OFFICIAL NAME:
Federative Republic of Brazil

Geography
Area: 8,511,965 sq. km. (3,290,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than the U.S.
Cities: Capital--Brasilia (pop. 2.1 million). Other cities--Sao
Paulo (17.9 million), Rio de Janeiro (10.7 million), Belo Horizonte
(2.6 million), Salvador (2.6 million), Fortaleza (2.1 million), Recife
(2.9 million), Porto Alegre (3 million), Curitiba (1.6 million).
Terrain: Dense forests in northern regions including Amazon Basin;
semiarid along northeast coast; mountains, hills, and rolling plains in
the southwest, including Mato Grosso; and coastal lowland.
Climate: Mostly tropical or semitropical with temperate zone in the south.

People
Nationality: Brazilian.
Population (2003 est.): 177 million.
Annual growth rate: 1.6%.
Ethnic groups: Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Arab, African, and indigenous people.
Religion: Roman Catholic (80%).
Language: Portuguese.
Education: Literacy--81% of adult population.
Health: Infant mortality rate--36/1,000. Life expectancy--63.5 yrs.
Work force: 79 million.

Government
Type: Federative republic.
Independence: September 7, 1822.
Constitution: Promulgated October 5, 1988.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government popularly elected to no more than two 4-year terms). Legislative--Senate (81 members popularly elected to 8-year terms), Chamber of Deputies (513 members popularly elected to 4-year terms). Judicial--Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 lifetime positions appointed by the president).
Political
parties: Workers Party (PT), Brazilian Democratic Movement Party
(PMDB), Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), Liberal Front Party
(PFL), Social Democratic Party (PSD), Democratic Workers Party (PDT),
Brazilian Labor Party (PTB), Liberal Party (PL), Brazilian Socialist
Party (PSB), Communist Party of Brazil (PC do B), Brazilian Progressive
Party (PPB) [Note: In early 2003, this party changed its name
to the Progressive Party (PP).], Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Green
Party (PV), the Social Liberal Party (PSL), the National Mobilization
Party (PMN), National Workers Party (PTN), Humanistic Solidarity Party
(PHS), and the Party of the Reedification of the National Order (PRONA).

Economy (2003)
GDP: $508.6 billion.
Annual real growth: 0.5%.
Per capita GDP: $2,840.
Natural
resources: Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gemstones,
oil, wood, and aluminum. Brazil has 12% of the world's fresh water.
Agriculture (9% of GDP): Products--coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, cocoa, rice, livestock, corn, oranges, cotton, wheat, and tobacco.
Industry (32% of GDP): Types--steel,
commercial aircraft, chemicals, petrochemicals, footwear, machinery,
motors, vehicles, auto parts, consumer durables, cement, and lumber.
Services (59% of GDP): Types--mail, telecommunications, banking, energy, commerce, and computing.
Trade: Trade balance 2003--$24.8 billion surplus. Exports--$73.1 billion. Major markets--European Union 24.8%, United States 23%, China 6.2%, Argentina 6.24%, and Mexico 3.75%. Imports--$48.3 billion. Major suppliers--European Union 26.29%, United States 19.82%, Argentina 9.68%, Japan 5.22%, and China 4.45%.

PEOPLE AND HISTORY  
With
its estimated 177 million inhabitants, Brazil has the largest
population in Latin America and ranks fifth in the world. The majority
of people live in the south-central area, which includes the industrial
cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Urban growth
has been rapid; by 2000, 78% of the total population were living in
urban areas. This growth has aided economic development but also has
created serious social, security, environmental, and political problems
for major cities.

Six
major groups make up the Brazilian population: the Portuguese, who
colonized Brazil in the 16th century; Africans brought to Brazil as
slaves; various other European, Middle Eastern, and Asian immigrant
groups who have settled in Brazil since the mid-19th century; and
indigenous peoples of Tupi and Guarani language stock. Intermarriage
between the Portuguese and indigenous people or slaves was common.
Although the major European ethnic stock of Brazil was originally
Portuguese, subsequent waves of immigration have contributed to a
diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

From
1875 until 1960, about 5 million Europeans immigrated to Brazil,
settling mainly in the four southern states of Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa
Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Immigrants have come mainly from
Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, Poland, and the Middle East. The largest
Japanese community outside Japan is in Sao Paulo. Despite class
distinctions, national identity is strong, and racial friction is a
relatively new phenomenon. Indigenous full-blooded Indians, located
mainly in the northern and western border regions and in the upper
Amazon Basin, constitute less than 1% of the population. Their numbers
are declining as contact with the outside world and commercial
expansion into the interior increase. Brazilian Government programs to
establish reservations and to provide other forms of assistance have
existed for years but are controversial and often ineffective.

Brazil
is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas. About 80% of
all Brazilians belong to the Roman Catholic Church; most others are
Protestant or follow practices derived from African religions.

Pedro
Alvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500. The colony was
ruled from Lisbon until 1808, when Dom Joao VI and the rest of the
Portuguese royal family fled from Napoleon's army, and established its
seat of government in Rio de Janeiro. Dom Joao VI returned to Portugal
in 1821. His son declared Brazil's independence on September 7, 1822,
and became emperor with the title of Dom Pedro I. His son, Dom Pedro
II, ruled from 1831 to 1889, when a federal republic was established in
a coup led by Deodoro da Fonseca, Marshal of the Army. Slavery had been
abolished a year earlier by the Regent Princess Isabel while Dom Pedro
II was in Europe.

From
1889 to 1930, the government was a constitutional democracy, with the
presidency alternating between the dominant states of Sao Paulo and
Minas Gerais. This period ended with a military coup that placed
Getulio Vargas, a civilian, in the presidency; Vargas remained as
dictator until 1945. Between 1945 and 1961, Jose Linhares, Gaspar
Dutra, Vargas himself, Café Filho, Carlos Luz, Nereu Ramos, Juscelino
Kubitschek, and Janio Quadros were elected presidents. When Quadros
resigned in 1961, Vice President Joao Goulart succeeded him.

Goulart's
years in office were marked by high inflation, economic stagnation, and
the increasing influence of radical political elements. The armed
forces, alarmed by these developments, staged a coup on March 31, 1964.
The coup leaders chose as president Humberto Castello Branco, followed
by Arthur da Costa e Silva (1967-69), Emilio Garrastazu Medici
(1968-74), and Ernesto Geisel (1974-79), all of whom were senior army
officers. Geisel began a democratic opening that was continued by his
successor, Gen. Joao Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo (1979-85).
Figueiredo not only permitted the return of politicians exiled or
banned from political activity during the 1960s and 1970s, but also
allowed them to run for state and federal offices in 1982.

At
the same time, an electoral college consisting of all members of
congress and six delegates chosen from each state continued to choose
the president. In January 1985, the electoral college voted Tancredo
Neves from the opposition Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB)
into office as President. However, Neves became ill in March and died a
month later. His Vice President, former Senator Jose Sarney, became
President upon Neves' death. Brazil completed its transition to a
popularly elected government in 1989, when Fernando Collor de Mello won
53% of the vote in the first direct presidential election in 29 years.
In 1992, a major corruption scandal led to his impeachment and ultimate
resignation. Vice President Itamar Franco took his place and governed
for the remainder of Collor's term culminating in the October 3, 1994,
presidential elections, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso was elected
President with 54% of the vote. Cardoso took office January 1, 1995,
and was re-elected in October 1998 for a second 4-year term. Luiz
Inacio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, was elected president in
2002, after his fourth campaign for the office.

President
Lula, a former union leader, is Brazil's first working-class president.
He pledged social change and promised to eradicate hunger. Investors
remembered his radical rhetoric of the past, and feared his election.
As it became more apparent he would win, the Brazilian currency
weakened, and Brazil's country-risk rating skyrocketed. In the months
after his election, however, he took a conservative fiscal path,
warning that social reforms would take years and that Brazil had no
alternative but to extend fiscal austerity policies. The Real recovered dramatically. At the same time, Lula raised the minimum wage from 200 to 240 Reals
per month, and stressed his "Zero Hunger" initiative, designed to give
each Brazilian three meals a day.  By the end of 2003, key
legislation to reform the nation's public sector pension system and to
overhaul its tax system had passed Congress, though follow-on
legislation still needs to be passed in 2004.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Brazil
is a federal republic with 26 states and a federal district. The 1988
constitution grants broad powers to the federal government, made up of
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president holds
office for 4 years, with the right to re-election for an additional
4-year term, and appoints his own cabinet. There are 81 senators, three
for each state and the Federal District, and 513 deputies. Senate terms
are 8 years, staggered so that two-thirds of the upper house is up for
election at one time and one-third 4 years later. Chamber terms are 4
years, with elections based on a complex system of proportional
representation by states. Each state is eligible for a minimum of 8
seats; the largest state delegation (Sao Paulo's) is capped at 70
seats. This system is weighted in favor of geographically large but
sparsely populated states.

Fifteen
political parties are represented in Congress. Since it is common for
politicians to switch parties, the proportion of congressional seats
held by particular parties changes regularly. The major political
parties are:

• Workers Party (PT-center-left)
  
  
• Liberal Front Party (PFL-right)
  
• Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB-center)
  
• Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB-center-left)
  
• Progressive Party (PP-right)
  
• Brazilian Labor Party (PTB-center-right)
  
• Liberal Party (PL-center-right)
  
• Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB-left)
  
• Popular Socialist Party (PPS-left)
  
• Democratic Labor Party (PDT-left)
  
• Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB-left)

President
Lula was elected with the support of an alliance composed of his own
leftist Workers' Party (PT), the center right Liberal Party (PL), the
leftist National Mobilization Party (PMN), which currently only has two
Deputies in the Chamber, the leftist Popular Socialist Party (PPS,
formerly the PCB), and the leftist Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).
The PPS as well as the large PMDB party left the PT-led governing
coalition in December 2004. With these withdrawals, the coalition
has a small majority in the Chamber of Deputies and a minority in the
Senate. Party loyalty is weak, and deputies and senators who belong to
the parties comprising the government coalition do not always vote with
the government, but the government may also attract support from
members who are not in the governing coalition.

Because
of the mandatory revenue allocation to states and municipalities
provided for in the 1988 constitution, Brazilian governors and mayors
have exercised considerable power since 1989. Presidential,
congressional, and gubernatorial elections last took place in October
2002. President Lula won the election with 61% of the vote. His
challenger in the run-off was Jose Serra of the PDSB, former President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso's party. The next presidential elections will
be held in October 2006.  Municipal elections occurred in October
2004.

Chief of State and Cabinet Members
President--Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Vice President--Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva
Minister-Chief Casa Civil (Chief of Staff)--Jose Dirceu
Secretary of Political Coordination--Aldo Rebelo
Secretary General--Luiz Dulci
Communications Secretary--Luiz Gushiken
Secretary for Economic and Social Development--Jaques Wagner
Institutional Security--Gen. Jorge Armando Felix
Inspector General--Waldir Pires
Secretary for Fishing--Jose Fritsch
Secretary for Human Rights--Nilmario Miranda
Secretary for Racial Equality--Matilde Ribeiro
Secretary for Women’s Affairs--Nilceia Freire
Solicitor General--Alvaro Ribeiro Costa
Minister of Agrarian Development--Miguel Rossetto
Minister of Agriculture--Roberto Rodrigues
Minister of Cities--Olivio Dutra
Minister of Communication--Eunicio Oliveira
Minister of Culture--Gilberto Gil
Minister of Defense--Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva
Minister of Development, Industry, & Trade--Luiz Fernando Furlan
Minister of Education--Tarso Genro
Minister of Environment--Marina Silva
Minister of Finance--Antonio Palocci
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Celso Amorim
Minister of Health--Humberto Costa
Minister of Justice--Marcio Tomaz Bastos
Minister of Labor and Employment--Ricardo Berzoini
Minister of Mines and Energy--Dilma Rousseff
Minister of National Integration--Ciro Gomes
Minister of Planning and Budget--Nelson Machado (acting)
Minister of Science and Technology--Eduardo Campos
Minister of Social Development--Patrus Ananias
Minister of Social Security--Amir Lando
Minister of Sports--Agnelo Queiroz
Minister of Tourism--Walfrido Mares Guia
Minister of Transportation-- Alfredo Nascimento
Central Bank President--Henrique Meirelles
Ambassador to the United States--Roberto Abdenur
Ambassador to the United Nations--Ronaldo Sardenberg
Ambassador to the OAS--Valter Moreira

Brazil maintains an embassy
in the United States at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20008 (tel. 202-238-2700). Brazil has consulates general in New York,
Chicago, and Los Angeles; and consulates in Miami, Houston, Boston, and
San Francisco.

ECONOMY
Brazil's
GDP for 2003 was $508.6 billion (0.5% growth), 2002 was $499.4 billion
(1.5% growth), 2001 was $503.9 billion (1.7% growth), and 2000 was
$594.2 billion (4.5% growth). (The growth rates above reflect real
growth in local currency; fluctuations in nominal GDP also reflect
volatility in the exchange rate.) For perspective, the Brazilian real weakened from a year-end exchange rate of 1.95 real/dollar in 2000 to 2.32 real/dollar in 2001, 3.53 real/dollar in 2002, and 2.89 real/dollar
in 2003. Brazil's economy is highly diversified, with wide variations
in levels of development. Most large industry is concentrated in the
south and southeast. The northeast is the poorest part of Brazil, but
it is beginning to attract new investment.

The economy was under critical stress in 2002 with election uncertainties, the 35% depreciation of the real,
less foreign direct investment (dropping to $16.6 billion, $6 billion
less than the previous year's total), and speculation that Brazil might
follow Argentina by defaulting on public debt. Public debt briefly rose
to 63% of GDP, 11% above the 2001 year-end level. Brazil was helped by
the IMF, which stepped in with a record $30 billion program. Lula's
incoming government further slashed spending and increased its
primary-budget surplus target from 3.75% to 4.25% of GDP, consistently
meeting and sometimes exceeding the requirements of the IMF agreement.

The
Government of Brazil has given other positive signals to the
international financial community, in particular, upholding impeccably
strong fiscal and monetary policies and achieving passage by Congress
of his tax and pension reforms bills, albeit in considerably
watered-down form, by the end of his first year in office. The exchange
rate recovered and stabilized dramatically, while the Central Bank
benchmark interest rate was lowered from 26.5% to 16.5% between June
and December 2003.

A
giant step forward under the previous government had been the passage
of Brazil's Fiscal Responsibility Law in May 2000. This law improved
fiscal discipline at all levels--federal, state, and municipal--and in
all branches of government. As part of his remaining plan for tax
reform, President Lula proposes to unify the ICMS tax on goods and
services into a standardized national VAT with five different rates.
Currently, dozens of different rates are levied in the 27 states, all
of which have their own tax code.

Market
opening and economic stabilization have enhanced Brazil's growth
prospects. Brazil's exports have nearly doubled in the last decade, and
imports have more than doubled. In WTO and FTAA negotiations, the U.S.
and Brazil share common goals such as global elimination of export
subsidies and reduction in domestic agricultural support. Brazil has
much to gain through free trade in terms of economic growth and
realizing its trade potential.

Brazil
has vast agricultural resources, with two distinct agricultural
environments. The first, comprised of the southern one-half to
two-thirds of the country, has a semi-temperate climate and higher
rainfall, better soils, higher technology and input use, adequate
infrastructure, and more experienced farmers. It produces most of
Brazil's grains and oilseeds and export crops. The other, located in
the drought-ridden northeast region and in the Amazon basin, lacks
well-distributed rainfall, good soil, adequate infrastructure, and
sufficient development capital. Although producing mostly for
self-sufficiency, the latter regions are increasingly important to
exporters of forest products, cocoa, and tropical fruits. The
Central-West contains substantial areas of savannah grassland with only
scattered trees, and the area is experiencing rapid and extensive
agricultural expansion.

Brazilian
agriculture is well diversified, and the country is largely
self-sufficient in food. Agriculture accounts for 9% of the country's
GDP and employs about 20% of the labor force. Agribusiness, taken as a
whole, accounts for about one-third of Brazil's GDP. Brazil is the
world's largest producer of sugarcane, coffee, frozen concentrated
orange juice, tropical fruits, and has the world's largest commercial
cattle inventory. It is a major producer and exporter of cocoa,
soybeans, tobacco, wood products, poultry, pork, corn and cotton.
Livestock production is important in many sections of the country, with
rapid growth in the poultry, pork, and milk industries reflecting
changes in consumers' tastes. Agriculture accounts for about 41% of the
country's exports, and Brazil enjoyed a positive balance of trade of
more than U.S. $20 billion in agriculture in 2003.

Forests
cover half of Brazil, with the largest rain forest in the world located
in the Amazon Basin. Recent migrations into the Amazon and large-scale
burning of forest areas have brought international attention. The
government has reduced incentives for such activity and is implementing
an ambitious environmental plan that includes an Environmental Crimes
Law with serious penalties for infractions.

Brazil
has one of the most advanced industrial sectors in Latin America.
Accounting for one-third of GDP, Brazil's diverse industries range from
automobiles and parts, other machinery and equipment, steel, textiles,
shoes, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, and petrochemicals, to computers,
aircraft, and consumer durables. Most major automobile producers have
established production facilities in Brazil.

Brazil
has a diverse and sophisticated services industry as well. Mail and
telecommunications are the largest, followed by banking, energy,
commerce, and computing. During the 1990s, Brazil's financial services
industry underwent a major overhaul and is relatively sound. The
financial sector provides local firms a wide range of financial
products. The largest financial firms are Brazilian (and the two
largest banks are government-owned), but U.S. and other foreign firms
have an important share of the market.

Privatization
triggered a flood of investors after 1996. The yearly investment
average in the telecom sector the 4 years prior to the start of
privatization was R$5.8 billion, and the annual average for the 4 years
post privatization was R$16.3 billion, nearly tripling. Investment in
the electrical power sector increased from R$5.3 billion annually in
the pre-privatization era to R$7.2 billion. U.S. companies provided a
great deal of this influx of cash. After 2000, many of these investors
suffered huge losses in the face of adverse regulatory decisions and
especially the sharp depreciation of the real. The energy sector was
especially hard hit.

In
2001, Brazil experienced an electricity crisis due to inadequate
rainfall for its hydroelectric system and insufficient new investment
in the sector. Mandatory rationing and price hikes were sufficient to
prevent blackouts. The rationing system officially ended on March 1,
2002. Lula’s new Energy Minister unveiled an energy plan in July 2003,
which has left much vital detail undefined and most investors
dissatisfied.

The
Government of Brazil has undertaken an ambitious program to reduce
dependence on imported oil. In the mid-1980s, imports accounted for
more than 70% of Brazil's oil and derivatives needs; the figure is now
well under 20%. Brazil is one of the world's leading producers of
hydroelectric power. Of its total installed electricity-generation
capacity of 90,000 megawatts, hydropower accounts for 66,000 megawatts
(74%).

Proven
mineral resources are extensive. Large iron and manganese reserves are
important sources of industrial raw materials and export earnings.
Deposits of nickel, tin, chromite, bauxite, beryllium, copper, lead,
tungsten, zinc, gold, and other minerals are exploited. High-quality,
coking-grade coal required in the steel industry is in short supply.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Brazil
has traditionally been a leader in the inter-American community and
played an important role in collective security efforts, as well as in
economic cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. Brazil supported the
Allies in both World Wars. During World War II, its expeditionary force
in Italy played a key role in the Allied victory at Monte Castello. It
is a member of the Organization of American States (OAS) and a party to
the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty).
Recently, Brazil has given high priority to expanding relations with
its South American neighbors and is a founding member of the Latin
American Integration Association (ALADI) and Mercosul (Mercosur in
Spanish), an imperfect customs union including Argentina, Uruguay,
Paraguay, and Brazil, with Chile, Bolivia and Peru as associate members.

Along
with Argentina, Chile, and the U.S., Brazil is one of the guarantors of
the Peru-Ecuador peace process. Brazil is a charter member of the
United Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It has
contributed troops to UN peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East, the
former Belgian Congo, Cyprus, Mozambique, Angola, East Timor, and most
recently Haiti. In January 2004, Brazil began a two-year term as a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Prior to this, it had
been a member of the UN Security Council four times. Brazil is lobbying
for a permanent position on the UN Security Council. Brazil currently
chairs the "Group of Friends" countries committed to supporting
long-term democracy in Venezuela, of which the U.S. also is a member.
Brazil is currently leading the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti.

As
Brazil's domestic economy has grown and diversified, the country has
become increasingly involved in international economic and trade policy
discussions. The U.S., western Europe, and Japan are primary markets
for Brazilian exports and sources of foreign lending and investment.
Brazil also has bolstered its commitment to nonproliferation through
ratification of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signing a
full-scale nuclear safeguard agreement with the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), acceding to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, and joining
the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Suppliers
Group.

U.S.-BRAZILIAN RELATIONS
The
United States was the first country to recognize Brazil's independence
in 1822. The two countries have traditionally enjoyed friendly, active
relations encompassing a broad political and economic agenda.

The
relationship between Brazil and the U.S. strengthened with the
inauguration of Brazil's internationally oriented, reformist President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1995. President Bush invited then
President-elect Lula to Washington for a meeting in December 2002, at
which time they committed to a presidential summit in 2003. President
Lula again visited Washington for a summit on June 20, 2003. Documents
covering the results of the summit can be found on the White House and State Department
Web sites. Deepening U.S.-Brazil engagement and cooperation are
reflected in the numerous high-level contacts between the two
governments, including visits to Brazil by Secretary of State Colin
Powell, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, Treasury Secretary
John Snow and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, as well as to the U.S.
by Brazilian Foreign Minister Amorim, and many other members of
President Lula’s cabinet.

Ongoing
topics of discussion and cooperation include trade and finance;
hemispheric economic integration; FTAA; nonproliferation and arms
control; human rights; international crime, including financial support
to terrorist groups; counter-narcotics; and environmental issues.
Bilateral agreements in effect include an Education Partnership
Agreement, which enhances and expands cooperative initiatives in such
areas as standards-based education reform, use of technology, and
professional development of teachers; a Mutual Legal Assistance
treaty--ratified in 2001; and agreements on cooperation in energy,
national parks, and government reform.

U.S. Embassy and Consulate Functions
The
U.S. embassy and consulates in Brazil provide a wide range of services
to U.S. citizens and business. Political, economic, and science
officers deal directly with the Brazilian Government in advancing U.S.
interests but also are available to brief U.S. citizens on general
conditions in the country. Attaches from the U.S. Commercial Service
and Foreign Agriculture Service work closely with hundreds of U.S.
companies that maintain offices in Brazil. These officers provide
information on Brazilian trade and industry regulations and administer
several programs to aid U.S. companies starting or maintaining business
ventures in Brazil. The number of trade events and U.S. companies
traveling to Brazil to participate in U.S. Commercial Service and
Foreign Agriculture Service programs has tripled over the last 3 years.

The
consular section of the embassy provides vital services to the
estimated 50,000 U.S. citizens residing in Brazil. Among other
services, the consular section assists Americans who wish to
participate in U.S. elections while abroad and provides U.S. tax
information. Besides the U.S. residents living in Brazil, some 150,000
U.S. citizens visit annually. The consular section offers passport and
emergency services to U.S. tourists as needed during their stay in
Brazil.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--John Danilovich
Deputy Chief of Mission--Philip Chicola  
Defense Attaché--Col. Samuel K. Stouffer, U.S. Army
Consul General—Simon Henshaw
Economic Counselor--Bruce Williamson
Commercial Counselor--John Harris
Political Counselor--Dennis Hearne
Science Counselor--Patricia Norman
Public Affairs Counselor--Patrick Linehan
Consul General in Sao Paulo--Patrick Duddy
Consul General in Rio de Janeiro--Edmund Atkins
Consul in Recife--Peter Swavely

The U.S. Embassy
in Brasilia is located at SES Avenida das Nacoes, quadra 801, lote 3,
Brasilia, DF, CEP: 70.403-900 (tel. 55-61-312-7000), (fax
55-61-225-9136). Internet: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/.

U.S.
consulates general are in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and a consulate
is in Recife. Consular agents are located in Manaus, Belem, Salvador,
Fortaleza, and Porto Alegre. Branch offices of the U.S. Foreign
Commercial Services are located in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro,
and Belo Horizonte.

Other Business Contacts
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of Latin America and the Caribbean
International Trade Administration
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: 202-482-0428
1-800-U.S.A-TRADE
Fax: 202-482-4157
Automated fax service for trade-related info: 202-482-4464

American Chamber of Commerce of Sao Paulo
Rua da Paz, No. 1431
04713-001 - Chacara Santo Antonio
Sao Paulo - SP, Brazil
Tel: 55-11-51-803-804
Fax: 55-11-51-803-777
E-mail: amhost@amcham.com.br

American Chamber of Commerce of Rio de Janeiro
Praca Pio X-15, 5th Floor
Caixa Postal 916
20040 Rio de Janeiro--RJ-Brazil
Tel: 55-21-2203-2477
Fax: 55-21-2263-4477
E-mail: amchambr@unisys.com.br

TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The
U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health
conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas
that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free
copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of
Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are
available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov.
Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain
information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are
on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.

Emergency information concerning
Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas
Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies,
Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000.

The National Passport Information Center
(NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public
contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT
(1-877-487-2778). Customer service representatives and operators for
TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, excluding federal holidays.

Travelers can check the latest health
information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web
site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or
requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions
and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International
Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.

Information on travel conditions, visa
requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and
other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your
departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for
this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this
publication).

U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov
or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a
country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their
passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an
emergency.


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