KIDS’ GUIDE TO
Brazil
Sugar1Loaf Mountain
Welcome to Brazil Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest in South America, occupying half the continent’s landmass. Let’s learn about Brazil from kids like you. Afonso lives in Sinop, in the central part of the country. He is 12 years old.
Afonso loves playing in the water and swimming. He enjoys making a splash when he jumps into the pool.
Afonso is the Portuguese variation of Alonzo. It means “the one who is ready to be noble.”
Afonso wears shorts called swim trunks when he swims. Sometimes he wears goggles to keep water from getting in his eyes.
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Camila is Afonso’s sister. Her name means “messenger of the gods.” Camila is in primary school. She is a good student. Camila wants to be an artist someday. She likes painting, drawing, music, and dancing.
The arts, such as painting, theater, and dance, are popular in Camila’s country. Some great artists come from Brazil. Afonso and Camila love their country and hope you will, too. Let’s learn some more about Brazil.
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Where in the World? Brazil has 7,483 kilometers (4,650 miles) of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean with numerous archipelagos. In the northwest, the Amazon rainforest covers more than 60 percent of the country. To the east, highlands and mountain ranges stretch through Brazil. Its central region features plateaus and rolling hills. The nation is home to the Amazon River, the world’s second longest river. In the south, Iguaçu River feeds Iguaçu Falls, the world’s largest waterfall system.
Hilda lives in Belém, located on Guajará Bay in northern Brazil. It is a port city and gateway to the country’s lower Amazon region.
BRAZIL
Juan lives in Curitiba. It is located in southern Brazil on the Paraná Plateau at an elevation of about 930 meters (3,051 feet).
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
40ºW
W
PORT OF SPAIN
N
60ºW
CARACAS
GE
OR
GE
TO
10 ºN
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
A T L A N T I C
GUYANA
SURINAME
Rio
O C E A N
PARAMARIBO CAYENNE
FRENCH GUIANA
Boa Vista
Macapa Be l e m Sao Luis Amazon
as
Manaus
Fo r t a l e z a
ei ad
s
M
B
Po r to Ve lh o Rio Branco
Natal
R
A
Z
L sc
Pa l m a s
o
Maceio Aracaju
Sao
PERU
I
Joao Pessoa Recife
i
o
F ranc
Ri
a ia
Pu
gu
io
Rio A ra
ru
Ju r u a
R
BRASILI A
Cu i a b a
LA PAZ
Salvador
io
BOLIVIA
R
Go i a n i a
P A C I F I C
Belo Horizonte Vitoria
Ca m p o Gr a n d e
rm
Niteroi Sa o Pa u l o Rio De Janeiro
ASUNCION ej
Cu r i t i b a
o
N
Be
T I C
PARAGUAY Rio
Florianopolis
CHILE
O C E A N
Rosario
SANTIAGO
BUENOS AIRES
ARGENTINA Rio
Co
lo r
30 ºS
A
Po r t o A l e g r e
TL A
Rio
Te r e s i n a
O C E A N
o
ra
Ri
BRA ZIL
URUGUAY
P OL I T I C A L W I T H S TAT E S
MONTEVIDEO Rio de la Plata
Countr y capital State capital Major city 0
ado
0
450 km 450 mi
Can You Find It? Caruaru
Santos
Goiânia
Brasília
Bauru
Olinda
Maceió
Manaus 5
Northeastern Brazil has a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures and rainfall year-round. The central region has more aridity with cooler winters and seasonal differences in rainfall and temperature. The south is subtropical. Jordana lives in Cuiabá. The region has a tropical savanna climate, and the city is known for its high temperatures.
Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest is the world’s most biodiverse, home to thousands of species. Predators such as jaguars and pumas roam the jungle alongside primates, anteaters, sloths, tapirs, and tropical birds.
The Amazon River also has many species, including piranhas, dolphins, otters, manatees, and eels. Farther south, Brazil features temperate coniferous forests home to deer, squirrels, and foxes. Off the coast, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean include sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and many species of coral fish, invertebrates, and sea plants. 6
Amazon River Originating in Peru’s Andes Mountains, the Amazon River travels east through northern Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. In terms of the volume of its flow, the Amazon is the world’s largest river. There are no bridges over the river, instead ferries are used to cross.
Amzaon River Pico da Neblina (Mist Peak) Amazon Rainforest
Pico da Neblina (Mist Peak) Brazil’s highest peak stands in the country’s northwest at 2,995 meters (9,826 feet) above sea level within Pico da Neblina National Park on the Venezuela border. As its name suggests, this mountain is usually shrouded by dense clouds.
Amazon Rainforest The world’s largest rainforest covers much of northwestern Brazil. Extremely biodiverse, it has more plant and animal species than any place in the world. In addition, it is home to 350 ethnic groups. 7
History 6000 BCE–1500 CE Before Europeans arrived, some 2,000 indigenous tribes inhabit Brazil’s coastal and riparian areas.
1529 Recognizing its valuable natural resource of hardwood, Brazil implements a system under which the country is divided into parcels.
1555 Disease decimates the indigenous population and entire villages disappear. Their advanced agricultural techniques are lost.
1821 King João VI returns to Portugal, leaving his son Pedro behind as regent of Brazil. The following year, Pedro leads the secession from Portugal and institutes a constitutional monarchy. 8
1889 A coup d’état led by General Deodoro da Fonseca unseats the emperor and installs da Fonseca as president. Brazil is now an independent country ruled by a military regime.
1930 Unrest among the working class leads to a revolt. The populist governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Getúlio Vargas, takes power as head of a provisional revolutionary government.
1989 Liberal Fernando Collor de Mello is Brazil’s first democratically elected president in 29 years. His first order of business is battling hyper-inflation.
2011 Dilma Rousseff, the country’s first female president, takes office. The 2010 census reveals less than two-thirds of the Brazilian population identifies as Catholic. 9
People Brazilians have complex ancestries though the majority are white. Within this distinction are a mix of European ethnicities that includes Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and German.
Sérgio has German ancestry. His lessons at school are taught in Portuguese, but he speaks a Germanic language called Hunsrik with his family at home. The biggest minority are pardo, or moreno, describing those with a mixed ancestry deriving from Europe, South Asia, West Africa, or indigenous Indians.
The country’s official language is Portuguese. There also are Germanic, Italian and more than 100 indigenous languages spoken by communities in Brazil. 10
Most Brazilians are Christians with Roman Catholics accounting for about 65 percent of the population followed by Protestants at around 22 percent.
Islam, Buddhism, and Spiritism also are practiced on a small scale, as well as indigenous religious beliefs such as Candomblé, Umbanda, Batuque, Xango, Catimbo, and Tambor de Mina. Janaína’s family practices Candomblé, an AfroBrazilian religion. She is named for Iemanjá, a goddess that symbolizes the divinity of the sea.
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Names Rafael Rafael is a Greek name that means “God has healed.”
Leticia Leticia comes from a Latin word meaning “joy” or “gladness.”
Raimunda
Raimunda is a Spanish name meaning “wise defender.”
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Joao
Joao is a Portuguese version of a Hebrew name that means “God is gracious.”
e (Male) Nam
Antonio
Origin
M e aning
Carolos
Latin
praiseworthy
Spanish
free man
Jose
Hebrew
“God increases”
Joao
Hebrew
“God is gracious”
Manoel
Spanish
famous warrior
Hebrew
“God is with us”
Marcelo
French
little warrior
Paulo
Latin
small, humble
Pedro
Latin
rock
Hebrew
“God has healed”
Luiz
Rafael
e (Female) Nam
Aline
Origin
M e aning
English
noble
Hebrew
grace, favor
Latin
praiseworthy
Beatriz
Latin
bringer of joy
Joana
Hebrew
“God is gracious”
Josefa
Hebrew
“God increases”
Juliana
Latin
youthful
Latin
joy, gladness
Latin
star of the sea
Latin
rose
Ana
Antonia
Leticia
Maria Rosa
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Learn Portuguese Portuguese is spoken as a native language by nearly 100 percent of the population. However, Brazilian Portuguese has been influenced by West African languages and has grammatical differences from the language spoken in Portugal. Oi
Oy (Hello)
Bom dia
Bohm JEE-ah (Good morning)
Meu nome é
MAY-oo NOH-mee eh___ (My name is ___)
¿Cómo estás?
KOH-moh ehs-tahs (How are you?)
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Tenho fome
teh-nhoo foh-m (I’m hungry) Estou com sede
es-too com SAY-dje (I’m thirsty)
Obrigado(a)
Oh-bree-GAH-doh (Thank you)
Por favor
Poh FAH-voh (Please)
Sim
Seem (Yes)
Não
Naum (No)
Tchau Chow (Goodbye) 15
Holidays and Festivals Brazil has a rich and dynamic culture, and Brazilians celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year. Here are a few:
Independence Day Marking the anniversary of the day Brazil became independent from Portugal on September 7, 1822, this holiday is typically celebrated from August 31 to September 7. Festivities include green and yellow decorations, colorful parades, patriotic music, sporting events, and fireworks.
Children’s Day The feast day of Nossa Senhora da Aparecida, the patron saint of children, is October 12; therefore, it is a day to celebrate youngsters. Government offices, private organizations, and schools sponsor activities, shows, programs, games, competitions, and other treats for children at parks and malls. 16
Lovers’ Day Brazil’s version of Valentine’s Day, this holiday takes place on June 12. Couples exchange gifts such as flowers, cards, chocolates, and other treats to show their love for one another. They spend time together and often go on dinner dates.
Bumba-Meu-Boi (Ox Dance Festival) Based on a folktale about an ox, this festival takes place the weekend before June 24 in Sao Luis. As music plays, participants dressed up as animals from Brazilian Indian mythology parade through the streets.
Black Consciousness Day November 20 is the day Brazil celebrates Afro-Brazilians such as Zumbi dos Palmares who died on this day in 1695. It is marked by music, marches, exhibits, parades, conferences, and cultural events for the advancement of the status and rights of Afro-Brazilians. 17
Food With its variety of influences deriving from African and European immigrants as well as its native peoples, Brazilian cuisine is a true fusion. An Asian influence also is noticeable in the country’s food offerings, particularly from Japan, and Portuguese traditions are deeply ingrained. These various cultures and their representative ingredients and dishes are found throughout this largest of South American countries.
Bolinhos de Bacalhau These salt-cod croquettes are eaten in most of Brazil, but are particularly popular in the capital, Brasília.
Empadinhas The Brazillian version of empanadas, these little savory pies are baked with fillings of meat and cheese.
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Salada de Palmito Heart of palm is a popular vegetable in northern Brazil. This salad is topped with a simple dressing of oil and vinegar. It may include other veggies such as tomatoes or olives.
Feijoada Brazil’s national dish is a rich stew of beans and meat, usually beef and pork.
Couve à Mineira This simple side dish of sautéed greens is always served with the national dish, feijoada, but also can accompany other meals.
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Farofa Often sprinkled over feijoada and other stews, farofa is made of toasted cassava flour. It has a smoky and salty flavor.
Bolo de Natal Similar to Italian panettone, this popular fruit cake is commonly served at Christmas.
Picadinho This spicy beef stew is traditionally flavored with lard or bacon and malaguetinha peppers.
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Crème de Abacate (Avocado Cream)
This simple and creamy dessert is made using the versatile avocado, which is the star of many Brazilian recipes.
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients 1 large avocado 1–2 Tbsp (15–30 ml) fresh lime juice 2–4 Tbsp (30–60 ml) sugar Salt, to taste ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
Directions Peel the avocado and remove the pit. Combine the avocado, lime juice, sugar, and salt in a blender and purée. Pour the heavy cream in gradually while continuing to purée. Pour mixture into individual serving dishes. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
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National Symbols National Bird Rufous-Bellied Thrush (common name) Turdus rufiventris (scientific name)
National Day Independence Day September 7
National Flower Ipe-Amarelo (common name) Tabebuia chrysantha (scientific name)
National Animal Jaguar (common name) Panthera onca (scientific name)
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National Flag First used – November 19, 1889 (current version May 11, 1992) Nickname – Auriverde (“Gold and Green”)
National Currency Brazil’s official currency is the Brazilian real and centavo. 1 Brazilian real = 100 centavos
National Anthem “Hino Nacional Brasileiro” (“Brazilian National Anthem”)” Lyrics by: Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada
Transliteration of Chorus
English Translation of Chorus
Terra adorada Entre outras mil És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada! Dos filhos deste solo És mãe gentil, Pátria amada, Brasil!
Beloved Land, amongst a thousand others art thou, Brazil, O beloved homeland! To the sons of this land thou art a gentle mother, beloved homeland, Brazil!
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Things to See and Do Tijuca National Park Brazil’s most-visited park is a 3,200-hectare (8,000-acre) rainforest in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. The world’s largest city-surrounded urban forest, it’s home to waterfalls, tropical plants, and many animals.
Lago Paranoá (Paranoá Lake) This giant lake flanks the eastern side of Brasília. Originally built to increase the amount of water available to the city, it has become a popular site for watersports and has one of Brazil’s largest marinas.
The Meeting of Waters A natural phenomenon visible from as far as space takes place in Manaus when the waters of the dark Negro and sandy-colored Amazon rivers flow together to form the Solimões River. Although converged, they don’t mix for nearly 6.5 kilometers (4 miles). 24
Sugarloaf Mountain Rising 396 meters (1,299 feet) over Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay, this landmark peak gives a bird’s eye view of the region. A cable car takes riders to the summit.
Abismo Guy Collet The world’s deepest quartzite cave is found on a flat-topped mountain near northern Brazil’s border with Venezuela. It was first explored in 2006 to a depth of 671 meters (2,201 feet).
Pedra da Gávea (Rock of the Topsail) Within Tijuca National Park, this granite and gneiss rock rises to 842 meters (2,762 feet) tall. Due to erosion, it resembles a human face. It is often used as a landmark by marine vessels, since it is clearly visible at sea. 25
Iguaçu National Park Encompassing five different forests and biosystems as well as the world’s largest waterfall system, Iguaçu National Park is South America’s largest forest preserve. Iguaçu Falls, on the Argentine border, features 275 drops.
Blue Well This quartz cave has blue water that cascades from a waterfall. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the shimmering water.
São Paulo Zoo Brazil’s largest zoo is in southern São Paulo’s Parque do Estado. Opened in 1958, it is home to around 3,200 animals representing more than 400 species.
Museum of Tomorrow Focused on the planet with an emphasis on sustainability and coexistence, this futuristic museum is a sight to behold. Along with interactive exhibits, it has a shop and café. 26
Roraima Amapá Rio Grande do Norte Amazonas
Pará
Ceará
Maranhão
Paraíba Pernambuco
Piauí
Acre
Tocantins
Rondônia
Bahia
Mato Grosso
Alagoas Sergipe
Goiás Minas Gerais Mato Grosso do Sul
Distrito Federal
São Paulo
Paraná
Espírito Santo Rio de Janerio
Santa Catarina Rio Grande do Sul
Location Guide Tijuca National Park Lago Paranoá (Paranoá Lake)
Pedra da Gávea (Rock of the Topsail)
The Meeting of Waters Sugarloaf Mountain
Blue Well São Paulo Zoo
Abismo Guy Collet
Museum of Tomorrow
Iguaçu National Park
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Fun Facts Once Portuguese Brazil was ruled by Portugal for more than 300 years. In fact, Rio de Janeiro was once the capital of Portugal, making it the only European capital city to exist outside of Europe.
Home Away From Home Outside of Japan, Brazil has the world’s highest number of Japanese descendants with about 2 million.
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Lots and Lots Although Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, the country’s indigenous peoples speak more than 170 different languages and dialects.
Free Change A 2007 court order made sex-change operations free in Brazil. Patients must be 21 years old and have been diagnosed as transsexual, undergoing psychological evaluation for two years.
Original Copy Although the Statue of Liberty is an American icon, it is not the only country in the world to have one. Brazil has a replica, along with Norway, France, and Japan, among many others. 29
KIDS’ GUIDE TO
Brazil São Paulo
Brasília
Rio de Janeiro
Salvador da Bahia
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