Brazil: Environmental Variables & Individual Variables That May Affect Business Communication.

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Subject: Identifying Brazils national environmental variables & individual variables that may affect business communication.
Section: F

Name Sundus Altaf

Registration no. L1F09MBAM2005

Submitted to:

Prof. Amna Shafqat

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Letter of Transmittal
_ April 2010

The Course Lecturer Business Communication University of Central Punjab Lahore

Dear ____

It is our pleasure to have presented this report to you, this final report is essential for the completion of our business communication course. We as a group found this report very interesting and challenging and we have put our best efforts for the completion of this report. Gathering necessary material, group discussions compiling and writing of this report has helped us improve our communication skills which are the main focus of this course. This report covers all the significant variables in Brazil which may affect business communication. We have tried our level best to make this report meet the desired requirements. However, if any explaining is required we would be honored to oblige. Kindly accept this humble effort of bringing forward our research and findings on the subject matter.

Yours Sincerely, Sundus Altaf

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Contents
A Countrys Variables That May Affect Business and Communication:.................................................. 6 An overview of the Country .................................................................................................................... 7 Location and map of Brazil: ................................................................................................................ 7 FLAG OF BRAZIL:.................................................................................................................................. 8 Variables ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Land and climate ................................................................................................................................. 8 Brazils climate: ................................................................................................................................... 8 Temperature of Brazil ......................................................................................................................... 9 Brazil rainfall ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Brief History of Brazil: ......................................................................................................................... 9 Government of Brazil ........................................................................................................................ 11 Major Political Parties ....................................................................................................................... 11 Three branches of Brazilian government:......................................................................................... 12 Role of the Executive: ....................................................................................................................... 12 Legislative roles:................................................................................................................................ 12 Powers of the Judiciary: .................................................................................................................... 13 Economy of Brazil: ............................................................................................................................ 13 Education .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Steps taken by the government of Brazil to address the issues: ...................................................... 14 Different modes of transport in Brazil: ............................................................................................. 15 Buses: ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Trains:................................................................................................................................................ 15 Car hire:............................................................................................................................................. 15 Health:............................................................................................................................................... 16 Problems with Health sector in Brazil ............................................................................................... 16 Currency of Brazil: ............................................................................................................................. 17 People of Brazil: ................................................................................................................................ 19

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Population: ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Languages being spoken in Brazil: .................................................................................................... 20 Religion: ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Christ the Redeemer (Statue of Jesus Christ peace be upon him): .................................................. 21 History of the Statue: ........................................................................................................................ 22 New Seven Wonders of the World: .................................................................................................. 22 Holidays:............................................................................................................................................ 22 Life style ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Food: ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Breakfast ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Brazil, Lunch & Dinner....................................................................................................................... 24 National game of brazil: .................................................................................................................... 26 Position Of The Family: ..................................................................................................................... 26 Models of family organization: ......................................................................................................... 27 Attitudes of Brazilians: ...................................................................................................................... 27 Relationship with extended families:................................................................................................ 28 Effect on business: ............................................................................................................................ 28 Brazilian behaviors: ........................................................................................................................... 28 Brazils Society: ................................................................................................................................. 28 Business Hours: ................................................................................................................................. 29 Cultural Customs ............................................................................................................................... 29 Methods of Greeting One Another In Brazil: .................................................................................... 29 Ways of greeting in Brazil: ................................................................................................................ 29 Non-Verbal Behavior:........................................................................................................................ 29 Words And Pharases: ........................................................................................................................ 31 References ........................................................................................................................................ 32

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A Countrys Variables That May Affect Business and Communication:

Variables that may affect business communication

National Environmental Variables Individual Variables

A)COUNTRY Land And Climate History And Government Economy Education Transportation Health

B)PEOPLE Population Language Religion Holidays Attitudes

C)LIFESTYLE OF THE COUNTRY Position Of The Family Social And Economic Levels Business Hours Food

D)CULTURAL CUSTOMS Methods Of Greeting One Another Nonverbal Behavior Words And Phrases

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An overview of the Country

Location and map of Brazil:
Brazil is the 5th largest country, both in terms of area and population, in the world. It is the largest country in South America and also the only Portuguese-speaking country.

Its location on the globe is 1547'S and 4755'W

Map of Brazil

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FLAG OF BRAZIL:
The current flag of Brazil was officially adopted on November 15, 1889.

The flag is green, symbolic of Brazil's lush fields and forests. Its primary feature is a large yellow diamond; symbolic of Brazil's wealth in gold, and in its center floats a blue celestial globe.

It includes 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil. The globe displays a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO translation = (Order and Progress.)

Variables

A) Country
Land and climate
Brazil is the largest of the Latin American countries. Covering nearly half (47.3 percent) of the continent of South America, it occupies an area of 3,286,470 sq. miles (8,511,965 sq. km). It is the fifth largest country in the world after the Russian Federation, Canada, China, and the United States. The Equator passes through the north of the country near Macapa; the Tropic of Capricorn passes through the south near So Paulo. Brazil's greatest width, 2,684 miles (4,319.4 km), is almost the same as its greatest distance from north to south, 2,731 miles (4,394.7 km). Brazil has 10 neighbors: the Department of French Guiana and the countries of Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia bound Brazil on the north. Uruguay and Argentina are on the south, and on the west are Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. Ecuador and Chile are the only two countries of continental South America that do not share a border with Brazil. The Atlantic Ocean extends along the entire eastern side of the country, giving it a coastline of 4,578 miles (7,367 km).

Brazils climate:

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Brazils climate varies according to latitude and elevation. Brazil is larger than the United States. As it is one of the few South American countries not to include the Andes Mountains, there are no permanent snowfields in Brazil. Brazil climate is characterized by five climatic regions of Brazil: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, highland tropical and subtropical. Brazil climate varies considerably from mostly tropical North (the equator intersects the Amazon) to temperate zones lying below the Tropic of Capricorn, The seasons of Brazil climate are almost the reverse of the seasons in Europe and the United States.

Temperature of Brazil
Sao Paulo and Brasilia, on the plateau, enjoy a mild climate with temperatures ranging around 66F (19C).whereas Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador have comparatively warmer climates. Porto Alegre and Curitiba experiences subtropical type of climate, with frequent frosts during the winter. The north east part of Brazil is most dry in nature where temperature even moves up to 38 degree summer. Brazil though being a tropical country creeps into the temperate zone. The Amazon Basin is characterized by a hot, tropical climate, with yearly rainfall more than 300 cm in some places; the Brazilian Highlands falls under the subtropical region. The southern upland plains enjoy a temperate climate and seldom snowfall. Cool season is from May to September, the hot season is from December to March and October to May is the time for monsoon.

Brazil rainfall
Most of Brazil experiences rainfall between 1,000 and 1,500 millimeters annually, with most rainfall occurring in summer. The Amazon region gets an annual rainfall of more than 2,000 millimeters which moves up to 3,000 millimeters in certain areas of the western Amazon and near Belem. In spite of this the Amazon rain forest experiences a maximum of a three- to five-month dry season. EFFECT ON BUSINESS

Brief History of Brazil:

The Portuguese were the first European settlers to arrive in the area, led by adventurous Pedro Cabral, who began the colonial period in 1500. The Portuguese reportedly found native Indians numbering around seven million. Most tribes were peripatetic, with only limited agriculture and temporary dwellings, although villages often had as many as 5000 inhabitants. Cultural life appears to have been richly developed, although both tribal warfare and cannibalism were ubiquitous. The few remaining traces of Brazil's Indian tribes reveal little of their lifestyle, unlike the evidence from

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other Andean tribes. Today, fewer than 200,000 of Brazil's indigenous people survive, most of who inhabit the jungle areas. Other Portuguese explorers followed Cabral, in search of valuable goods for European trade but also for unsettled land and the opportunity to escape poverty in Portugal itself. The only item of value they discovered was the pau do brasil (brazil wood tree) from which they created red dye. Unlike the colonizing philosophy of the Spanish, the Portuguese in Brazil were much less focused at first on conquering, controlling, and developing the country. Most were impoverished sailors, who were far more interested in profitable trade and subsistence agriculture than in territorial expansion. The country's interior remained unexplored.

Nonetheless, sugar soon came to Brazil, and with it came imported slaves. To a degree unequaled in most of the American colonies, the Portuguese settlers frequently intermarried with both the Indians and the African slaves, and there were also mixed marriages between the Africans and Indians. As a result, Brazil's population is intermingled to a degree that is unseen elsewhere. Most Brazilians possess some combination of European, African, Amerindian, Asian, and Middle Eastern lineage, and this multiplicity of cultural legacies is a notable feature of current Brazilian culture.

The move to open the country's interior coincided with the discovery in the 1690s of gold in the south-central part of the country. The country's gold deposits didn't pan out, however, and by the close of the 18th century the country's focus had returned to the coastal agricultural regions. In 1807, as Napoleon Bonaparte closed in on Portugal's capital city of Lisbon, the Prince Regent shipped himself off to Brazil. Once there, Dom Joao established the colony as the capital of his empire. By 1821 things in Europe had cooled down sufficiently that Dom Joao could return to Lisbon, and he left his son Dom Pedro I in charge of Brazil. When the king attempted the following year to return Brazil to subordinate status as a colony, Dom Pedro flourished his sword and declared the country's independence from Portugal (and his own independence from his father). In the 19th century coffee took the place of sugar as Brazil's most important product. The boom in coffee production brought a wave of almost one million European immigrants, mostly Italians, and also brought about the Brazilian republic. In 1889, the wealthy coffee magnates backed a military coup, the emperor fled, and Brazil was no more an imperial country. The coffee planters virtually owned the country and the

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government for the next thirty years, until the worldwide depression evaporated coffee demand. For the next half century Brazil struggled with governmental instability, military coups, and a fragile economy. In 1989, the country enjoyed its first democratic election in almost three decades. Unfortunately, the Brazilians made the mistake of electing Fernando Collor de Mello. Mello's corruption did nothing to help the economy, but his peaceful removal from office indicated at least that the country's political and governmental structures are stable. Brazil has the sixth largest population in the world--about 148 million people--which has doubled in the past 30 years. Because of its size, there are only 15 people per sq. km, concentrated mainly along the coast and in the major cities, where two-thirds of the people now live: over 19 million in greater Sao Paulo and 10 million in greater Rio. The immigrant Portuguese language was greatly influenced by the numerous Indian and African dialects they encountered, but it remains the dominant language in Brazil today. In fact, the Brazilian dialect has become the dominant influence in the development of the Portuguese language, for the simple reason that Brazil has 15 times the population of Portugal and a much more dynamic linguistic environment.

Government of Brazil
Brazil Government is a successful combination of democracy and federalism. Brazil is a federal republic with 26 states and a federal district. The 1988 constitution grants broad powers to the federal government, made up of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president holds office for 4 years, with the right to re-election for an additional 4-year term, and appoints his own cabinet. There are 81 senators, three for each state and the Federal District, and 513 deputies. Senate terms are 8 years. Each state is eligible for a minimum of 8 seats; the largest state delegation (Sao Paulo's) is capped at 70 seats. Following World War I, when Brazil began to undergo rural-urban and agricultural-industrial transformations, its political system again was unable to cope with the demands of the urban middle classes and especially the working classes. The 1945-64 period is known for its multiparty democratic politics, and four presidents were elected freely in 1945, 1950, 1955, and 1960. The military seized power in April 1964 and began twenty-one years of rule. Under its model of "relative democracy," Congress remained open, but with greatly reduced powers. Regular elections were held for Congress, state assemblies, and local offices.

Major Political Parties

Fifteen political parties are represented in Congress. Since it is common for politicians to switch parties, the proportion of congressional seats held by particular parties changes regularly. The major political parties are:

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Workers Party (PT-center-left) Liberal Front Party (PFL-right) Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB-center) Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB-center-left) Progressive Party (PP-right) Brazilian Labor Party (PTB-center-right) Liberal Party (PL-center-right) Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB-left) Popular Socialist Party (PPS-left) Democratic Labor Party (PDT-left) Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB-left) After the "economic miracle" period (1967-74), Brazil entered a "stagflation" phase concurrent with political liberalization. During the military period, Brazilian society had become 70 percent urban; the economy had become industrialized, and more manufactured goods than primary goods were exported; and about 55 percent of the population had registered to vote.

Three branches of Brazilian government:

As one of the largest democracies in the world, Government in Brazil operates with the help of three distinct branches, namely the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Role of the Executive:

The Executive branch of Brazil Government has the President as the head of the state and the government. He is elected on the basis of popular votes, after which he distributes portfolios among the ministers and secretaries he selects, for forming the cabinet. The Brazilian Executive Cabinet comprises ministries, secretaries and other agencies and offices who together contribute towards smooth running and functioning of the Brazil Government

Legislative roles:
The Legislative department of Brazilian Government consists of two houses the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, together called the National Congress. Representatives from each Brazilian state compose the Senate while the Chamber of Deputies is made up of Federal Deputies, who are peoples representatives. Both the Senators and the Deputies are elected for duration of 8 year. They can even interchange parties after being elected.

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Powers of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary in Brazilian Government acts diversely, depending upon the nature of different conflicts. It is an autonomous body, comprising: 1) Supreme Federal Court 2) National Council of Justice 3) Superior Court of Justice 4) Electoral Courts and Judges 5) Military Courts and Judges 6) Labor Courts and Judges 7) Federal Regional Courts and Judges 8) Courts and Judges of the states, Federal District and territories

Economy of Brazil:
The Brazil Economy completely depends upon the market of Brazil. The major part of the Brazil economy depends upon the export of goods to other countries. The economy of Brazil acquires the ninth place in the world and the first place in Latin America. The economy of Brazil also is dependent upon the industries and agriculture of Brazil. The industrial sector in Brazil is responsible for most of the industrial production in Brazil. Brazil is the highest producing country in the Latin America in the field of agriculture. The excessive production has also led to the export of agricultural goods to other countries and thus, earning good amount of money. There has also been a great development in the field of science and technology in Brazil due to the foreign investment in the country. Brazil has a large service sector that comprises 66% of the economy of Brazil. The industrial sector comprises 20% of the total economy of Brazil. Agriculture represents 14% of the Brazil economy. The labor force in Brazil comprises the majority of the Brazil economy.

Education
The educational system in Brazil is compulsory for children ages 7 to 14. Brazil has both public and private sectors in education. Public education is free to all Brazilians. Private schooling is not free. The government gives 25% of its revenue to the public schooling system and some to the private. Significant changes have been made in Brazil's education structure in the past 25 years however, there is still a long battle to fight for the educational development in Brazil. Public schools in Brazil

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are not well cared for. The building structures, plumbing, and heating are usually in terrible condition. Many schools lack equipment needed and resources. In the Northeast region of Brazil, teachers are not well educated to teach. Many of them have not completed primary school themselves. Poverty and lack of schooling contribute to a vicious cycle of illiteracy in Brazil. Some areas of Brazil have more than half of the population that cannot write their own name. The country's private schools, however, are in a much better state as more money is given to them and educated teachers work for these institutions.

(A school in Brazil courtesy of http://studyabroad.duke.edu)Issues of

Brazilian Education System

Poor children have to work and cannot go to school because they have to support their families. Others, living in remote areas have to travel a long distance to get to school and therefore, usually do not attend. The dropout rate in Brazil is very high; 33 out of every 100 students who enter grade one makes it to grade six. The numbers continue to drop in high school as well. Another issue that prohibits children from receiving an education is the availability of facilities. Many children want to go to school; however, there is not a school they can go to. Sometimes schools are too far to travel to or there are not enough classrooms in a school for all children to attend.

School hours are sometimes divided into three sessions during the day so that all children have an opportunity to attend for at least part of the day. Usually, this sharing of the classrooms happens in the cities. The more affluent regions provide better education for their people.

Steps taken by the government of Brazil to address the issues:

Today, the government is trying to improve the education system of Brazil. Brazil still has a huge foreign debt. Much of the country's money goes to pay off the national debt, leaving little for the

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education systems. Since 1998, reform efforts have made high school free and they are allocating 18% of the countrys total budget to education. These efforts are made in hopes that the literacy level will increase. The future of Brazil is dependent on the development of their education system.

Different modes of transport in Brazil:

Air travel:
Brazil's airlines are Varig and Tam. Both Varig and Tam are the only Brazil airlines that offer air passes that allow visitors to fly around the country relatively easily domestically. Keep in mind though that domestic air travel on Brazil airlines is not cheap. Also, a note of caution: keep in mind that domestic flights in Brazil are subject to a departure tax (as are international flights). (Varigs plane flying in Brazil)

Buses:
As is the case in other South American countries, Brazilian's love to travel on buses, which are a primary means of cheap transportation around the country. Consequently, buses in Brazil usually come with an excellent and reliable service. Also, unlike other modes of transportation, buses in Brazil can transport you from all the major cities and towns, including right into the heart of the Amazon jungle. In this regard, bus journey in some of the more remote areas of Brazil have been known to have accidents, especially at night - so do be careful.

Trains:
Train enthusiasts should already know before they arrive which Brazilian train line to select from, since most trains in Brazil these days are under serviced and lack real investment. Having said this, South America, and Brazil in particular, offer some of the most picturesque train journeys available anywhere in the world, so you may want to try the trains in Brazil after all - especially the CuritibaParanagua line, which is delightful!

Car hire:
It is generally accepted that tourists should not hire cars in Brazil unless they know what they're doing! Road safety in Brazil is not the best in the world, and the standard of driving here leaves a lot to be desired. However, there are a number of car hire agencies operating in Brazil, so if you want to rent a car here it is feasible. But, do travel/drive with a good map and plenty of water.

Boat/river travel:
Those who enjoy a little more adventurous form of transportation might want to consider taking one of the boat ferries through some of the most spectacular, dense, vegetation in Brazil aboard a boat/ferry. Boats and ferries in Brazil traditionally trade their wares along the inland waterways of Brazil, and if you have time this is a recommended mode of Brazilian transportation. (Boat traveling in Brazil)

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Health:
The healthcare in Brazil is provided by both private and government institutions. The Minister for Health and Ageing administers national health policy. Primary health care remains the responsibility of the federal government, elements of which (such as the operation of hospitals) are overseen by individual states. Public health care is provided to all Brazilian permanent residents and is free at the point of need (being paid for from general taxation). The country is home to a number of international health organizations, such as the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information, and the Edumed Institute for Education in Medicine and Health.

Philanthropic Health Care Institution in Brazil image owned by www.panoramia.com

Problems with Health sector in Brazil

According to the Brazilian Government, the most serious health problems are: a) Childhood mortality: about 2.51% of childhood mortality, reaching 3.77% in the northeast region. b) Motherhood mortality: about 73.1 deaths per 100,000 born children in 2002. c) Mortality by non-transmissible illness: 151.7 deaths per 100,000 habitants caused by heart and circulatory diseases, along with 72.7 deaths per 100,000 habitants caused by cancer. Mortality caused by external causes (transportation, violence and suicide): 71.7 deaths per 100,000 habitants (14.9% of all deaths in the country), reaching 82.3 deaths in the southeast region. In 2002, Brazil accounted for 40% of malaria cases in the Americas. Nearly 99% are concentrated in the Legal Amazon Region, which is home to not more than 12% of the population.

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Image is Taken from (& is owned b

Health Indicator
Life expectancy female Life expectancy male Infant mortality Fertility Sanitation Smoker Obesity female 76 years

70 years

22.58%

1.89 77% 16% 18.3%

Obesity male Malnutrition HIV

8.7% 6% 30.6%

Currency of Brazil:
Brazil Currency (Real) consists of Bills ranging from- R$1, R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50 and R$100. Coins are also available in varied colors and sizes with value ranging from 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents and also 1 Real. Previously the Bills had images of Historical characters, but at present the images of Brazilian animals are illustrated on the bills. The female character at one side of the bill represents Brazil as a Republic.

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The unit of money or Brazil currency, South America is REAL (BRL). In 1500, the Portuguese established their colony in Brazil (then known as New World) and introduced the 'Real' currency. However the first official currency that was distributed everywhere bearing the 'Real' name was originally printed in the year 1654 by the Dutch when they occupied the Northeastern part of Brazil. Real became the official currency of Brazil in 1690 and since then its official status remained intact till 1942. Only in 1942, the currency named Cruzeiro replaced real. The currency rate was 1000 reis = 1 cruzeiro. In the 1980s and 1990s, Brazil went through a period of high inflation and hence this South American nation had to change its currency numerous times. Until 1986, the Brazilians dealt with Cruzeiros. In that year three zeros were removed and the currency was changed to Cruzado . After a couple of years another three zeros were removed and the new cruzados'-(Cruzados Novos) were introduced to the people of Brazil. In 1990, the Cruzeiros once again were in vogue after replacing Cruzados Novos . Finally another three zeros were reduced and the currency came to be known as Cruzeiros Reais. In 1994, with the implementation of the new financial plan, the new currency Real was launched. Thus after a long time the currency of Brazil was stabilized.

1 Brazil real = 0.578035 U.S. dollars

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People of Brazil: Population:

Brazil is the most populous country in Latin America, as well as one of the most populous in the world. The population of Brazil in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 178,470,000, which placed it as number 5 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 6% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 30% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 97 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 20002005 is 1.24%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 201,970,000. The population density in 2002 was 20 per sq km (53 per sq mi). The capital city, Brasilia, had a population of 1,949,000 in that 2002. Other major metropolitan areas and their estimated populations are as follows: Sao Paulo, 17,711,000; Rio de Janeiro, 10,556,000; Belo Horizonte, 4,160,000; Porto Alegre, 3,699,000; Recife, 3,307,000; Salvador, 3,180,000; Fortaleza, 3,007,000; Curitiba, 2,519,000; Campinas, 1,857,000; Belem, 1,634,000; Manaus, 1,432,000; Santos, 1,257,000; Goiania, 1,103,000; Sao Luis, 948,000; and Sao Jose dos Campos, 949,000. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 20002005 was 1.8%. The southeast of the country is the most populated area. The majority of people live near the coastal regions. The vast interior of the country is sparsely populated, with the indigenous population somewhat concentrated near the Amazon River Basin.

Color/race (2008)

Black 7%

Yellow 1%

Amerindia n 0%

brown 44%

White 48%

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Languages being spoken in Brazil:

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, and is spoken by virtually all the population, being virtually the only language used in schools, newspapers, radio and TV, and used for all business and administrative purposes. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas, giving it a national culture distinct from its Spanish-speaking neighbors. Due to this, the language is somewhat different from that spoken in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries, mainly due to phonological differences, of similar importance to the differences between U.S. English and British English.

Religion:
The 2000 census indicates that about 74% of the population are affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. Protestants constitute roughly 15% of the population, the majority of whom (about 85%) are Pentecostal/evangelical; Lutherans and Baptists account for most of the remaining Protestants. The Assembly of God and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God are also represented. About 427,000 respondents to the census are members of oriental religions, which include several branches of Buddhism, Messianism, Seicho No-le, Perfect Liberty, Hare Krishna, Oshoo Disciples, Tenrykyo, Mahicari, Baha'i, Shintoism, and Taoism. There are about 500,000 Muslims, primarily of the Sunni and Shi'a branches. About 100,000 Brazilians are Jewish. Followers of Spiritism and traditional African and syncretic religions make up about 4% of the populace. Candomble, which focuses on traditional African deities, is a predominant religion among Afro-Brazilians. Xango and Macumba include practices of animism as well as the veneration of Catholic saints and African deities. In Brazil today, there is a diversity of religions. One may go as far as saying that Brazil is multi-religious! In the 18th century Brazil's official religion was the Roman Catholic Religion. This was due to the Portuguese people who were the first settlers and conquerors from Europe. Later as the Portuguese brought slaves from Africa to work on the plantations, the religion started to take on a different look. Even though the slaves were forbidden to practice their religions they managed to maintain their beliefs and doctrines. Since 1889 when the Brazilian Constitution was set forth, Brazil ceased to have an official religion. The Constitution guarantees absolute freedom of religion.

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Most of Brazil's population claims to be Roman Catholic, however, there are many other religious denominations in Brazil. Some of these churches are the: Protestant, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. There are over a million and a half Spiritists or Kardescists who follow the doctrines of Allan Kardec. These Spiritists believe in reincarnation. There are followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; small minorities of Jews; Moslems, Buddhists and numerous followers of Candomble and Umbanda. Candomble is a religion that was brought to Brazil by slaves from Nigeria. Today, Catholicism and Candomble both are practiced by many people. In the early 18th century the slaves were seen as heathens to be assimilated by their Catholic masters into the Catholic religion. Slaves were forbidden to practice Candomble. To maintain their religion , slaves coupled their deities with important religious personalities in the Catholic religion. This way the slave masters were happy that their slaves were celebrating and honoring the same religious figures they were. For example Oxala, a male God of procreation and harvest was identified with Jesus. Throughout the year, the two religions had corresponding festivals. The masters were convinced that their slaves were being assimilated. The Catholic church had noticed minor discrepancies, but allowed the two religions to work side by side in hopes that one day Candomble would diminish totally. This however was not the case. Candomble is widely practiced throughout Brazil today. Umbanda, a religion derived from Candomble coupled with Christianity and Spiritist beliefs found in Kardecism is also widely practiced.

Christ the Redeemer (Statue of Jesus Christ peace be upon him):

*All above images Have been taken From tourbrazil.com

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Facts about the statue: Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world.[1] The statue is 39.6 meters (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 meter (31 feet) pedestal, and 30 meters (98 ft) wide. It weighs 635 tons (700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700 meters (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is one of the tallest of its kind in the world.

History of the Statue:

The idea for erecting a large statue atop Corcovado was first suggested in the mid-1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument. Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea and it was completely dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a republic with laws mandating the separation of church and state. The second proposal for a landmark statue on the mountain was made in 1921 by the Catholic Circle of Rio.[6] The group organized an event called Semana do Monumento ("Monument Week") to attract donations and collect signatures to support the building of the statue. The donations came mostly from Catholics. The designs considered for the "Statue of the Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world. The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms was chosen.

New Seven Wonders of the World:

On 7 July 2007, Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a list compiled by the Swiss-based The New Open World Corporation. Leading corporate sponsors, including Banco Bradesco and Rede Globo, put large sums of money in the effort to have the statue voted into the top seven.

Holidays:

Holidays (National+ public) & Festivals in Brazil: Date

Jan 1

Location
Rio de Janeiro

Description
Ano Novo This is celebrated all over the world, but the biggest party is in Rio where nearly 2 million people gather at Copacabana Beach to party. The events start on December 31 and continue into the morning of January 1. There are live music venues and fireworks as well as Candomble ceremonies. More.. Three Kings Festival. The city celebrates the nativity with a procession on the coast and events near the Praca da Se. Festival of the Good Lord Jesus of the Seafarers. On the first Sunday of the year, the city of Salvador feasts and organizes a processional of hundreds of small sea

Jan 6 Jan

Salvador Salvador

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Jan

Salvador

Jan 20 Feb Feb

Rio Rio de Janeiro & Salvador Brazil-wide

Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar 12 Apr 16-21 May June 13-14.

Brazil-wide Nova Jerusalem Sao Paulo Salvador Amazon Brazil-wide Brazil-wide Everywhere

June June June 10 June 13 June 24 June 29

Petropolis Sao Paulo Salvador Salvador Salvador Salvador

vessels. Washing of the Steps of Bonfim ChurchOn the 3rd Thursday of January, this holiday is celebrated exclusively in Salvador and is one of the most important religious ceremonies in the region. Hundreds of women in traditional Bahian clothing gather around the church to wash its steps. Saint Sebastian Day This is a huge party in honor of the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro. Carnaval 40 days before lent, usually in late February, the enormous celebration of Carnaval happens in Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil. More.. Festa de Lemanja This festival occurs all over Brazil. Beginning with fireworks at five am, this festival honors the Yoruban goddess of the salt waters. People offer flowers and jewelry to the sea. The largest celebration is in Salvador on Praia Vermelha. Easter Weekend (Semana Santa) This important Catholic holiday is celebrated all over Brazil with processions and concerts. Passion Play Ten days after Easter, South America's largest passion play takes place in Nova Jerusalem, just outside of Recife in Brazil's Northeast. Formula 1 Gran Prix The last weekend in March or April, the city of Sao Paulo hosts this international racing event annually. PercPan A percussion festival where a number of Brazilian music sensations perform along with Brazilian percussion groups. Festa de Sao Jose The city of Macapa features a weeklong celebration honoring the city's patron saint. Ends on March 19th. Tiradentes This is a national holiday with celebrations and events taking place all over Brazil. Festa do Divino Epirito Santo The whole country celebrates a religious festival by giving alms to the poor, processionals, and folklore festivals. Festas Juninas This harvest festival is celebrated all over Brazil. It is very family oriented with music, bonfires, and fairs in honor of the saints Anthony, John, and Peter. Bauernfest In the last weekend of June and the first week of July, this village celebrates its German heritage with a German food and music. Carlton Dance Festival A dance festival in the metropolis. Corpus Christi A festival in the Pelourinho district. Festa de Santo Antonio Celebrates the patron saint of matrimony. Sao Jaoa (Saint John) A harvest festival featuring forro music and dancing. Festa de Sao Pedro (Saint Peter) A festival honoring the patron saint of widows and fishermen.

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July 2 July Sept 7 Sept 27 Oct

Salvador Ilhabela Brazil-wide Salvador Sao Paulo

Dec 4

Salvador

Dec 24

Brazil-wise

Bahian Independence Day A huge party Salvador style in Campo Grande. Sailing Festival Boat lovers won't want to miss the largest sailing event in Brazil, which takes place off the coast of Sao Paulo. Brazilian Independence Day This is Brazil's national holiday and is celebrated all over the country. Rio hosts the biggest party around the Avenida Rio Branco. Sao Cosme e Sao Damiao In honor of two Arab saints and caruru is served, a traditional stew. Sao Cosme e Sao Damiao This huge art event is celebrated every year in Ibirapuera Park and features the best Art, theater, music, and architecture that Sao Paulo has to offer. Santa Barbara This festival honors the saint Barbara, whose is the Candomble equivalent of Iansa, the goddess of the wind. It is a huge party with food and music. Christmas Eve Brazilians attend midnight Mass all over the country to celebrate.

Life style
Food:
Generally depend on nutritious food than apparently sumptuous dishes. They have specified choice for breakfast, lunch and dinners which do not vary a lot from the major North American dishes.

Breakfast
Brazilian prefer simple breakfast comprising of coffee, milk, bread and jam, sometimes cheese and ham, with fresh fruit also. There may be mangoes, papayas, watermelons and avocado cream in addition to all those. The side dishes may vary with the city you are dwelling in.

Brazil, Lunch & Dinner

Irrespective of the venue that is, home or restaurant, meals are not just a time to eat, but also to share jovial moments with family friends and associates. The "family" meals are something one should opt for. Either for lunch or dinner, Brazil abounds in wonderful, inexpensive restaurants where home meals are dispatched on order in terms of weight of the food. Drinks and desserts are also available in most Brazilian restaurant. Dinner is generally served at a delayed time than in the U.S. Many Brazilian may prefer a lighter meal of coffee bread, cheese and cold cuts in dinner time.

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 The national dish of Brazil is called Feijoada. It contains black beans, pork sausage, tripe
(stomach of cow or other cud-chewing animal), spices, and greens, and is served with rice. It's possible to eat these every day and in some regions it's hard not to.

Brazilians also use farinha as a condiment. This is made from the root of cassava, or manioc, a
tropical plant that is native to Brazil. When it is cooked and dried, people sprinkle it on soups, meat, and stews and use it as flour in bread and puddings.

Every region of Brazil has its own special foods. Charque (dried and salted beef) is traditional in
southern Brazil. In the Northeast and along the Amazon River, fish dishes are popular. The cowboys of the southern grasslands eat a form of barbecued beef. Oranges, pineapples, bananas, papayas, mangos, and other varieties of tropical fruit are plentiful and popular.

Coffee is Brazil's main beverage. Brazilians like to drink cafezinhos, tiny cups of sweet,
steaming hot coffee several times a day. Another beverage is mat, an herbal tea. It is sometimes served in a hollowed-out gourd and drunk with a straw.

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National game of brazil:

Football is the national game of brazil and also one of the most played game on the streets of brazilThe National Team has won the FIFA World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 [1] and is the only team to succeed in qualifying for every World Cup competition ever held, and to be among the favorites to win the trophy every time the competition is scheduled. Pel, one of the most recognized footballers in history, led Brazil to three of those championships and is the top scorer of all time in the sport. After Brazil won its third World Cup, they kept the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. All of the contemporary talents in the national team prominent in the football world include Robinho, Ronaldinho, and Kak, as well as Marta in the women's game. Some of these players can be considered super-stars, achieving celebrity status internationally and signing sports contracts, as well as advertisement and endorsement contracts, in the value of millions of euros.

Position Of The Family:

The dominant social representation of family in Brazil is the traditional family, comprised of a couple and their children, with an emphasis on the psychological and emotional bond. Another important characteristic is the connection with extended families: Although the individuality of the couple is respected, spouses are expected to maintain close ties with families of origin. Family life in Brazil underwent major changes during the last three decades of the twentieth century. More diverse and complex forms emerged. The number of dual-worker, single-parent, and remarried families increased. Regardless of social class, families became smaller. On the

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political level, movements to increase democracy and build citizenship raised feminist consciousness. Women have entered the work force and are seeking better education and equality in the workplace. Dual-career and dual-worker marriages have become common in urban areas. In the capital city, Brasilia, a vast number of man and women are employed full-time in public offices and in the administrative service sector. Approximately five hundred men and women living in this area participated in a study regarding dualcareer/dual-worker marriages. Men and women in the study agreed that work allows women to enjoy greater independence and freedom. Women felt that the burden of traditional role expectations exacerbated work stress; they continue to be responsible for the majority of domestic activities. However, 35 percent of the men said that they perform approximately half or more of the household tasks. Men and women are happy with their marriages and are willing to make efforts for the relationship to work.

Models of family organization:

There is not a single model of family organization in Brazilian society. The first one described here is that from the family of African origin. The Africans who were taken to Brazil from 1500 to 1850 (i.e., from its discovery until the end of the slave trade) came from several African cultural groups representing various types of family organizations - matriarchal, patriarchal, polygamous etc. Moreover, these had large differences in religion, language and tradition. Living and working in Brazil, the "slave family" was more affected by politicalinstitutional forces than cultural factors. For example, the sale of slaves from their "owners" caused the separation of couples, parents, and their offspring. Today, this pattern of loose family bonds can be seen in the low-income classes of African origin, mainly in families from the states of the Northeast of the country. The second model of family, the traditional family, was characterized by a patriarchal system formed by people of Iberian origin. According to Romanelli (2000), the model of a Brazilian contemporary family includes a hierarchical structure, with husband/father exerting authority and power over the wife and children, a work division separating 'masculine' from 'feminine' tasks, and attribution and the bigger proximity between the mother and the children. The contemporary family has been influenced by deep demographic, economic, and social changes, particularly since the 1940s, as discussed below. These factors have resulted in changes in their structural relations and in the redefinition of the traditional model of the nuclear family. For example, in 1990, this model represented only 61% of homes in Brazil and the average number of persons per family was 4.1, both in urban and rural areas. It is important to stress that differences between regions are noticeable. For instance, families from the North and Northeast regions have the largest families in the country (4.5) with 2.5 children per family whereas the figures from the Southeast region are 3.9 and 1.9, respectively.

Attitudes of Brazilians:
A Brazilian household usually consists of parents and children. However, the group is not isolated from other family members, similar to western society. The children in a Brazilian family remain close with their parents, and usually live with them until they are married. Additionally, after children are married they still usually remain a relatively close distance to their family.

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Relationship with extended families:

Brazilians have very strong relationships with their extended family members. Extended family members often live very close to one another and interact regularly. The interaction among the groups is usually weekly, but could be as regularly as daily.

Effect on business:
Brazilians attitudes towards family affect their actions in business. Due to their close relationships with family members and desire to be close to each other they are more likely to consult family members on job decisions. Additionally, a Brazilian is more likely to consider how a business decision will affect his/her family.

Brazilian behaviors:

Make appointments at least two weeks in advance. Never try to make impromptu calls at business or government offices Be prepared to commit long term resources (both in time and money) toward establishing strong relationships in Brazil. This is the key to business success Never start into business discussions before your host does. Business meetings normally begin with casual 'chatting' first Midday the normal time for the main meal. A light meal is common at night, unless entertaining formally American coffee is a mere shadow of Brazilian coffee. Expect to be served small cups of very strong coffee If entertained in the home, it is polite to send flowers to the hostess the next day, with a thankyou note. Giving a gift is not required at a first business meeting; instead buy lunch or dinner Purple flowers are extensively used at funerals, so be cautious when giving someone purple flowers. Violets are OK to give.

Brazils Society:
In the recent years Brazils economic success has not been reflected into social development .Poverty, urban violence, growing social security debts, inefficient public services, and the low value of the minimum wage are some of the main social issues that currently challenge the Brazilian government. Brazils economic inequality is partially responsible for the high rate of poverty in the country. In many areas of Brazil education, health, and security are inadequate. Corruption is widespread throughout the country. Brazil is currently ranked 70th on the Human Development Index.

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Business Hours:
Offices: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Banks: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Government: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Retail: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m to 1 p.m Shopping centers: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cultural Customs Methods of Greeting One Another In Brazil:

Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other.

Ways of greeting in Brazil:

Brazilians are generally very warm and informal concerning greetings. They usually call everyone by his/her first name and do not use last names as much as other cultures do. When they first meet a person of the opposite gender, they greet with two or three kisses on the cheek (women also greet each other in this way). Men shake hands and sometimes give each other two pats on your shoulder. Brazilians like to hug their friends often--this body contact means that they are receptive to kindness, affection and consideration.

Non-Verbal Behavior:
Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, body posture and motions, and positioning within groups. It may also include the way we wear our clothes or the silence we keep. There are many nonverbal ways of greeting in Brazil.

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 When two friends in Brazil say hello they often hug and backslap. When the men of Brazil greet each other, they shake hands however do not maintain eye contact. Usually these handshakes will last for a long time. Brazilian is talking to someone of a different status or age e.g. younger or less powerful person will look away. When leaving a small group of Brazilian people, it is important that you shake hands with everyone in the group. Women on the other hand will kiss each other on the cheeks, starting with the left cheek. Women also kiss when they are about to leave. When a man kisses a woman as a greeting, he generally only kisses one cheek. When a woman greets a man and wants to shake hands, she is expected to extend her hand first.

When speaking, Brazilians stand very close to each other. If they accidentally brush or bump each other, they do not apologize. They tend to have a lot of physical contact when speaking with each other. If one person backs away, it will hurt the other persons feelings. There are many common friendly gestures in Brazil. One is the thumbs up gesture, which is also popular in America. In Brazil it is meant to mean good or positive. When a Brazilian wants to express appreciation, they pinch their earlobe between their thumb and forefinger. To invoke bad luck Brazil, it means that they do not know the answer to a question. When two people are close to each other, they will show it by rubbing two index fingers together. Sometimes nonverbal communication can be very different than what is expected in other countries. One example is the O.K. symbol one can make with their hands. It is regarded as just meaning O.K. in the American culture. In Brazil however, this is seen as a very obscene gesture. It is equivalent to giving the middle finger in America. This is seen as one of the rudest gestures you can make in Brazil and should always be avoided. Another obscene hand gesture is called the corna which historically means your wife is cheating on you. It is popular in Brazil and is often used when disagreeing with a football referee. One gesture that is also used is one to say screw you. It s consists of making a fist with one hand and slapping it on top of the other hand once or twice. It is used commonly around Brazilian friends but can be rude if used any other time. These are gestures someone should avoid when visiting and doing business in Brazil. Following are some other gestures of Brazilians: Physical appearance and physical surroundings are important and provide visual cues as to

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status and tone of conversations. For example, dressing in black is usually a sign of mourning. Brazilian has relaxed attitude towards time. Tardiness and/or a last minute change of plans are common. (Things will get done.) Touching is common. Kissing on both cheeks is common among family members, relatives, and friends. Handshaking, kissing, hugging, patting, embracing and holdings hands are common forms of greeting. Avoiding eye-to-eye contact shows respect. Students usually greet teachers with a kiss on both cheeks. Young children may address the teacher as, Tia (Aunt). Personal space and physical space are not emphasized. For example, a person will stand less than a foot away from the other when conversing.

Words And Pharases:

Brazilian people use some different words and expressions, and the pronunciation is very different. Portuguese people tend to speak faster and swallow some vowels, while Brazilians have lots of different accents with many African and indigenous expressions. For example: Anteater in Portugal is called "papaformigas" (literally "ant eater", while in Brazil it's called "tamandu", an indiginous word for the animal. Nevertheless, if you speak slowly, no matter which accent are you Hello: Ol (With an open A, ah... The O is pronounced like in Spanish, also open.) Goodbye: Adeus (Again, open A. The E is pronounced like in French. This word is great because it can be formal or not, and it's easy to say.) Father: Pai Mother: Tmae (Mum: Mae

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References
www.communicaid.com www.prospects.ac.uk/cms www.worldbusinessculture.com www.everyculture.com www.infopleas www.v-brazil.com/governmente.com www.presidencia.gov.br/ingles/

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