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Brazil: Questions & Answers
By Capt. Donald R. Reid*

Is it true that in certain cities in Brazil carnival lasts one entire month?

It's not quite like that... but almost. In Salvador, in Bahia, Recife and Pernambuco, festivities really extend to quite more than the four official days and celebrations can last the whole week, aside from the preparations that precede the official days. During this period, groups promote rehearsals that rapidly become a pre- carnival. The same happens in Rio de Janeiro with the rehearsals of the Samba Schools, that - now yes! - can drag on not only for over a month, but for several months. And anyone can take part, Brazilians and foreigners alike.

Thoughout the year many communities have 'off season' carnivals ... and the various communities festivals, religious, rodeos and vaquejadas (in the northeast), festas such as the 'junihas' which are cultural events, offer year around fun. Investigate these.

How much would a couple spend on a two-week trip throughout Brazil?

Aside from the expenses with air tickets and lodgings that, however, are usually are part of a travel package sold by the tourist agency, prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise: Brazil is a very inexpensive country. Especially if you are coming from Europe or the United States, where the currency is worth much more than the local Real. On the average, a full-course meal in a good restaurant
shouldn't cost more than US$ 15 and a day sightseeing, for instance, should cost just a little more than that. On the whole, a couple shouldn't have to spend more than the equivalent of US$ 1,500 to eat, enjoy the surroundings and tour the country during two weeks.

Did you know?
?
Here are some curious facts about Brazil that probably no one ever
told you about

• The fifth in the world: Brazil is the fifth largest country in the
  world in size, only losing to Russia, Canada, China and the U.S.,
  respectively. Brazil is actually larger than the continental USA
  (the original 48 not counting Alaska and Hawaii).
  
• Two among the ten: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the two main
  cities in Brazil and they are among the ten most populated in the
  world.
  
• From the end to end: To get an idea of just how large Brazil is, it
  is enough to say that to go from one end of the country to the other
  one has to spend more than six hours aboard a Boeing on a non-stop
  flight.
  
• Air success 1: And talking about airplanes, Brazil is among the
  major world commercial aircraft manufacturers, exporting its planes
  to several countries.
  
• Air success 2: The city of São Paulo has the largest private
  helicopter fleet in the world.
  
• 40% is still untouched: Brazil is so large that, albeit its
  development, more than 40% of its area is still covered by native
  vegetation.
  
• A cultural soup: Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese but suffered
  the influence of many other cultures. In the state of Santa Catarina
  there are entire towns that only speak German. And, in certain areas
  of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Italian is spoken more than
  Portuguese.
  
• More women than men: According to the last census, Brazil has more
  women than men. In some countryside towns, the proportion can reach
  two to one or more. It is said that some cities have statistics of
  up to 16-1.
  
• Natives to this day: Within the Amazon forest there are still over
  50 native tribes that have never had any contact with white man.