Brazil ... A couple of decades ago, this country was associated with the Russians exclusively with TV shows and coffee. Now, little has changed, except for the addition of carnivals and football. This state is part of Latin America and is the largest in area and population.
The country received independent status in 1822. At the moment, it has good economic potential. Developed agriculture, mining, manufacturing. In terms of development, the Brazilian economy is significantly superior to other South American countries.
Unfortunately, this state is located quite far away, so most of the inhabitants of Russia can only dream of traveling to vibrant and exotic Brazil. In addition, such a trip will cost a lot.
If you are also interested in this country, pay attention to our article. Below is a list of interesting facts about Brazil. You can plunge into its atmosphere for a short while and learn a lot of new things.
10. The name received in honor of the mythical island.
The country is named after the island of the blessed, which exists in Irish mythology. The first mention of it is dated by the Early Middle Ages. It is a paradise, an overseas country, which is located at the edge of the world. This is not the only version of the origin of the name.
There is an assumption that it is formed from the phrase "pau-brasi", Which is translated from Portuguese means"red wood". After colonization, the Portuguese mined spiked caesalpinia here, and then exported it to Europe.
9. When married, Brazilians have a double surname
Brazilians will not have to answer a difficult question before marriage: take the name of the husband or leave your own. After the wedding, they become owners of a double surname. The order is as follows: first name of father, second - spouse.
All Brazilian names have a complex structure that is completely incomprehensible to foreigners. Children born in marriage also receive the surname of father and mother. In this case, they are located in a different way: 1st mother, 2nd - father.
The main part is the last part of the last name. It is used for personal use and in other cases (for example, if you want to indicate authorship). When a woman gets married, she loses her mother’s surname, her husband’s surname is used instead.
8. The architect designed the capital in the form of a butterfly aerial view
Brazilian politician Juscelino Kubitschek promised residents that if they elect him as president, he will build a new capital as soon as possible. He fulfilled his promise, three years later a new city appeared called Brasilia.
The project was prepared by architect Lucio Costa. He dreamed of building a city in the form of a butterfly.. If you look at Brasilia from a bird's eye view, you can see something similar.
True, not everyone agrees with this statement. Most believe that the city is built in the form of a bird. The head is legal buildings, the body is public and administrative buildings, the wings are residential buildings.
7. Same-sex marriage is officially permitted in the country
In 2011, the country's Supreme Court put forward the idea that gay marriage does not contradict the Constitution, and non-traditional couples have no rights.
Although a request for the legalization of same-sex marriage was sent back in 2009, official permission was received only in May 2013. From this moment gay people can marry, adopt children and enjoy all the rights that are available to traditional couples.
6. Toilets have cabins for transgender people
In 2005, a bill was passed that obliged large shopping centers, nightclubs and similar establishments to provide transvestites with toilets.
This happened after a big holiday - the samba festival. This event attracted the attention of many transvestites, but they had a problem with going to the toilet. Men showed discontent, women felt uncomfortable. Now in public toilets you can see the booths marked with the letter "T", they can only use transvestites.
5. About ¾ of the population are passionate about football
Brazil is called the strongest football power. Residents of the country are ready to take part in this team game at any time of the day or night. Brazilian football teams are the strongest, players are not in vain called "magicians of the ball».
They won the World Championships five times. This is a very high indicator, no one else managed to reach such peaks. Not only professionals, but also amateurs are interested in football. Each city has at least one stadium.
4. Country producing sugarcane fuel
Sugarcane cultivation has long been practiced in Brazil.. As early as 1530, small sugar refineries began to operate in the country.
Brazil is now a leader in the supply of sugar to other countries. But progress does not stand still, and now ... fuel is produced from this culture.
Bioethanol is a technical alcohol that is used to refuel aircraft and cars. This is a cost-effective production, it can also be called environmentally friendly. Bioethanol is much less harmful than conventional gasoline.
3. In Rio de Janeiro at night it is allowed to drive a red traffic light
In Rio de Janeiro it is allowed to drive a red traffic light from 22.00 to 5.00. In 2005, a corresponding law was passed. It was introduced for a reason.
In Rio de Janeiro, the situation is not very calm, and in the past, car robberies were quite commonplace. As soon as the driver stopped at a traffic light, he was attacked. Ambush at the crossroads did not surprise anyone. Now the situation has returned to normal, and drivers can no longer worry about their safety.
2. Second place in the world in the number of airports in the country
In 2013, a rating of countries by the number of airports was compiled. The first place was taken by the USA, the second went to Brazil. The big gap is 4,090 against 13,513 airports.
The largest airports in the country are considered to be International in São Paulo, Congonhas, the airport in Rio de Janeiro.
There are companies that operate flights within the country. Very convenient, especially for travelers who want to see as much as possible in a short time. Again, the prices cannot be called low-cost, tickets are expensive, but you can buy one for 4 trips.
1. First place in the world for the diversity of primates and freshwater fish
Brazil ranks first in diversity of primates. A lot of wild monkeys live here: tamarines, saki, common marmosets, marmosets, etc. 77 species are distinguished. You can not worry, they do not run through the streets. This is nothing more than a myth, as well as with bears in Russia.
Interesting fact: locals respect monkeys. In the winter of 2011 there was an interesting case. In winter, temperatures reached critical points unusual for this area. Monkeys in the zoo began to freeze. Workers gave them blankets. At first, monkeys, in particular orangutans, took bedding for new toys, but then they appreciated all the charms of the blankets. Many then worried about wild monkeys, but workers in this area reassured the inhabitants of the country. They said that animals will be able to adapt to any weather conditions.
Brazil is not only rich in primates, it is a leader in the number of freshwater fish species.. It's simple: a significant part of the country is occupied by rivers and lakes. The largest river is the Amazon. The variety of species is amazing - there are about 3 thousand in all.