Brazil in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Portuguese Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Military, Religion, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Guiana Highlands, Amazon

These two unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Brazil, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

Brazil in Perspective - An Orientation Guide - GEOGRAPHY * Geographic Regions and Features * Guiana Highlands * Amazon Basin * Pantanal * Brazilian Highlands * Coastal Lowlands * Climate * Bodies of Water * Major Cities * Brasilia * Sao Paulo * Rio de Janeiro * Salvador * Manaus * Environmental Concerns * Destruction of the Rainforest * Pollution * Illegal Wildlife Trade * Natural Hazards * Pre-Colonial History * The Early Colonial Era * Colonial Expansion and Slavery * Independence * The Brazilian Empire and Republic * The Vargas Era (1930-1954) * The Republic After Vargas (1954-1964) * Military Rule (1964-1985) * Democracy and Reform * Recent Events * ECONOMY * Agriculture * Sugarcane and Ethanol * Coffee * Cattle Ranching * Industry * Energy * Oil * Natural Gas * Electricity * Nuclear * Trade * Transportation * Tourism * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living * Employment * Public vs. Private Sector Outlook * SOCIETY * Race and Ethnicity * Ethnic Background * Racial Categories and Relations * Language * Religion * Gender Issues * Cuisine * Arts * Capoeira * Sports * SECURITY * U.S.-Brazil Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Argentina * Paraguay * Uruguay * Bolivia * Peru * Colombia * Venezuela * The Guyanas * Ecuador and Chile * Military * Internal Security Forces * Issues Affecting Internal Stability * Violent Crime, Drugs, and Terrorism * Corruption and Human Rights Violations * Land Distribution and Reform * Water Security * Looking Forward

Portuguese (Brazil) Cultural Orientation - PROFILE * Introduction * Area * Geographic Regions and Features * Guiana Highlands * Amazon Basin * Brazilian Highlands * Pantanal * Coastal Lowlands * Climate * Rivers and Lakes * Major Cities * Brasilia * Sao Paulo * Rio de Janeiro * Salvador * Manaus * History * Pre-Colonial History * The Early Colonial Era * Colonial Expansion and Slavery * Independence * The Brazilian Monarchy * The Brazilian Republic * The Vargas Era (1930-1954) * The Post-Vargas Republic (1954-1964) * Military Rule (1964-1985) * Democracy and Economic Reform * Economy * Government * Media * Race and Ethnicity * Ethnic Background * Racial Categories and Relations * Languages * RELIGION * Introduction * Roman Catholicism * Historical Background * Catholicism in Brazil * Protestantism * Pentecostalism and Evangelism * Syncretism * Candomble * Umbanda and Quimbanda * Other Spiritual Practices * Samanism (Pajelanca) * Kardecism (Spiritism) * Religion and Government * Religion and Gender * Religion and Daily Life * Religious Events and Festivals * Christian Holidays and Festivals * Afro-Brazilian and Syncretic Festivals * Places of Worship * TRADITIONS * Introduction * Traditional Gender Roles and Relations * Futebol * Greetings and Interaction * Hospitality and Gift-Giving * Eating Habits * Food and Drink * Manners of Dress * Holidays and Festivals * Carnaval * Dos and Don'ts * URBAN LIFE * Introduction * Urban Conditions * Poverty and Slums * Crime and Corruption * Telecommunications * Healthcare * Education * Restaurants * Marketplaces * Transportation * RURAL LIFE * Introduction * Rural Economy * Land Distribution * Tribal Distribution * Local Administration * Healthcare * Education * Transportation * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * FAMILY LIFE * The Typical Household * Male and Female Interactions * Status of Elders, Adolescents, and Children * Elders * Adolescents * Children * Married Life, Childbirth, and Divorce * Married Life * Childbirth * Divorce * Social Events * Weddings * Funerals * Naming Conventions