Bandeira do Brasil

Bandeira do Brasil

Saturday, September 29, 2012

COME AGAIN? A FLYING RIVER?


Yes, you read it right. A group of Brazilian scientists has been studying over 30 years the air masses which drift from the Amazon region and carry humidity to other regions of Brazil.  The vapour volume conveyed by these flying rivers can be bigger than the discharge of all Brazilian mid-western rivers altogether reaching astonishing 200,000 cu m/s. In other words an amount of water equivalent to the Amazon river discharge may pass over our heads in one second. Still, according to researches a single large tree alone can  transpire 12,000 gallons of water a day. The Amazon rain forest works as a water pump drawing to the continent all humidity evaporated from the Atlantic ocean. This humidity becomes rain and falls over the rainforest itself. 
To show how these flying rivers bring rain to Brazil and South America, British-born pilot Gerard Moss flies aboard his single-engine Embraer 721 aircraft above the Amazon rainforest  "Climate change is taking its toll. The United States is going through its worst drought in half a century, Russia is also reeling from drought and in India monsoon rains have for years been irregular," he said. "Brazil is less affected because we have the world's biggest tropical forest, which helps regulate the climate."


Deforestation is, however, an important counterfactor. With logging and agriculture shrinking Brazil's rainforests, there are fewer trees to release the water vapour that creates these flying rivers. 
Scientists believe nearly 20% of the Amazon has been destroyed and some fear a point of no return if destruction reaches 35% to 40%. Large-scale deforestation has made Brazil one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters, but the government has vowed to curb it and has made significant strides in the past decade. Brazilian authorities confirmed earlier this year that deforestation fell to a record low of 6 418 km² in 2011, down from a peak of 27 000km² in 2004.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

GERMAN, POMMERSCH OR HUNSRUCKISCH?


Pomerode is a Brazilian city in the state of Santa Catarina, in Southern Brazil. It is located in the valley of the Itajaí-Açu river, not very far from the city of Blumenau, one of the largest cities in the state.
Pomerode is known as the most German city in Brazil, because the vast majority of its inhabitants are of German descent and are bilingual in German and Portuguese.
Pomerode was founded by Pomeranian Germans in 1861 and is considered the "most typically German of all German towns of southern Brazil".
One very remarkable characteristic about Pomerode is the fact that Pommersch is still being preserved by the majority of the local population.
In Pomerode, as in some other localities in southern Brazil (Santa Maria de Jetibá, Espírito Santo, among them), the German language is not a foreign language, but a Brazilian linguistic regionalism.
For a good part of the 20th century, the Brazilian government did not encourage people to speak the German language. As a matter of fact, at times it was actively repressed and prohibited, like during Getúlio Vargas's presidency. Today on the other hand the German language is part of the curriculum in local schools and strongly encouraged by the local governments throughout southern Brazil.
If Pomeranian (i.e. Pommersch, not to be confused with Slavic Kashubian which is in English also called Pomeranian) is spoken by most town inhabitants of Pomerode (alongside Portuguese), most German-Brazilians who are bilingual speak the Riograndenser Hunsrückisch or Hunsrückisch German dialect.
The town government uses "Pomeroy" as the English translation of the town's name on its website, despite being etymologically incorrect.
Candidates for the forthcoming elections to a seat  at the the City Council and Town Hall do better to convince the electorate if they can speak the local dialect.
The local Zoo is also an attraction in itself. 
Source: Wikipedia




Tuesday, September 25, 2012

AND THE LATIN GRAMMY GOES TO...


This video is one of the nominees to the 2012 Latin Grammy to be held in Las Vegas. It runs for three of the main prize statues: record of the year, album of the year and best musical video.
Other Brazilian nominees in the most important categories are - "Chico" by Chico Buarque (album of the year, the song "Extranjero" by Maria Gadú (best song) and Gaby Amarantos (2012 revelation).


Saturday, September 22, 2012

THE CAPITAL AT THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

An equinox occurs twice a year (around 20 March and 22 September), when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latinaequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length.
The date at which sunset and sunrise become exactly 12 hours apart is known as the equilux. Because times of sunset and sunrise vary with an observer's geographic location (longitude and latitude), the equilux likewise depends on location and does not exist for locations sufficiently close to the Equator. The equinox, however, is a precise moment in time which is common to all observers on Earth.
Sun compass: to the left of the picture,
the  northern hemisphere, to the right - the
southern hemisphere
You are right between two hemispheres
Macapá is the only Brazilian capital crossed by the equator line. That’s why the inhabitants of the city have the privilege – at least twice a year – to watch the Equinox, when the sun rises, moves and sets exactly along the equator line. In this period days and nights on our whole planet are of equal length. And this phenomenon happens only twice a year : in March, known as “Spring Equinox” – and in September, the “Autumn Equinox”.


In Macapá the “Equinox” can be observed from the monument “Marco Zero”. Apart from locals, the phenomenon attracts tourists and scientists. This year it was set for Sep. 22nd at 11:49. Local of observation : City of Macapá.
Source: Wikipedia

Thursday, September 20, 2012

MEET THE GREEN MUSEUM OF TOMORROW IN RIO

The Museu do Amanhã, or Museum of Tomorrow, designed by Santiago Calatrava, an internationally renowned architect "will be a living museum and pedagogical tool,”  according to him. “We want it to exemplify ecology for young people who’ve never heard about it. They’ll be able to see how things work with their own eyes.” 
The rectangular, concrete building’s most prominent feature is a series of photovoltaic panels protruding from its steel roof. During the daytime, they will tilt to follow the sun’s course across the sky. “They’re not passive elements,” Calatrava says. “The building changes like a flower or a plant.”
Other pedagogic green features include pools to capture rainwater, for use in the plumbing system, as well as pools that naturally filter water from the bay. Pumps will harvest seawater, moreover, to cool interior rooms and galleries—all features that could earn LEED certification from the Green Building Council Brasil, an affiliate of the USGBC.
Visitors will enter from a ground-level plaza then ascend to an upper level via two long ramps—one geared toward children, the other for adults—that terminate in windows overlooking the bay. From there, they will pass through a vestibule that rotates 180 degrees and deposits them into a high-ceilinged, nave-like gallery running the building’s length.
Not yet open to the public though, (expectations set for the grand opening to be mid-2014) the gardens and a plaza-level auditorium should open by 2012, in time to host Earth Summit events. 
Source: Architectural Record

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

OUR AGRIBUSINESS PERFORMANCE IS UNEQUALED


The current scenario indicates that in 10 years Brazil will be the largest agricultural country in the world.  The agribusiness activity is thriving, is safe and profitable. (BORGES 2007) With a diverse climate, regular rainfall, abundant solar energy and nearly 13% of all the fresh water available in the planet, Brazil has 368 million hectares of high productive fertile agricultural land, of which 90 million have not been explored yet. These circumstances set the country as a place with natural vocation for agriculture and related products. Agribusiness is today the main engine of the Brazilian economy and accounts for one in every three reais generated in the country. (MAP 2005) 
In the current world structure, Brazil stands as a worldwide storage in terms of agribusiness. According to Rodrigues (2006), the country possesses 22% of the agricultural land in the world besides high technology used in the fields, making Brazilian agribusiness a modern, efficient, and competitive sector in the international market. (...)
By 2015 Brazilian participation in the international market of soybeans should increase from the current 36% to 46%. As far as poultry, this increase will be from 58% to 66%. (...)The agribusiness in Brazil generates 350 billion reais or 26% of the GDP. (...)The country leads the world in exports of sugar, coffee, orange juice and soybeans. It has also taken the lead on the beef and poultry segments after surpassing traditional competitors such as the USA and Australia.

Friday, September 14, 2012

A RODIZIO IS AN EATING EXPERIENCE OF A KIND


Rodízio (pronounced [ʁoˈdʒiziu] in Brazil, is a style of restaurant service in Brazilian restaurants. One pays a fixed price (preço fixo) and the waiters bring samples of food to each customer at several times throughout the meal, until the customers signify that they have had enough. In churrascarias, servers come to the table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of meat, most commonly local cuts of beef, pork, or chicken. There are other rodízio style restaurants, such as ones serving pasta or pizza rodízio, where various pizzas are brought on trays. Rodízio style sushi restaurants are also common.
Foods served at a churrascaria often include:
  • Filet mignon chunks wrapped in bacon
  • Turkey chunks wrapped in bacon (these two are usually two-bite sized)
  • Sirloin steak (cut semicircular and served in slices)
  • Roast beef (served like sirloin steak)
  • Rump Cover (called Picanha in Portuguese)
  • Beef short ribs
  • Lamb
  • Pork ribs
  • Chouriço or some other spicy Iberian pork sausage
  • Chicken hearts
  • Grilled dark-meat chicken
  • Grilled pineapple or banana (meant as a palate cleanser between courses)
Most rodízio courses are served right off the cooking spit, and are sliced or plated right at the table. Sometimes they are accompanied with fried potatoes, fried bananas, collard greens, black beans, and rice (served buffet style).
In many restaurants, the diner is provided with a colored card, red on one side and green on the other. Accordingly, the servers will only bring more meat if the card is flipped to the green side.
Source: Wikipedia

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

THE BEST MUSIC OF THE AMAZON

The music of the Amazonian state of Amazonas is not widely promoted around the country, and it’s a pity because it hosts the folk festival of Parintins, second only to Carnival in popularity, that celebrates the musical/choreographic rivalry of two mythical oxen, Caprichoso and Garantido. With strong native influence, it is somewhat comparable to what we find in neighboring Pará.
Source: Deepbrazil

Here are some interesting samples:








Friday, September 7, 2012

SEPTEMBER 7, OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY


With Napoleon and the Peninsular Wars, and the invasion and occupation of Spain and Portugal, Dom João VI, the seventeenth king of Portugal, fled Lisbon and established his court in Rio de Janeiro, where for the next 13 years, he ruled Portugal’s Asian, African, and American colonies. Although Dom João VI (1769-1826) never ruled over an independent Brazil, historians call him the "Founder of the Brazilian Nationality." One of his major contributions to the growth of Brazil was opening the colony's ports to free trade with friendly nations, thus signaling a marked change in trade and the resulting improved consequence of Brazil. Additionally, Dom João VI spearheaded the founding of the Academia Naval (Naval Academy), Hospital Militar (Military Hospital), Arquivo Militar (Military Archives), Jardim Botânico (Botanic Garden), Intendência Geral de Polícia (Police Commissariat), Real Biblioteca (Royal Library), the Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil), and the gunpowder factory. With the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, he thought it safe to make Brazil another kingdom equal to Portugal. He also decided to remain in Brazil.
The Portuguese government disagreed with both decisions and in 1820 sent troops to assist his relocation to Portugal where the army headed a revolution designed to bring about a constitutional government with Dom João as the constitutional monarch. Dom João returned to Portugal, leaving his 23-year-old son Pedro as prince regent of Brazil. Pedro actively engaged in enlisting support from both able advisors and the people of Brazil.
With revolutions and the desire for independence active in other Latin American countries, Pedro realized Brazil would soon wish for the same. With the support of the Brazilian people and the Brazilian Senate who had bestowed on him the title of Defensor e Protetor Perpétuo do Brasil, Protector and Perpetual Defender of Brazil, he defied an order to return to Portugal. When the Portuguese parliament wished to return Brazil to colonial status, Pedro seized the moment. On September 7, 1822, after receiving orders from the Portuguese parliament limiting his powers in Brazil, Pedro declared Brazil’s independence near the Ipiranga River in São Paulo. Tearing the Portuguese blue and white insignia from his uniform, Pedro drew his sword, and swore: "By my blood, by my honor, and by God: I will make Brazil free." Their motto, he said, would beIndependência ou Morte, Independence or Death! This statement is known as the Grito do Ipiranga. (by Bonnie Hamre)
Each Brazilian Independence Day thousands watch the military parade in Brasília, photo by Jorge Andrade/Flickr Creative Commons License.

In Brasília, a military parade will take place at the Ministries Esplanade with President Dilma Rousseff in attendance, and many other political leaders will gather to talk about the nation’s history and heritage. The parade reportedly costs approximately R$1 million and typically attracts a crowd of over 30,000 spectators.
All of Brazil’s state capitals and many large cities throughout the country will hold similar military parades, such as São Paulo’s Anhembi Sambadrome. Rio de Janeiro’s own famous military procession will parade along downtown’s Avenida President Vargas, with celebrations warming up around 8AM.
Brazil’s relatively bloodless independence from Portugal is celebrated each September 7th with much fanfare and tradition. As a national holiday almost everyone is given the day off from work, and many head for the beaches, as it is usually a very warm day.



Thursday, September 6, 2012

WE ARE 194 MILLION SOULS


On July 1 this year, the Brazilian population totaled 193,946,886, according to an estimate by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), published on August 31 in the Official Federal Gazette
According to the estimate, the population grew 1.57 million (0.81%) compared to July 2011. The projection indicates that the state of São Paulo is the most populous, with 41.9 million people (21.6% of the total population of the country).
After São Paulo, Minas Gerais is the next most populous state in Brazil (19.8 million), followed by the states of Rio de Janeiro (16.2 million), Bahia (14.1 million), Rio Grande do Sul (10.7 million), Paraná (10.5 million), Pernambuco (8.9 million) and Pará (7.7 million). São Paulo remains the most populous city in Brazil with approximately 11.4 million people (27% of state residents and 5.86% of the total population).
The dissemination of population estimates is prescribed by law and the associated statistical data is used in the calculation of federal government economic and sociodemographic indicators, while also serving as a parameter for the allocation of public policy resources and for the distribution of the States' and Municipalities' Participation Funds.
According to an IBGE resolution, the method used to estimate the size of the population will change next year. “New information related to local demographic dynamics should be incorporated and alternative methodological procedures should be included, such as those making use of economic, social and demographic variables at the municipal level,” says the text.

Source:
Largest cities or towns of Brazil
2010 
Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics estimate
Rank
City
Name
State
Pop.
1
São Paulo
São Paulo
11,316,149
2
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
6,355,949
3
Salvador
Bahia
3,093,605
4
Brasília
Distrito Federal
2,609,997

5
Fortaleza
Ceará
2,476,589
6
Belo Horizonte
Minas Gerais
2,385,639
7
Manaus
Amazonas
1,832,423
8
Curitiba
Paraná
1,764,540
9
Recife
Pernambuco
1,536,934
10
Porto Alegre
Rio Grande do Sul
1,413,094
11
Belém
Pará
1,402,056
12
Goiânia
Goiás
1,318,148
13
Guarulhos
São Paulo
1,233,426
14
Campinas
São Paulo
1,088,611
15
São Luís
Maranhão
1,027,429
16
São Gonçalo
Rio de Janeiro
1,008,064
17
Maceió
Alagoas
943,109
18
Duque de Caxias
Rio de Janeiro
861,157
19
Teresina
Piauí
822,363
20
Natal
Rio Grande do Norte
810,780
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