Happy Independence Day Brazil !

….Or as we say here Parabens (Congratulations)! 

Brazil's Flag .. it reads "Order and Progress"

Today is Brazil’s Independence Day.  It has been a weekend full of parties, music, parades, and festivities.  This is a very big holiday celebrated here, as one can imagine. Our little beach village that we live in, has been invaded by the “holiday weekenders” as it is every year at this time.  Hence the fact for being a hermit crab this weekend.   We go from about 10,000 people to about 20,000 (ok, maybe I am over estimating, but I don’t know exact figures) in one weekend.  Its quite crazy. They arrive in carloads, rent a large house (always empty, with nothing in it, just bare walls) and set up shop.  They bring EVERYTHING from mattresses rolled up, to cookware, fans, stereos, BIG speakers, food, liquor, hammocks, and the list goes on.  They usually accommodate up to 50 people in one house and throw a BIG party. The party goes for 3 days straight, non-stop.  Now most of these are young people, but you do get a few older ones too, whom usually stay in a Pousada  (Inn) with family.  I can say for the most part it’s o.k., but I do have to say I am a bit sleep deprived, and this time it’s not from my daughter, but the loud music playing round the clock.  For all the businesses here, it’s a wonderful money making weekend, and that always puts a smile on everyone’s face.   

SO in honor of Brazil’s Independence today, I wanted to share a few interesting facts on Brazil. Enjoy .. 

• Brazil was  a colony of Portugal until it gained its Independence in 1822
• Predominately Roman Catholic and Portuguese speaking 
• It is made up by 26 states.  With Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte being the largest metropolitan cities in Brazil
• Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in the world, after Russia, China, Canada and the USA.  
• It is the fifth most populous country in the world
• The currency in Brazil is the Real (pronounced he-owl or plural reais he-eyes)
• Brazil is recognized as having the greatest biological diversity in the world, scientists estimate that the total number of plant and animal species in Brazil could approach 4 million
• In 2007, Fundacao Nacional do Indio (National Indian Foundation)  reported the presence of 67 tribes yet living without contact with civilization, putting that at the largest number of uncontacted peoples in the world 
• Brazil is a political and economic leader in Latin America 
• The national capital city is Brasilia
• Major export products include aircraft, coffee, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear, corned beef and electrical equipment
• Brazil passion is futebol (soccer) and novelas (soap operas) 
• The festival of Carnaval  (Carnival) is one of the most potent images of Brazil. A large celebration held every year 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent.  
• Some great music styles of Brazil include Bossa Nova, Samba, Frevo, Forro, and Pagode

These are just a few of the wonderful, interesting facts of Brazil.  There is so much more I could tell but then this post would never end.  If you are interested in reading a nice book on Brazil, its people, culture, history and more, I recommend this one.  I know there are many more books out there, but this one I have personally read and loved!  

If you are living in Brazil, please share with me how your city celebrates Independence Day?  Or if you have any great book recommendations on Brazil, I would love to hear…. 

Tchau (Bye) for now …….Tanya