It was never so easy to know every detail of Brazil with the help of
a computer. If only you could find your way on the Internet maze.
By Rajendra Pillai
Planning to stop by a tourist office or a bookshop to grab some books and maps of
Brazil? Skip the trip and save time and gas money by doing the research on the Web. Get
information, news, weather, and even a virtual tour right from your desktop.
However, with five thousand new sites being added on cyberspace every day, it can be
frustrating and time-consuming to sit in front of your computer trying to find that one
bit of information. Keep this handy Brazil Web Guide near your computer. The ten
sites reviewed here have been chosen out of hundreds of sites. Feel free to add your own.
Let the countdown begin…
Brazilian Tourist Board
http://www.embratur.gov.br
The official web site of the Brazilian Ministry of Sport and Tourism is a treasure
house of both well-known and little known facts and information about Brazil. Whether you
are interested in Brazil from a tourist’s or a business perspective, you will want to
browse through this site before heading for the airport. Extensive information about the
country and the states can be found under Brazil Information. Click on Business
Opportunities if you are interested in investing in Brazil.
Virtual Trip to Brazil
http://www.vivabrazil.com
Take a trip to Brazil right from your desktop. This web site offers a comprehensive
array of information on Brazil. Read about Brazil’s history, browse through interesting
facts and figures and visit different parts of the country. There is also a handy
telephone number finder. The information is divided into five geographical sections under
the headings of South, Southeast, Central West, North, and Northeast.
Meu Brasil
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil.html
Maintained by Sergio G. Koreisha, Professor of Business Administration at the
University of Oregon, this web site is a comprehensive online resource guide on Brazil.
Find all your Brazilian information needs ranging all the way from history and facts and
figures to sports, news and weather in one useful site. There is also a convenient web
searching and phone listings feature.
Brazil’s Home Page at Purdue University
http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~agenhtml/agenmc/brazil/brazil.html
What sets this site apart is its simple design and concise information. Click on the
General Information about Brazil link and you will be able to access neat facts and
figures about Brazil. Visit the links section to view some other sites on Brazil.
Arguably, the most popular feature of this web site is the Recipes section, which has a
comprehensive listing of Brazilian recipes from appetizers to main courses and desserts.
Brazilian Embassy at Washington, DC
http://www.brasil.emb.nw.dc.us
Don’t be fooled by the lack of superior graphics (the site is currently under
renovation). The Brazilian embassy home page contains a wide array of information on
Brazil. Whether you want to know more about the Brazilian economy, the environment, human
rights or simply want to see some online resources about Brazil before visiting the
country, you will want to stop by
this site.
Brazil on my Mind
http://www.brazil-brasil.com
Combine ethnic culture, travel information, a good selection of sequential links, and a
natural love for the country and you get the Brazil on my Mind web site. Organized in the
form of a running commentary, the web site is simple, yet provides a broad overview of the
country.
The Brazilian Embassy in London
http://www.brazil.org.uk/body.html
The award-winning web site of the Brazilian Embassy in London is a virtual
encyclopaedia on Brazil. From football and foreign policy to cultural events and consular
services, this site gives one of the widest coverage of Brazil. A must-visit for any
Brazilian or anyone interested in Brazil and Brazilian culture.
Brazil-U.S. Business Council
http://www.brazilcouncil.org
The Brazil-U.S. Business Council is a "bilateral trade organization that works to
provide a high-level private sector forum for the business communities of both countries
to engage in substantive dialogue on trade and investments." Click on the Events link
to view the schedule of meetings and conferences. The Brazil Information section covers
several issues (Trade and Economic Information, Brazilian Legislative Issues, Living and
Working in Brazil) that provide a comprehensive look at the country from an insider’s
perspective. And while you are there, don’t forget to check out the search function in the
Links section for all kinds of information about Brazil.
Maria Brazil
http://www.maria-brazil.org/
This self-proclaimed "home of Brazilian culture on the web" really lives up
to its name. Essentially a one-person operation, the web site contains a host of priceless
resources on Brazil under eight different categories: Crosscultural Pages, Favorite
Places, Little Black Book, Maria’s Cookbook, Music & Folklore, Odds & Ends,
Shopping Basket, and Maria’s Vitrola. Curious? All of these are just a click away!
Brazzil
https://www.brazzil.com
Your favorite Brazilian magazine is on the Web. Access some of the feature stories from
recent issues, take a look through the Music, Art, Television and Radio programs through
the Calendar link, and even browse through the advertisements. The Directory link carries
a comprehensive listing of Brazilian clubs, associations, liberal professionals,
consulates, and businesses in general in the United States. If you want to stay informed
about anything and everything affecting Brazilian culture, then this is one site you will
want to bookmark.
Enough said, roll out the mouse and check these awesome Brazilian sites for yourself.
Rajendra Pillai is a freelance writer living in Maryland. He is the
author of several books and articles. His e-mail: rajendrapillai@hotmail.com
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