: Gê, Tupi-guarani, Aruak and Karib.

There is no official religion, but approximately 74% of the population are Roman Catholics. A number of diverse evangelical cults are also represented, as are animist beliefs (particularly the Afro-Brazilian religion of candomblé).

Brasília and Recife, 220 volts AC; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, 127 volts AC or 220 volts in larger hotels. Plugs are of the two-pin type. Most hotels provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets, transformers and adaptors.

In informal situations, it is common to kiss women on both cheeks when meeting and taking one's leave. Handshaking is customary between men, and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir from the visitor's home country will be well-received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly during hot weather. For more formal occasions the mode of dress will be indicated on invitations. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor.