Returned Peace Corps Volunteers International Calendar

Brazil

Republica Federativa do Brasil
In Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; mostly flat to rolling lowlands in North; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt. 8,514,877 km² (slightly < US), 7% arable.

Capital Brasilia (pop est. 2.6M)
Population 198.7M (23.3/km²)
Life expectancy 72 years
HIV/AIDS 0.6%
Literacy 89%
Lang(s) Portuguese, and a large number of Amerindian languages
Religions Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 15%, Spiritualist 1%
Ethnic Groups White 54%, Mulatto 39%, Black 6%
Gov’t Federal Republic
GDP/cap $10,200
PCVs 11961 – 1981; health and education (4,150 volunteers served)
Nat’l holiday Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

Focus word for 2011 - "Celebration"

Portuguese: Celebração (sell-ah-bra-sewn)

Books

The Brazilians
by Joseph A. Page
Book Description
Vast in area, rich in resources and uniquely integrated in racial composition, here is Brazil in all its beauty, contradictions, promises and disappointments. Idealistic and pragmatic, exuberant and passive, its people have survived colonialism, slavery, dictatorships and populism and now struggle toward a viable capitalism in a society characterized by extremes of wealth and poverty.

Kids' Books

From another world
Ana Maria Machado; translated by Luisa Baeta; with illustrations by Lucia Brandao
Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2005.
Ages 9 to 12.

Music

Fresno
Redencao
Music from Brazil

Films

City of God (Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, 2002)

Recipes

Feijoada/Bean Stew with rice and pork
Cairpirinha/Cocktail