Occupying nearly half of South America, Brazil is the fifth largest country by geographical area as well as the fifth most populous country and fourth most populous democracy in the world. Officially known as the Federative Republic of Brazil, it is comprised of a federation of 26 states, one federal district, and numerous municipalities. Sao Paulo is the capital city with Portuguese as the indigenous language. Over thirty Brazilian consulates/ embassies exist throughout the world with six in the US alone – Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. to name a few. Located at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue, the Washington, D.C. consulate is the main U.S. Brazilian branch.
Historically Brazilian culture has been deeply influenced by European, African, and indigenous traditions and cultures which contribute to its unique ethnic/demographic complexity. Its topography is diverse as well, housing the Amazon Rainforest revered as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. One of the largest forests in the world, The Amazon contains an incomparable supply of biodiversity and resources. Emanating a rich ocean blue background, the picturesque website captures the richness and diverseness of country and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about Brazil’s current international relations, challenges, goals, aspirations, and programs. A statement in the Foreign Policy section reads,
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in his February 22, 2008 address to the Brazilian Congress further asserts: “All this was accomplished by overcoming obstacles and coping with massive difficulties. An essential tool that has served to strengthen democracy while effectively ensuring these advances has been the use of professional and responsible dialogue with every segment of civil society, seeking to resolve conflicts fairly and formulating equitable shared solutions for Brazil’s serious problems. This has been one of the most innovative and distinguishing features of our administration, as I always make a point of emphasizing (Press Portal – Original Speeches).
People of African descent constitute 75 million Brazilians – 44.6 %of the overall Brazilian population. Outside of Nigeria, it houses the second largest black population. Racism is an intrinsic component of the African experience worldwide and a mar negatively stigmatizing humankind. Brazil’s commitment to race relations is outlined in the Press portal/Press Releases. The government has persevered to eradicate racial discrimination since 1950 with the signing of bill which made “made racist acts a crime nationwide.” In historic precedence, President da Silva’s administration in January 2003 established the ministerial agency SEPPI (Special Secretariat for Policies to Promote Racial Equality) whose central goal is to fight against racism. Such historic measures demonstrate that “Brazil has proven to be a laboratory for public policies on ways to promote racial equality.” Suffice to say the website accurately reflects the country’s richness and diversity as well the infrastructure’s (government, economy, etc.) sincere desire/commitment to not just the wellbeing of the Brazilian people but the inhabitants of the world.
Bibliography
The Washington D.C. Brazilian Embassy, Web.