Ten to Remember

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.

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

http://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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