100 Things to Love About Brazil (Part 4 of 10)

31. The Beach



With over 4650 miles of coastline, it's not surprising that Brazil has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Ipanema or Copacabana anyone?

32. Fresh Coconut



There's nothing quite as refreshing as a fresh coconut on a hot day.

33. Hammocks



Used at home and on trips, hammocks are a great way to sleep or just relax.  The key is to lie diagonally.

34. Warm Weather Year Around

Although some areas of Brazil can see frost, the majority of Brazil experiences warm summer temperatures all year long.  If you've ever bundled up in several layers in order to brave the elements of a winter snowstorm, you know what a blessing it is to wear sandals all the time.  Ready to hit the beach or the pool?
   

35. Dry Season / Rainy Season

Although there are technically traditional seasons, the seasons actually observed are dry season and rainy season.  For roughly six months of the year, it may rain almost everyday while the other half of the year won't see a drop of rain.  For several months you don't have to worry about having an umbrella.  However, when the first rain of the season finally arrives, it doesn't matter what you are doing, you will take a minute to enjoy the sound and feel of fresh rain. 

  

36.  Consistent Weather

Have you ever watched The Truman Show about a man who lives in a perfectly controlled environment?  At one point Truman watches the weather report in which he hears something like it will be sunny with a high and low of 72 degrees.  That's somewhat what it's like to watch the weather report in Brazil.  In some evening news broadcasts, a newscaster will go to the map and point to different areas and say, "Sunny..sunny...sunny...sunny...this whole state: partly cloudy...and this half of the country: chance of afternoon showers."  Skilled meteorologists are not such a commodity here.  From this weather map of Brazil I'd say it's going to be partly cloudy, what do you think?  The snowman in the map probably means it will be under 50 degrees.  With no central heat, that's cold! 

37. The Agriculture

Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee, and has been for the last 150 years.  It produces roughly a third of the world's coffee.  Endless summer translates into a long growing season.  Some farms are even able to harvest three crops within a year.  Besides coffee, Brazil's main crops are soybeans, sugarcane, oranges, corn, wheat, and rice. 

      

38.  Its Size

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world and covers over half of South America.  It is larger than the continental United States and almost as large as all of Europe.  You can travel for days without leaving the country.  With a land area this big, there is a lot to see and do.

39. It is Environmentally Friendly

In 2006 Brazil became energy independent.  Not only that, but one of its main exports is energy in the form of sugarcane ethanol.  Roughly 90% of new cars sold in Brazil are flex-fuel vehicles.  Brazil is also an innovator of flex-fuel motorcycles and buses.  The vast majority of Brazil's energy is generated from renewable sources and over 75% of Brazil's electricity comes from hydroelectric dams.

It's estimated that Brazilians consume approximately 80% less electricity per capita than Americans.  Thanks to a warm climate, many Brazil households manage without central air or heat, hot water heaters, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.  This translates to significantly lower energy bills.

40. Few Natural Disasters

Brazil is blessed with great weather and for its size, suffers from a surprisingly low number of natural disasters.  Although occasional flooding can occur in some areas, the country as a whole enjoys an existence virtually free from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and tsunamis.  It's no wonder that there is the saying in Brazil, "Deus é Brasileiro" or "God is Brazilian."