Brasília

Brasilia
Flag Seal
Location of Brasília
Coordinates:
Country	Brazil
State	Distrito Federal
Governor	José Roberto Arruda
Area
- City	5,801,937 km²
Elevation	1000 m
Population
- City (2005)	2,333,108
- Density	353,53/km²
Time zone	UTC (UTC-3)
Website: www.setur.df.gov.br

Introduction

Brasilia is located in the Federal District, in the central area of Brazil – the true heart of the Country -, in the State of Goiás. It was not projected just for the sake of being a new capital city. It stands out, in worldwide terms, for expressing the application of the principles established in the Letter of Athens, from 1943 - integrated into a national self-determination and development strategy. The Brazilian capital is the only city in the world built in the 20th century to be considered, since 1987, a World Heritage Site by Unesco, an UN agency. And there are plenty of reasons for such renown: the young city, inaugurated in 1960, surprises even the most experienced travelers. Brasilia is the result of a modern urban project designed by Lúcio Costa. If seen from above, the city’s pilot plan resembles the shape of an airplane – many prefer to refer to it as a bird with open wings –, although the architect’s original urban concept appointed to the shape of a cross, to symbolize possession. The city’s project is up to this day a world reference when the issue is urban planning. The idea of spreading residential buildings around expansive urban areas, of tracing the city plan around large avenues and dividing it into sectors, has produced an intense debate and reflections on life in big cities in the 20th century. The city hosts also a varied assortment of art works from great artists like Bruno Giorgi, Alfredo Ceschiatti, Athos Bulcão, Marienne Peretti, Volpi, Di Cavalcanti, Victor Brecheret and Burle Marx whose works have been integrated into the city’s architecture, making of it an unique landscape. A scenario for political events, music performances and movie festivals, Brasilia is a cosmopolitan city, with around 90 embassies, a wide range of restaurants and complete infrastructure ready to host any kind of event. Not surprisingly, the city stands out as an important business tourism destination, which is a raising segment of the local economy, crowding dozens of hotels spread around the national capital. Brasilia has a little bit of every corner of Brazil. Building a national capital in the heart of the Country required a large workforce and attracted people from all corners of the national territory.

Climate

The national capital’s weather is semi-arid, with seasons being defined according to the degree of humidity on air: one season is dry and colder, while the other one is humid and hot. The average temperature is of 20,5°C (69°F). October is the hottest month of the year, with highest temperatures of 29°C (85°F), while July is the coldest one, with lowest temperatures of 13°C (55°F).

The best time to visit the city is from April thru June, when the dry season has yet to begin and beautiful days of the bluest sky are quite common – an unforgettable, unique spectacle. From August through September, it is the driest time of the year, with gorgeous purple and yellow flowered “Ipê” trees spread along the city’s grayish vegetation at this time of the year. Rains start pouring, usually, in October.

History

President Juscelino Kubitschek ordered the construction of Brasília, fulfilling a long-forgotten article of the country's republican constitutions stating that the capital should be relocated from Rio de Janeiro. Its main urban planner was Lúcio Costa. Oscar Niemeyer was the chief architect of most of the public buildings and Roberto Burle Marx was the landscape designer. The city plan was based on the ideas of Le Corbusier. Brasília was built in 41 months, from 1956 to April 21, 1960 when it was officially inaugurated.

From 1763 to 1960, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil, and resources tended to be centred in Brazil's southeast region. Brasília’s geographically central location made for a more regionally neutral federal capital. The idea of placing Brazil’s capital in the interior dates back to the first republican constitution of 1891, which roughly defined where the federal district should be placed, but the site itself was not defined until 1922. Brasília’s location, it was argued, would promote the development of Brazil's central region and better integrate the entire territory of Brazil.

According to a legend, in 1883, the Italian priest Don Bosco had a prophetic dream in which he described a futuristic city that roughly fitted Brasília's location. Today, in Brasília, there are many references to this educator who founded the Salesian order. One of the main cathedrals carries his name.

Demographics

Brasilia is a new city, thus it brings people from all regions of Brazil. Being a culturally and ethnic very diverse (but fully integrated) country, Brasilia, as Brazil, has all different types of ethnicities and cultures that exist in Brazil. See Demographics of Brazil.

Famous Landmarks

• Paranoá Lake

A giant artificial lake built in order to increase the amount of rainfalls in the region. It also holds the second largest Marina in Brazil, and is home to the capitals wakeboard and windsurf practitioners.

• Television Tower

A Lúcio Costa project, with 224 meters of height. From up there, visitors can view the Pilot Plan, from a platform 75 meters up from the ground, with capacity for 150 people. In late afternoons, many visitors come up the Tower to view Brasilia’s the beautiful sunset. Around the Tower visitors find the largest and most traditional handcrafts fair in Brasilia. Right across from it there is a sculpture to celebrate the "Space Era", by Alexandre Wakenwith and, on a lower platform, at a height of 25 meters, visitors find the Gems Museum.

• The Alvorada Palace

This is Brazilian Presidents’ official residence. Surrounded by a giant garden, the building is known for its white marble columns that have become a symbol of Brasilia – it was deigned by Oscar Niemeyer. First great construction erected in the city, the Alvorada Palace was inaugurated even before Brasilia was finished, in 1958.

• Praça dos Três Poderes (The “Three Powers Square”)

Praça dos Três Poderes concentrates some of the most important and significant buildings in the work and career of Oscar Niemeyer – the Planalto Palace, headquarters of Brazilian Presidency; the National Congress, hosting the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate; and the Higher Courts of Justice. The Square also hosts: the “Panteão da Pátria” (the Fatherland Banner), the Lúcio Costa Space and three important sculptures – “Pombal”, by Niemeyer; “Justice”, by Alfredo Ceschiatti; and “Os Candangos”, by Bruno Giorgi. In the central plaza a National Banner with 286 square meters is hold by a 100-meter high pole. It is located at the end of the Ministries Plateau.

• National Congress

Headquarters of Brazilian Legislative Powers, the National Congress is composed of the Federal Senate – on the left side and represented by the "concave architectural dish" - and the Chamber of Deputies – located on the right side and represented by the "convex dish". There are guided visits at every hour, going through both session halls and the museums in both houses of the Legislative Power.

• The Planalto Palace

It is the headquarters of Brazilian Executive Power, including the offices of the President of the Republic.

• The Itamarati Palace

Also known as the “Arches Palace”, the Itamarati Palace holds a wide variety of artworks and antiques.

• The Supreme Federal Tribunal

It is the headquarters of the Country’s Judicial Power, the Higher Court holds a vast library with approximately 80 thousand volumes. Guided visits are available on Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm, and last around 30 minutes – going through the Sessions Hall, the Noble Hall and three Museums.

• Palace of Justice at the Ministry of Justice

It is the headquarters for the Ministry of Justice, offering guided visits to its Black Hall, the Portraits Room, Library and Internal Garden.

• The Tancredo Neves Fatherland Banner Monument

Monument to freedom and democracy, it celebrates national heroes and especially ex-president Tancredo Neves. The project was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and hosts a collection of great artists, among them Athos Bulcão, João Câmara and Marianne Peretti.

• The Lúcio Costa Space

A space dedicated to the miniature plan of the city of Brasilia. It is located below street level under the Three Powers Square – at the end point of the Ministries Plateau.

• The JK Bridge

Inaugurated in 2002, the JK Bridge is the third bridge built to connect the city’s Pilot Plan to the South Lake. It is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

• The Cultural Complex of the Republic

Open to the Public since december 2006, it is part of the original masterplan of the Capital.

Famous Places

Churches

• The Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasilia'

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, it was inaugurated in 1970. With a round shape, and being structured around 16 curved pillars filled with beautiful stained glass works, designed by Marianne Peretti – their disposition ensures natural lighting into the aisle, built below street level. Around the church, in the outside area, visitors can see Alfredo Ceschiatti’s sculptures – the four evangelists – and inside, suspended angels. There are also paintings by Di Cavalcanti, representing the stages of the Passion of Christ, and paintings by Athos Bulcão.

• The Dom Bosco Sanctuary

It is surrounded by 16-meter high arches that support immense stained glass works with many tones of blue. Filled with lighter points of blue, they give viewers the impression of seeing a star spangled sky and of changing places according to the position of the Sun. The central chandelier contains 7,400 Murano glass cups.

• The Temple of the “Legião da Boa Vontade” (Good Will Legion)

Open 24 hours a day, the construction in the shape of a pyramid has its floors decorated with granite spirals. On the temple’s top ceiling, a 40-cm and 21-Kg crystal stone renders a positive energy to the temple, as idealized by its designers. There is also an Egyptian Room, an art gallery and a gifts store.

Museums

• The Central Bank’s Values Museum

It offers a permanent exhibition of national and foreign coins and paper money. It also hosts an exhibition on gold mining showing the largest gold stone found in Brazil, weighing 62 kg.

• The JK Memorial

As a highlight of the Monumental Axle area, this is a homage to the conceiver and founder of Brasilia, President Juscelino Kubitschek. The memorial’s halls host the museum – with pictures, documents and personal objects related to the life of JK - and the Mortuary Chamber, with the ex-president’s tomb.

• National Museum of Gems

It hosts a permanent exhibition of Brazilian gems and crystals. It is located inside the TV Tower Panoramic Hall, in the Monumental Axle.

• Banco do Brasil Cultural Center – CCBB

It hosts temporary exhibits, art shows and theater and dance shows. It also hosts a snack bar, a gifts store and an auditorium, where this Cultural Center hosts debates on a wide range of issues, including reading tables and other events.

• The Press Museum

This museum’s greatest highlight is the printing press used by the famous Brazilian writer, Machado de Assis, who worked as book printer during his youth. There are also exemplars of the Official Daily in which the “Lei Áurea” (the Law ending with slavery in Brazil) and the Republic Proclamation Act were published in the late 19th century.

• Indigenous Peoples Memorial

It hosts indigenous utilitarian – such as ceramics, vessels and hammocks – and ritual – “cocares” (head accessories used by Brazilian tribes) and collars – works made by indigenous tribes from all over Brazil. The museum is opened from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 am o 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.

Parks

• The City Park – Sarah Kubitschek

Located inside the city’s Pilot Plan, the “Parque da Cidade” (City Park”), extends over four million square meters. It includes landscape works of Burle Marx, and wall tiles that decorate restrooms in the Park designed by Athos Bulcão. Equipped with sports courts, a horse track, a racing kart track, skate tracks, playgrounds for children, bicycle tracks and trails for walks and jogging, the City Park attracts hundreds of people everyday, specially on weekends.

• The Brasilia Botanical Gardens

It was founded in March 1985 and since then has been through many reformation works to comply with its original philosophical – to be a sample of the “cerrado” (the dry pasture vegetation typical of Central Brazil) landscape -, and technical requirements – to become a space dedicated to research, environmental education and leisure for the city’s population. It offers to visitors the typical vegetation of the “cerrado” area, trails for walks, a belvedere, from where visitors can see almost all the park’s area, and a Visitors Center, which offers support and information those interested in knowing its attractions. There are, for instance, gardens with native and exotic plants, all of which are identified with signaling tags, including also some areas for picnics. It is opened from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

• The Brasilia National Park

It extends over 30 thousand hectares. It is known by locals as “Água Mineral” (Mineral Water) – due to its springs and pools of running water formed out of water pools that emerge from the margins of Acampamento Stream. Besides its natural pools, there is also two trails for walks: the Capivara Trail, being 1,3 km long, and which may be covered in 20 minutes; and the Cristal Água Trail, which requires an one-hour walk to cover its 5-km extension. On calmer days, it is possible to see specimen from the local fauna, such as armadillos, monkeys and “capybaras” (a local large rodent mammal). The Park is opened all through the year, but its best season is between May and October. It is opened from 8 am to 4 pm, and visitors may pay a fee to get it.

• The Imperial Plateau Park

50 km away from Brasilia, the Imperial Plateau is located inside an “APA” – an Environmental Protection Area. The guided tour goes along trails and waterfalls, with halts for bathing and diving. The tour goes from 9 am to 5:30 pm, including transportation and lunch. It requires booking with antecedence, and visitors should wear sneakers, hat or cap, and solar protectors, bringing also light food for intervals, before and after lunch.

Thematic Parks

• The Brasilia Zoo

It occupies an 140-hectare area , near the Wild Life Sanctuary of Riacho Fundo, with 440 hectares, and the Birds Park, with 110 hectares, and all of them are managed by the Ecological Pole Foundation of Brasilia (FunPEB), comprising a total area of 690 hectares. The zoo hosts approximately 1,300 animals including birds, reptiles and mammals, in a total of 253 species, especially those that represent the original South American fauna – some of which live under the threat of extinction. The tour inside the Zoo may also be covered by car. The Zoo was not intended to be a place only for occasional visitations, but also for a deeper interaction with nature, the preservation of threatened species, environmental research and education. Besides all these animals, the zoo also offers snack bars, an arena theater, auditorium, a small library and also a Taxidermy Museum, including also wide and greenish areas protected under the shade of trees.

• Bay Park

Water park, with six water toboggans – including an outdoors, 20-meter high one, and also an outdoors, 35-meter high one -, including also wavy pools, an artificial river with running streams and pools for children.

Culture

Building a Cultural Identity

A little less than 50 years after its creation, Brasilia is still developing a culture of its own. The city has often been criticized as a failed utopia where rationalized modernist, planning has buried the human element. Yet Brazilians are quite proud of their capital, embodying a vision of a future when Brazil is no longer considered merely a "developing" country.

It has been said that Brasília is a dead city at night, with not a lot to do or places to go, especially for the younger crowd. While this was true in the early years of the city (which some have said led to the birth of such popular bands as Legião Urbana and Capital Inicial), nowadays a thriving nightlife has sprouted.

"Barzinhos" and Locations

Originally there were two sections of the city where bars and clubs where supposed to be built, the aptly named Setor de Diversões Sul e Setor de Diversões Norte (Entertainment Sector South and North, respectively). Today almost every "entrequadra" (the comercial street between the "Super Quadras") has at least one bar or restaurant, while a few are known to only have that type of commercial establishments. There are over 300 bars and restaurants in the Plano Piloto area alone, and a number of nightclubs have opened as well. Special attention is brought to "barzinhos" such as the Libanus (serving an amaxing arabian cousine and with a well-known bar), and the Bar Brasilia, with business hours going until 4:00am on the weekends. Brazilian original music rhythms, such as the Forro, the Samba, and the traditional Chorinho, are also played weekly in places like the Teatro Nacional, the Arena club and the Calaf bar.

Cultural Calendar

Traditional parties also take place throughout the year. The beginning of the year is usually empty, as most of the city is on vacation, mostly over the coastal cities of Brazil. By June, there are large parties celebrating Saints, such as San Antonio and Saint John, that are called "festa junina". By August, the main event is the so called "Micarecandanga". Over the year there are local, national and international events spread through the city. Christmas is also largely celebrated, and the New Years Eve usually host major paid events, for thousands of people, with national and international acclaimed bands and DJ's that host the parties for those who are not already at the coastal Cities. In Brasilia, just like in any major brazilian city, it is common to go to bars after work and before going to the clubs and parties. The difference lies in the fact that it is much safer than cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Drinking in public areas is permited by local laws, as well as carrying beer or any unsealed alcoholic beverages around the streets. There are groups of people with particular interests that frequent each bar.

Single Crowd

The single crowd is usually at places such as the Azeite de Oliva and Mont Sion bars, and the singles nightlife and concentrated mainly on "axe" shows and over nightclubs spread throughout the "Plano Piloto" and "Lagos Sul". The nightlife is full, modern, and usually starts around 11pm lasting until 05am, except for the "rave" parties, that usually starts in the middle of the night, and the "axe" parties, that usually take place on the weekend afternoons and evenings. In Brasilia, like generally in Brazil, dating is a little different than in the rest of the western world. It is very commom to see a lot of people kissing at the parties, although kissing among brazilians is not a compromising thing, nor a clear sign of future sexual relations.

Brasilia's Major Musical Events

Over the past few years, Brasilia has joined the international scene for big bands such as Alanis Morissete, Simply Red and the the Pretenders, that played at the Brasilia Music Festival, and recently hosted Black Eyed Peas, Bob Sinclair and the famous DJ Paul Van Dyk.

The largest pop bands of Brazil such as Skank, Jota Quest, Capital Inicial, O Rappa, etc. have played in the city sereval times. The "axe music" rythm also holds a considerably large amount of events in the city throughout the year, specially at the annual event of "micarecandanga".

Furthermore, the city is renowed for bringing famous DJ's for its rave parties, specially DJ's from Western Europe and the USA, such as Tiesto, infected mushroom and Raja Ram.

Bands from Brasilia

• Capital Inicial - brazilian pop
• Legiao Urbana - brazilian pop/alternative
• Paralamas do Sucesso - brazilian Pop
• Plebe Rude - Brazilian pop-rock
• Raimundos - Brazilian Rock
• Natiruts - Reggae

Sports

Soccer

Brasilia is home to two major soccer teams, that are:

• Brasiliense Futebol Clube
• Sociedade Esportiva do Gama
• The main soccer stadium is called the Estádio Mané Garrincha

Car racing

• There are many car racings through the year, specially at the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet.

Free Flying

Brasilia is known as a departing point for the practice of free flying sports, a sport that may be practiced with Hang Gliding or Paragliding wings. Practitioners of such sports reveal that, because of the city’s dry weather, the city offers strong thermal winds and great “cloud-streets” – which is also the name for a maneuver quite appreciated by practitioners. The national capital hosted the 14th Hang Gliding World Championship – one of the categories of free flying – in 2003. And in 2005, from August 21st to 27th, it will host the 2nd stage of the Brazilian Hang Gliding Championship. See also: - Brazilian Free Flying Association - [1] - Brasilia Paragliding Practitioners Collective – [2] - Brazilian Paragliding Association - [3]

Social Data

Brasilia is considered to have one of the highest growth rates in Brazil, increasing its size by an average of 2.82% each year. The vegetation surrounding the city is called cerrado, the South American savanna. The main rivers surrounding the city are called Paranoa, Preto, Santo Antonio do Descoberto and Sao Bartolomeu.

The Human Development Index in the city is at 0,844 (developed nation level), and the illiteracy rate is around 4.35%. In Brasilia, so as in Brazil, voting is a national duty, not a right, and not voting is considered a violation of the law. Brasilia itself holds 1.518.437 voters, as of 2002, according to the IBGE.

Education

Universities

• UnB - University of Brasília
• UCB - Catholic University of Brasília
• UniCeub
• UniEuro
• IESB
• AEUDF
• UPIS
• FoPLac

Economy

Brasilia's Participation at the overall Brazilian GDP is 1,8%^{http://www.distritofederal.df.gov.br}. The main agricultural products produced in the city are Coffee, Guava, Orange, Lemon, Papaya, Soy beans and Mango. It has 110.157 cows and it exports woodproducts worldwide. The most important industries in the city are construction, publishing, steel transformation, and most recently, recycling, pharmaceuticals and information technology. The national government is by far the largest employer, accounting for around 40% of the city jobs. Government jobs include all levels, from the federal police to diplomacy, from communication services to the armed forces.

Infrastructure

The consumption of commercial energy at Brazil's capital was 924(Gwh), the industrial reached 337(Gwh), and the residential reached 1.241(Ghw). The total energy consumption was 3.319(Ghw). An important thing to remember is that Brasilia, as most cities in Brazil, gets most of its energy with Hydroelectric Power Plants, the cleanest and most renewable use of energy to date. Brasilia, as most of Brazil, has insignificant contribution to the world's pollution, speacially when compared to the pollution generated by China, North America, Europe and Japan.

The railways system is not develped, with only 36km. This is a commom thing in Brazil, that opted for paved roads instead of railways in general. However, the city has a large subway system spread throughout the Distrito Federal. The total extension of Brasilia's paved roads is 1.855,5 km (843mi), with 44% of all its roads paved.

Famous Places Nearby

Nearby attractions include:

• Pirenópolis - an old Portuguese colonial town surrounded by several waterfalls.
• Chapada dos Veadeiros - A National Park with plenty of cerrado wildlife and spectacular waterfalls.
• Itiquira waterfall - this beautiful 168m-high warterfall is little more than 100km from Brasilia
• Rio Quente Resorts - The biggest Natural Hotsprings resort of the world. Located about 360km (225mi) away from the city.

Notable people in Brasília

Contributors for the foundation of Brasília:

• Jose Bonifacio - First brazilian chancellor to suggest the Idea of building a capital in the center of the country
• Legendary Dom Bosco - Priest
• Juscelino Kubitschek - President and Founder
• Oscar Niemeyer -Arquitect
• Lucio Costa - Urban Planner

Famous Alumni at the University of Brasília:

• Darcy Ribeiro, anthropologist, founder.
• Anísio Teixeira, educator, founder.
• Oscar Niemeyer,architect, Pritzker Prize 1988, founder.
• Athos Bulcão, artist, founder.
• Cyro dos Anjos, writer.
• Cláudio Santoro, composer and violinist.
• Afonso Arinos de Melo Franco, diplomat and poet.
• Nelson Pereira dos Santos, cineast.
• Roberto Saturnino Braga, engineer and politician.
• Roberto Aureliano Salmeron, nuclear physicist.
• Otto Richard Gottlieb, chemist, Nobel Prize in Chemistry nominee.

Athletes:

• Kaká, Football Legend (current club A.C Milan)
• Lúcio, footballer (current club Bayern Munich)
• Amoroso, played for several years with AC Milan, and is back to play for Corinthians in the 2007 season
• Marílson Gomes dos Santos, professional athlete, winner of the New York City Marathon (2006)
• Hudson de Souza, middle distance runner
• Oscar Schmidt, Basketball Legend
• Tande, Volleyball Player
• Leila Barros, Volleyball player
• Leandro Macedo, Triathlon
• Mariana Ohata, Triathlon
• Tatiana Lemos, Swimmer
• Rebeca Gusmão, Swimmer
• Nelsinho Piquet, Racecar pilot

Professionals:

• Antonio de Affonseca, Space Engineer, European Space Agency
• Ana Paula Padrao - Journalist, hosts one of the biggest nightly TVnews, called Jornal da Globo

Politicians:

• Cristovam Buarque - Renowned Brazilian Intellectual, Formal Dean of the University of Brasilia, Brazilian Congressman, former governor of the Federal District, candidate for the brazilian presidential campaign of 2006, and current Brazilian Senator.
• Joaquim Roriz - Renowned politician and very influnential character in Brasilia's politic scene. Former 05 times governor and current brazilian Senator.

Artists:

• Ney Matogrosso - Singer
• Oswaldo Montenegro - singer
• Cassia Eller - singer
• Zélia Duncan - Singer and former Lead Singer from Os Mutantes
• Digao - Former player of the brazilian band Raimundos
• Syang - Singer and artist

Sister cities

List of sister cities, designated by Sister Cities International:

• Rome, Italy

External links

• Brasília e Região Convention & Visitors Bureau
• History of Brasilia
• Information about Brasília
• Facts about Brasília
• Photos of Brasília
• Informative Brasília page
• (Portuguese) Official Brasília site
• (Portuguese) Brasília Yellow Pages
• Feature article on CityMayors.com

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Capitals of Brazilian States
Aracaju | Belo Horizonte | Belém | Boa Vista | Brasília | Campo Grande | Cuiabá | Curitiba | Florianópolis | Fortaleza | Goiânia | João Pessoa | Macapá | Maceió | Manaus | Natal | Palmas | Porto Alegre | Porto Velho | Recife | Rio Branco | Rio de Janeiro | Salvador | São Paulo | São Luís | Teresina | Vitória

World Heritage Sites in Brazil

Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves | Brasília | Central Amazon Conservation Complex | Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas | Diamantina | Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves | Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas | Goiás | Iguaçu | Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: Ruins of São Miguel das Missões (w/ ) | Olinda | Ouro Preto | Pantanal Conservation Area | Salvador de Bahia | Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas | São Luís | Serra da Capivara