About Billiard

Government: Federal Republic, consisting of 26 states and a Federal District, with elected president and bicameral legislature and supreme court with justices appointed by president and confirmed by legislature. Similar structure on state and municipal levels.

Date of Independence: Sept. 7, 1822 (from Portugal).

Climate: Mostly tropical, temperate in south,

Highest elevation: Pico da Neblina, 3,014 m (9888 ft).

History

The Lonely Planet Guide:
History of Brazil

The first landing by Europeans was in the year 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral, at what is now the city of Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia. His voyage was soon followed by other Portuguese explorers. At the time, the most important exploitable resource was a type of wood used to produce red and purple dyes, called pau-brasil. It was from the name of this wood that the country eventually got its name.

In 1530, Portugal sent the first actual colonists to the newly discovered territory, and before long villages that eventually became the cities of São Vicente and Salvador were founded. As more and more land was settled, the Portuguese government began to realize the need for organized administration. As a first step, by the middle of the 16th century the Crown created a number of hereditary fiefs, some larger than Portugal itself.

In 1578, when King Sebastian of Portugal died, King Philip II of Spain claimed the Portuguese throne, and for a period of 60 years the two countries were united as one. As a result, during this period the boundaries in South America that had previously prevented Portuguese expansion were removed, and during this time what eventually became the nation of Brazil expanded westward.

After Portugal freed itself from Spanish rule in 1640, the Portuguese succeeded in establishing their claim to what had formerly been Spanish territory in South America.

In 1690, gold was discovered. Not only did this discovery draw thousands of colonists away from the coastal regions, but it also spurred immigration. Most of the gold was shipped to Portugal, but it did not all remain there. In the early 1700s England supplied textile products to Portugal, which were paid for with Brazilian gold. This very same gold ended up helping to finance the Industrial Revolution.

Eventually, the gold rush was followed by an even more important source of wealth—coffee. Even today, Brazilian coffee is recognized as being among the world's best. And in Brazil itself, in just about any place of business you enter you will be offered cafezinho, small cups of strong, sweet espresso that has literally become a national symbol.

During the Napoleonic wars in Europe, the king of Portugal, Dom João VI, sailed for Brazil and made Rio de Janeiro the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve. Later, when he returned to Portugal, he left his son Pedro behind to rule the colony. In 1822, Dom Pedro I pulled out his sword and cried, "Independência ou morte!" (independence or death). Portugal, too weak at the time for a fight, did not contest the matter, and so Brazil became an independent empire.

In 1889 a military coup, supported by powerful members of the coffee aristocracy, overthrew the Brazilian Empire and founded the modern Republic of Brazil. For the next 40 years Brazil was ruled by a series of military and civilian presidents.

In 1930 the military assumed direct power after global economic crises weakened the coffee planters' hold on power. They installed Getúlio Vargas as president, and his regime dominated until 1954 when Juscelino Kubitschek assumed the office. Kubitschek is perhaps best known for building Brasília, a totally planned city which became the national capital.

In 1964 the military again took power and ruled the country until 1989, when the current constitution was put in place and a new civilian president elected. The first president, Fernando Collor de Mello, did not complete his term of office. He was impeached at the end of 1992 and peaceably removed from office and succeeded by the vice president, Itamar Franco. In the election of 1994, Fernando Enrique Cardoso was elected president, then re-elected again in 1998. In 2002, the current president, Luis Ignácio Lula da Silva, was elected, and at the time of the construction of this web site is still in office.

The People

According to the 1980 census, the population of Brazil is 55% European descent, 38% mulatto, 6% African descent and 1% indigenous.

Although once a Portuguese colony, the culture of Brazil reflects far more than just Portuguese influence. Settlers from other parts of Europe, such as Germany and Italy, along with considerable numbers of Middle Eastern and Asian immigrants as well as the black and indigenous populations, have also lent their particular flavor. Brazil is truly a melting pot.

It is impossible to say that there is any one unique cultural identity that represents all Brazilians. Brazil is a large country and there is much regional diversity. Idiomatic expression, food, dress and much more vary across the country. Still, there is much nationally in common.

The staples of Brazilian diet are rice and beans with farinha (manioc flour), usually combined with meat, fish or poultry and vegetables. One popular dish, called feijoada, is almost a symbol of Brazilian food. It consists basically of beans, meat, and fiery spices. There are many varieties. Another very popular food type is the salgado. The term is actually a generic catch-all for a number of small snack-type items, usually consisting of some type of fried flour or bread containing meat, cheese, vegetables, etc. Salgados can be found at snack bars called lanchonetes, located just about anywhere, and are often sold on the street and in restaurants as well.

It is impossible to imagine Brazil without music. Some of the best known Brazilian varieties include the samba and the bossa nova. Samba is still immensely popular, and makes up a large part of Carnaval, a national Brazilian festival that comes from the same roots as Mardi Gras. In addition, there are many modes of modern Brazilian music, such as Musica Popular Brasileira (popular Brazilian Music), sertaneja, and more. Many Brazilian artists are internationally known.

Officially, Brazil is a Catholic country, the largest in the world. However, Protestant denominations are making large inroads among the population. Additionally, many non-Christian religions can be found in Brazil, including African cults and Eastern philosophies.

Lastly, it is impossible to talk about the people and culture of Brazil without mentioning soccer. Soccer, or futebol, as it is known here, is a national passion. Children learn to dribble soccer balls before they are old enough to begin school. Soccer fields are found everywhere, in the city and the country. Even indigenous Indian villages, whatever their differences, have one thing in common: a soccer field. During major matches, people light fireworks to celebrate goals, even if they're only watching on TV. And during the World Cup, which Brazil has won five times—more than any other country—the passion rises to a frenzy. And when Brazil wins the cup, it's party time!

The Indigenous People

Indigenous Peoples of Brazil

SIL Brazil - Indigenous Peoples

Brazil is home to a large number of indigenous peoples, from several diverse language families. These groups are quite diverse. They were here long before any European settlers came. Their cultures have influenced Brazilian culture, and many city and other place names are indigenous in origin.

Indigenous People

At one time the indigenous population of Brazil was much larger. Sadly, when Europeans came over they brought with them something that proved deadly to many of the native inhabitants of the Americas: disease. For example, measles nearly wiped out the Nambikuara people back in the 40's. Additionally, exploitation by white settlers has further served to decimate these people. Fortunately, things have changed, and these days the Brazilian government works to protect the indigenous population of the country.

Today, FUNAI (FUndação NAcional do Índio, or National Indian Foundation) is the principal governmental organization dedicated to protecting the indigenous people of Brazil. Organizations and individuals who wish to work with or even visit indigenous areas must have their permission. The entity with which I work, SIL Brazil, is such an organization. SIL has been working among the indigenous peoples of Brazil for more than forty-five years. During that time, our village workers have contributed much to the welfare of many of the groups, including in areas above and beyond literacy and translation of material of high cultural value. For example, when our workers first entered the Paumari, they were a small, dwindling group, with an infant mortality rate of over 50%. Basic education in simple practices for safe childbirth has drastically changed this, and today the population is over 700 and still growing.

Click here to learn more about our SIL center in Cuiabá.

The Language

The national language of Brazil is Portuguese. Sadly, a lot of people don't realize this and simply assume that because Brazil is located in South America they must speak Spanish. (And Brazil isn't the only non Spanish speaking country in South America. There are three more; one speaks French, another Dutch, and the third English!) I can still remember seeing an interview on television with someone sent down from the United States for some forgotten reason. The person spoke Spanish. At the time I remember wondering if Brazilians considered it an insult.

Portuguese is not "Spanish spoken badly", or "Spanish spoken through the nose" or "Spanish spoken with mashed potatoes in your mouth". Portuguese is a unique language. Like Spanish, it is a Romance language, descended from Latin, and is actually quite closely related. Native speakers of Portuguese have little trouble understanding Spanish. It is a bit more difficult going the other direction, though, because Portuguese introduces additional vowel sounds not present in Spanish.

Spanish vowels are a as in "father", e as in "grey", i as in "ski", o as in "go" and u as in "flu". Portuguese adds an "open" version of e and o, as in "bet" and "dog".

Learning the language is far more complicated than simply learning a vocabulary and a grammar. As I discovered in my studies of Brazilian Portuguese, it is impossible to master another language unless you also learn to understand the culture in which it is spoken. The two are closely interrelated. In order to learn Portuguese well it is necessary to live with the Brazilian people, to learn how they live and work and play.

Likes and Dislikes

Well, here is where it gets personal. After reading all the digestible facts above you may be wondering about my reaction to living in Brazil. Well, here are my personal feelings and reactions to some of the aspects of life down here. (If you want my feelings on a subject not mentioned, please contact me and I will either tell you or perhaps post it here.)

The People: That is a complicated subject. Overall, I like the people of Brazil. I find them generally friendlier and more tolerant of foreigners than Americans. I have been welcomed in homes and made to feel like part of the family. Dealing with customer service in stores is enjoyable; in most places I am offered cafezinho as a normal part of the routine. And if the store I am in doesn't have what I'm looking for, Brazilians are much more inclined to direct me to their competition than Americans are.

Still, people are people, no matter where you go. Individually, there are Brazilians I like very much, and individually there are some I simply can't stand. Just like there are some Americans I like very much, and some Americans I simply can't stand.

The Food: Except for the fact that they eat a lot of beans and rice here, Brazilian food is not at all like Mexican. Spices are different. Vegetables are different. Different but very good. There are restaurants called churrascarias, where for a fixed price you get to heap your own plate with whatever vegetables, rice, and other such things you like, and the waiters come around with long spits and carve you as much meat, from many different cuts, as you can stuff down your throat. I have to be careful to limit my visits to churrascarias in order to avoid gaining weight. There are also all-you-can-eat pizzerias (the pizza is different than American, but good), places where you pay for your food by weight (very popular here!), and much more.

The Climate: Ahh, here we come to the One Big Negative. I am a child of cooler climes, having grown up where the snow gets 2-3 feet deep in the winter. Even in Arizona the winters are pleasant, and there are mountains. The heat has admittedly been a hardship. Although Anápolis has proven to be better than Cuiabá or Porto Velho in this respect!

Internet Service: I don't know what it's like in all parts of Brazil, but here in Anápolis it is actually pretty good.

Travel: Let's face it; there aren't as many roads as there are in the U.S. To go out to Porto Velho there is only one way. Fortunately, it is paved. Unfortunately, it is not always in good condition. Fortunately, Brazilian bus lines are far superior to Greyhound or Trailways, and very affordable. Equally fortunately, there are a couple of Brazilian airlines that are in serious competition, and if you know when to look, you can find really cheap fares.

In the southwestern part of the country, however, roads are much better and, in places, almost as numerous as in the States. There are many ways to "get there from here". Again, bus service is excellent.

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