Greetings,
The time is here and with less than 6 hours left 'til our bi-annual travel departure to Brazil, we wanted to say Bon Voyage & Safe Travels to the Funky People family! The travel group is headed down this weekend to enjoy an energy-filled weekend in Rio de Janiero! As usual, our travelers will try to cover as much ground as possible and mingle with the people of this incredible country (saving sleep time only for the plane ride, lol). We're looking forward to posting some great pics shortly.
In parting we want to drop you a few factoids about Brazil & Rio now that it will be the site of the 2016 Olympic Games. And, cause it's one of our favorite places too....Enjoy!
FACTS ABOUT BRAZIL
#1: The country of Brazil was named after the wood, "Brazil wood", that was found in abundance in the Bahian region of the country in the 16th century. Brazil wood and sugar were the basis of the country's founding economy. Today the major exports of Brazil are: coffee, aircraft, automobiles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, ethanol, textiles, footwear, corned beef and electrical equipment.
#2: Brazil has been a Colony, an Empire, a Republic and has been under the Military rule. It is today the 5th largest democratic nation in the world.
#3: Although Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery in 1888; African culture survived in Brazil more so than in the US, because Portuguese law in the 1500s prohibited the separation of slave families. (hence the term "Afro-Brazilian").
#4: Brazil has largest Latin American population in the world - 189 million. The largest Japanese community outside of Japan lives in Brazil.
#5: Today, the biggest population of African descendents and people outside of the continent of Africa resides in Brazil! (The USA has second largest total.)
#6: The full city and state name of Rio is: San Sebastian de Rio de Janiero, Rio de Janiero. The famous port city was Brazil's capitol up until 1960, when Brasilia was named.
#7: Rio de Janiero is the second largest city in Brazil with after Sao Paulo. The greater metropolitan area of Rio has over 14 million people. Locals that are born and raised in Rio, often refer to themselves as "cariocas".
#8: Rio has 50 km of beaches spread out along the coast of the state. The world's largest beach party concert was held on the famed Copacabana Beach - Rolling Stones, Feb 2006 - 1.5 million people. Rio also holds the world record for the largest concert ever held - Rod Stewart, 1994 -3.5 million people. Yes, the really do know how to party in Rio!
#9: Rio's most famous landmark and symbolic icon of Brazil is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor), was erected in 1922, and stands atop Corcovado Mountain at height of over 2300 feet above the city. It is the largest art-deco statue of its kind and a symbol of Christianity.
#10: And we bet you did not know.... That the combination of Indian, African, European, Asian, and Latin descendents makes Brazil an exotic country with rich heritage and religion. Even though Catholicism is the official religion, many have two religious tables in their homes, following the African candomble religion and Christian icons.
We look forward to seeing you on the next Funky People vacation trip!! The next Brazil trip will be scheduled for 2011, but first watch for the next big travel update real soon. The dates and destinations for the 2010 vacation trips are almost ready. As always, you will love where we're headed ......Be ready!
Press for Brazil Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go
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