About the CBI

February 2006
Background Note: Brazil

The Brazilian flag is green with a large, yellow diamond in the center
bearing a blue celestial globe with a white equatorial band reading Ordem E
Progresso, and 27 white, 5-pointed stars.

PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Federative Republic of Brazil

Geography
Area: 8,511,965 sq. km. (3,290,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than the U.S.
Cities: Capital--Brasilia (pop. 2.3 million). Other cities--Sao Paulo (10.8
million), Rio de Janeiro (6.1 million), Belo Horizonte (2.4 million),
Salvador (2.6 million), Fortaleza (2.3 million), Recife (1.5 million), Porto
Alegre (1.4 million), Curitiba (1.7 million).
Terrain: Dense forests in northern regions including Amazon Basin; semiarid
along northeast coast; mountains, hills, and rolling plains in the southwest,
including Mato Grosso; and coastal lowland.
Climate: Mostly tropical or semitropical with temperate zone in the south.

People
Nationality: Brazilian.
Population (2005 est.): 186 million.
Annual growth rate: 1.1%.
Ethnic groups: Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Arab, African,
and indigenous people.
Religion: Roman Catholic (74%).
Language: Portuguese.
Education: Literacy--86% of adult population.
Health: Infant mortality rate--27.5/1,000. Life expectancy--71.3 yrs.
Work force: 79 million.

Government
Type: Federative republic.
Independence: September 7, 1822.
Constitution: Promulgated October 5, 1988.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government
popularly elected to no more than two 4-year terms). Legislative--Senate (81
members popularly elected to 8-year terms), Chamber of Deputies (513 members
popularly elected to 4-year terms). Judicial--Supreme Federal Tribunal (11
lifetime positions appointed by the president).
Political parties: Workers' Party (PT), Brazilian Democratic Movement Party
(PMDB), Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), Liberal Front Party (PFL),
Social Democratic Party (PSD), Democratic Workers Party (PDT), Brazilian
Labor Party (PTB), Liberal Party (PL), Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB),
Communist Party of Brazil (PC do B), Brazilian Progressive Party (PP).
Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Green Party (PV), the Social Liberal Party
(PSL), the National Mobilization Party (PMN), National Workers Party (PTN),
Humanistic Solidarity Party (PHS), and the Party of the Reedification of the
National Order (PRONA).

Economy (2004)
GDP: $604.9 billion.
Annual real growth: 4.9%.
Per capita GDP: $3,320.
Natural resources: Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gemstones,
oil, wood, and aluminum. Brazil has 14% of the world's renewable fresh water.
Agriculture (10% of GDP): Products--coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, cocoa, rice,
livestock, corn, oranges, cotton, wheat, and tobacco.
Industry (36% of GDP): Types--steel, commercial aircraft, chemicals,
petrochemicals, footwear, machinery, motors, vehicles, auto parts, consumer
durables, cement, and lumber.
Services (54% of GDP): Types--mail, telecommunications, banking, energy,
commerce, and computing.
Trade: Trade balance 2004--$33.7 billion surplus. Exports--$73.1 billion.
Major markets--European Union 25.0%, United States 21.1%, Argentina 7.6%,
China 5.6%, and Mexico 4.1%. Imports--$62.8 billion. Major suppliers
--European Union 25.4%, United States 18.1%, Argentina 8.9%, China 5.9% and
Nigeria 5.6%.

PEOPLE AND HISTORY
With its estimated 186 million inhabitants, Brazil has the largest population
in Latin America and ranks fifth in the world. The majority of people live in
the south-central area, which includes the industrial cities of Sao Paulo,
Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Urban growth has been rapid; by 2005, 81%
of the total population was living in urban areas. This growth has aided
economic development but also has created serious social, security,
environmental, and political problems for major cities.

Six major groups make up the Brazilian population: the Portuguese, who
colonized Brazil in the 16th century; Africans brought to Brazil as slaves;
various other European, Middle Eastern, and Asian immigrant groups who have
settled in Brazil since the mid-19th century; and indigenous peoples of Tupi
and Guarani language stock. Intermarriage between the Portuguese and
indigenous people or slaves was common. Although the major European ethnic
stock of Brazil was originally Portuguese, subsequent waves of immigration
have contributed to a diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.

From 1875 until 1960, about 5 million Europeans immigrated to Brazil,
settling mainly in the four southern states of Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa
Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Immigrants have come mainly from Italy,
Germany, Spain, Japan, Poland, and the Middle East. The largest Japanese
community outside Japan is in Sao Paulo. Despite class distinctions, national
identity is strong, and racial friction is a relatively new phenomenon.
Indigenous full-blooded Indians, located mainly in the northern and western
border regions and in the upper Amazon Basin, constitute less than 1% of the
population. Their numbers are declining as contact with the outside world and
commercial expansion into the interior increase. Brazilian Government
programs to establish reservations and to provide other forms of assistance
have existed for years but are controversial and often ineffective.

Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas. About three
quarters of all Brazilians belong to the Roman Catholic Church; most others
are Protestant or follow practices derived from African religions.

Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500. The colony was
ruled from Lisbon until 1808, when Dom Joao VI and the rest of the Portuguese
royal family fled from Napoleon's army, and established its seat of
government in Rio de Janeiro. Dom Joao VI returned to Portugal in 1821. His
son declared Brazil's independence on September 7, 1822, and became emperor
with the title of Dom Pedro I. His son, Dom Pedro II, ruled from 1831 to
1889, when a federal republic was established in a coup led by Deodoro da
Fonseca, Marshal of the Army. Slavery had been abolished a year earlier by
the Regent Princess Isabel while Dom Pedro II was in Europe.

From 1889 to 1930, the government was a constitutional republic, with the
presidency alternating between the dominant states of Sao Paulo and Minas
Gerais. This period ended with a military coup that placed Getulio Vargas, a
civilian, in the presidency; Vargas remained as dictator until 1945. Between
1945 and 1961, Jose Linhares, Gaspar Dutra, Vargas himself, Café Filho,
Carlos Luz, Nereu Ramos, Juscelino Kubitschek, and Janio Quadros were elected
presidents. When Quadros resigned in 1961, Vice President Joao Goulart
succeeded him.

Goulart's years in office were marked by high inflation, economic stagnation,
and the increasing influence of radical political elements. The armed forces,
alarmed by these developments, staged a coup on March 31, 1964. The coup
leaders chose as president Humberto Castello Branco, followed by Arthur da
Costa e Silva (1967-69), Emilio Garrastazu Medici (1969-74), and Ernesto
Geisel (1974-79), all of whom were senior army officers. Geisel began a
democratic opening that was continued by his successor, Gen. Joao Baptista de
Oliveira Figueiredo (1979-85). Figueiredo not only permitted the return of
politicians exiled or banned from political activity during the 1960s and
1970s, but also allowed them to run for state and federal offices in 1982.

At the same time, an electoral college consisting of all members of congress
and six delegates chosen from each state continued to choose the president.
In January 1985, the electoral college voted Tancredo Neves from the
opposition Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) into office as
President. However, Neves became ill in March and died a month later. His
Vice President, former Senator Jose Sarney, became President upon Neves'
death. Brazil completed its transition to a popularly elected government in
1989, when Fernando Collor de Mello won 53% of the vote in the first direct
presidential election in 29 years. In 1992, a major corruption scandal led to
his impeachment and ultimate resignation. Vice President Itamar Franco took
his place and governed for the remainder of Collor's term culminating in the
October 3, 1994 presidential elections, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso was
elected President with 54% of the vote. Cardoso took office January 1, 1995,
and pursued a program of ambitious economic reform. He was re-elected in
October 1998 for a second four-year term. Luiz Inacio da Silva, commonly
known as Lula, was elected president in 2002, after his fourth campaign for
the office.

President Lula, a former union leader, is Brazil's first working-class
president. Since taking office he has taken a prudent fiscal path, warning
that social reforms would take years and that Brazil had no alternative but
to maintain tight fiscal austerity policies. The real is strong, and in 2005,
Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded increases in employment and
real wages.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Brazil is a federal republic with 26 states and a federal district. The 1988
constitution grants broad powers to the federal government, made up of
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president holds office for
four years, with the right to re-election for an additional four-year term,
and appoints his own cabinet. There are 81 senators, three for each state and
the Federal District, and 513 deputies. Senate terms are eight years,
staggered so that two-thirds of the upper house is up for election at one
time and one-third four years later. Chamber terms are four years, with
elections based on a complex system of proportional representation by states.
Each state is eligible for a minimum of eight seats; the largest state
delegation (Sao Paulo's) is capped at 70 seats. This system is weighted in
favor of geographically large but sparsely populated states.

Fifteen political parties are represented in Congress. Since it is common for
politicians to switch parties, the proportion of congressional seats held by
particular parties changes regularly. The major political parties are:

* Workers' Party (PT-center-left)
* Liberal Front Party (PFL-right)
* Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB-center)
* Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB-center-left)
* Progressive Party (PP-right)
* Brazilian Labor Party (PTB-center-right)
* Liberal Party (PL-center-right)
* Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB-left)
* Popular Socialist Party (PPS-left)
* Democratic Labor Party (PDT-left)
* Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB-left)

President Lula was elected with the support of an alliance composed of his
own leftist Workers' Party (PT), the center right Liberal Party (PL), the
leftist National Mobilization Party (PMN), which currently only has two
Deputies in the Chamber, the leftist Popular Socialist Party (PPS, formerly
the PCB), and the leftist Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB). The PPS as well
as the large PMDB party left the PT-led governing coalition in December 2004.
With these withdrawals, the coalition has a small majority in the Chamber of
Deputies and a minority in the Senate. In June 2005, a domestic political
scandal surfaced which has absorbed most parliamentary attention and derailed
the legislative agenda and schedule. It has also led to a number of party
switches by parliamentarians and at least three ongoing congressional
investigations. Party loyalty is weak, and deputies and senators who belong
to the parties comprising the government coalition do not always vote with
the government. Conversely, the government may also attract support from
members who are not in the governing coalition. For example, a substantial
wing of the PMDB continues to vote with the government coalition and the PMDB
has ministries in Lula's cabinet.

Because of the mandatory revenue allocation to states and municipalities
provided for in the 1988 constitution, Brazilian governors and mayors have
exercised considerable power since 1989. Presidential, congressional, and
gubernatorial elections last took place in October 2002. President Lula won
the election with 61% of the vote. His challenger in the run-off was Jose
Serra of the PDSB, former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's party. The
next presidential elections will be held in October 2006. Municipal elections
occurred in October 2004.

Chief of State and Cabinet Members
President--Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Vice President--Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva
Minister-Chief Casa Civil (Chief of Staff)--Dilma Rousseff
Secretary General--Luiz Dulci
Secretary for Economic and Social Development--Jaques Wagner
Minister for Institutional Security--Gen. Jorge Armando Felix
Inspector General--Waldir Pires
Secretary for Fishing--Jose Fritsch
Secretary for Racial Equality--Matilde Ribeiro
Secretary for Women's Affairs--Nilceia Freire
Solicitor General--Alvaro Ribeiro Costa
Minister of Agrarian Development--Miguel Rossetto
Minister of Agriculture--Roberto Rodrigues
Minister of Cities Marcio Fortes
Minister of Communication--Helio Costa
Minister of Culture--Gilberto Gil
Minister of Defense--Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva (also Vice President)
Minister of Development, Industry, & Trade--Luiz Fernando Furlan
Minister of Education--Fernando Haddad
Minister of Environment--Marina Silva
Minister of Finance--Antonio Palocci
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Celso Amorim
Minister of Health--Saraiva Felipe
Minister of Justice--Marcio Tomaz Bastos
Minister of Labor and Employment--Luiz Marinho
Minister of Mines and Energy--Silas Rondeau
Minister of National Integration--Ciro Gomes
Minister of Planning and Budget--Paulo Bernardo
Minister of Science and Technology--Sergio Rezende
Minister of Social Development--Patrus Ananias
Minister of Social Security Nelson Machado
Minister of Sports--Agnelo Queiroz
Minister of Tourism--Walfrido Mares Guia
Minister of Transportation--Alfredo Nascimento
Central Bank President--Henrique Meirelles
Ambassador to the United States--Roberto Abdenur
Ambassador to the United Nations--Ronaldo Sardenberg
Ambassador to the OAS--Osmar Vladimir Chohfi

Note: The Offices of Political Coordination and Human Rights, and the
Secretariat of Communications have been consolidated into the Ministry of
Economic and Social Development, Justice, and the Chief of Staff,
respectively.

Brazil maintains an embassy in the United States at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-238-2700). Brazil has consulates general
in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and consulates in Miami, Houston,
Boston, and San Francisco.

ECONOMY
Brazil's economy, aided by a benign international environment, should have
another solid year in 2005. GDP growth of 4.9% in 2004 has coupled with
booming exports, healthy external accounts, moderate inflation, decreasing
unemployment, and reductions in the debt-to-GDP ratio. President Lula and his
economic team have implemented prudent fiscal and monetary policies and have
pursued necessary microeconomic reforms.

Brazil has made progress but significant vulnerabilities remain. Despite
registering its first year-on-year decline in 2004, Brazil's (largely
domestic) government debt remains high, at 52% of GDP. Total foreign debt,
while falling, is still large in relation to Brazil's modest export base.
Over time this concern will be reduced by healthy export growth, which has
anchored the positive trade and current accounts. Personal incomes improved
in 2004 after a significant decline over the previous decade. Income and land
distribution remains skewed.

Sustaining high growth rates in the longer term depends on the impact of
President Lula's structural reform program and efforts to build a more
welcoming climate for investment, both domestic and foreign. In its first
year, the Lula administration passed key tax and pension reforms to improve
the government fiscal accounts. Judicial reform and an overhaul of the
bankruptcy law, which should improve the functioning of credit markets, were
passed in late 2004, along with tax measures to create incentives for
long-term savings and investments.

Legislation promoting public private partnerships, a key effort to attract
private investment to infrastructure, also passed in 2004. Labor reform and
proposals to increase autonomy for the Central Bank are pending. Despite this
well-considered reform agenda, much remains to be done to improve the
regulatory climate for investments, particularly in the energy sector; to
simplify tax systems at the state and federal levels; and to further reform
the pension system.

Trade Policy
President Lula has made economic growth and poverty alleviation top
priorities. Export promotion is a main component in plans to generate growth
and reduce what is seen as a vulnerability to international financial market
gyrations. To increase exports, the government is seeking access to foreign
markets through trade negotiations and increased export promotion as well as
government financing for exports.

To increase its international profile (both economically and politically),
the Lula administration is seeking expanded trade ties with developing
countries, as well as a strengthening of the Mercosul (Mercosur in Spanish)
customs union with Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. In 2004, Mercosul
concluded free trade agreements with Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru,
adding to its existing agreements with Chile and Bolivia to establish a
commercial base for the newly-launched South American Community of Nations.
Mercosul is pursuing free trade negotiations with Mexico and Canada and has
resumed trade negotiations with the EU. The trade bloc also plans to launch
trilateral free trade negotiations with India and South Africa, building on
partial trade liberalization agreements concluded with these countries in
2004. China has increased its importance as an export market for Brazilian
soy, iron ore and steel, becoming Brazil's fourth largest trading partner and
a potential source of investment.

Reform Agenda
In 2003, Congress passed Lula's key reforms of the public sector pension
system and the tax code. The 2004 legislative season was not very productive,
in part because of a political scandal early in the year followed by
campaigning for the October municipal elections. In December 2004, several
key bills passed into law, including a reform of the judicial system, a
modern bankruptcy law, and Public Private Partnerships to fund infrastructure
projects. In March 2005, a law to legalize biotechnology crops and stem cell
research passed. The domestic political scandal, which surfaced in June 2005,
has distracted attention this session from further judicial reforms and
efforts to increase Central Bank autonomy.

Agriculture
Agriculture is a major sector of the Brazilian economy, and is key for
economic growth and foreign exchange. Agriculture accounts for 10% of GDP
(30% when including agribusiness) and 40% of Brazilian exports. Brazil
enjoyed a positive agricultural trade balance of U.S. $34 billion in 2004.
Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugar cane, coffee, tropical
fruits, frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ), and has the world's largest
commercial cattle herd (50% larger than the U.S.) at 170 million head. Brazil
is also an important producer of soybeans (second to the United States),
corn, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, and forest products. The remainder of
agricultural output is in the livestock sector, mainly the production of beef
and poultry (second to the United States), pork, milk, and seafood.

Other Aspects
Forests cover half of Brazil, with the largest rain forest in the world
located in the Amazon Basin. Recent migrations into the Amazon and
large-scale burning of forest areas have brought international attention. The
government has reduced incentives for such activity and is implementing an
ambitious environmental plan that includes an Environmental Crimes Law with
serious penalties for infractions.

Brazil has one of the most advanced industrial sectors in Latin America.
Accounting for one-third of GDP, Brazil's diverse industries range from
automobiles and parts, other machinery and equipment, steel, textiles, shoes,
cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, and petrochemicals, to computers, aircraft,
and consumer durables. Most major automobile producers have established
production facilities in Brazil.

Brazil has a diverse and sophisticated services industry as well. Mail and
telecommunications are the largest, followed by banking, energy, commerce,
and computing. During the 1990s, Brazil's financial services industry
underwent a major overhaul and is relatively sound. The financial sector
provides local firms a wide range of financial products. The largest
financial firms are Brazilian (and the two largest banks are
government-owned), but U.S. and other foreign firms have an important share
of the market.

Privatization triggered a flood of investors after 1996. The yearly
investment average in the telecom sector the 4 years prior to the start of
privatization was R$5.8 billion, and the annual average for the four years
following privatization was R$16.3 billion, nearly tripling. Investment in
the electrical power sector increased from R$5.3 billion annually in the
pre-privatization era to R$7.2 billion. U.S. companies provided a great deal
of this influx of cash. After 2000, many of these investors suffered huge
losses in the face of adverse regulatory decisions and especially the sharp
depreciation of the real. The energy sector was especially hard hit.

In 2001, Brazil experienced an electricity crisis due to inadequate rainfall
for its hydroelectric system and insufficient new investment in the sector.
Mandatory rationing and price hikes were sufficient to prevent blackouts. The
rationing system officially ended on March 1, 2002. Lula's then-Energy
Minister unveiled an energy plan in July 2003, which left many vital details
undefined and most investors dissatisfied.

The Government of Brazil has undertaken an ambitious program to reduce
dependence on imported oil. In the mid-1980s, imports accounted for more than
70% of Brazil's oil and derivatives needs; the figure is now well under 20%.
Brazil is one of the world's leading producers of hydroelectric power. Of its
total installed electricity-generation capacity of 90,000 megawatts,
hydropower accounts for 66,000 megawatts (74%).

Proven mineral resources are extensive. Large iron and manganese reserves are
important sources of industrial raw materials and export earnings. Deposits
of nickel, tin, chromite, bauxite, beryllium, copper, lead, tungsten, zinc,
gold, and other minerals are exploited. High-quality, coking-grade coal
required in the steel industry is in short supply.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Brazil has traditionally been a leader in the inter-American community and
played an important role in collective security efforts, as well as in
economic cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. Brazil supported the Allies
in both World Wars. During World War II, its expeditionary force in Italy
played a key role in the Allied victory at Monte Castello. It is a member of
the Organization of American States (OAS) and a party to the Inter-American
Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty). Recently, Brazil has given high
priority to expanding relations with its South American neighbors and is a
founding member of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the
Community of South American Nations (CASN) and Mercosul, a customs union
including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, with Chile, Bolivia,
Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador as associate members.

Along with Argentina, Chile, and the U.S., Brazil is one of the guarantors of
the Peru-Ecuador peace process. Brazil is a charter member of the United
Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It has contributed
troops to UN peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East, the former Belgian
Congo, Cyprus, Mozambique, Angola, East Timor, and most recently Haiti.
Brazil is currently leading the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti. In January
2004, Brazil began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN
Security Council. Prior to this, it had been a member of the UN Security
Council four times. Brazil is lobbying for a permanent position on the UN
Security Council. Brazil has chaired the "Group of Friends" countries
committed to supporting long-term democracy in Venezuela, of which the U.S.
also is a member.

As Brazil's domestic economy has grown and diversified, the country has
become increasingly involved in international economic and trade policy
discussions. For example, Brazil has been a leader of the G-20 group of
nations in the WTO Doha Round talks. The U.S., Western Europe, and Japan are
primary markets for Brazilian exports and sources of foreign lending and
investment. China is a growing market for Brazilian exports. Brazil also has
bolstered its commitment to nonproliferation through ratification of the
nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signing a full-scale nuclear
safeguard agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
acceding to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, and joining the Missile Technology
Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

U.S.-BRAZILIAN RELATIONS
The United States was the first country to recognize Brazil's independence in
1822. The two countries have traditionally enjoyed friendly, active relations
encompassing a broad political and economic agenda.

The relationship between Brazil and the U.S. strengthened with the
inauguration of Brazil's internationally oriented, reformist President
Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1995. President Bush invited then
President-elect Lula to Washington for a meeting in December 2002. President
Lula again visited Washington for a summit on June 20, 2003. Documents
covering the results of the summit can be found on the White House and State
Department web sites. Deepening U.S.-Brazil engagement and cooperation are
reflected in the numerous recent high-level contacts between the two
governments, including visits to Brazil by President Bush in November 2005,
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in April 2005 and then-Secretary of State
Colin Powell in October 2004, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in March
2005, and Treasury Secretary John Snow in August 2005 , as well as to the
U.S. by Brazilian Foreign Minister Amorim, and many other members of
President Lula's cabinet.

Ongoing topics of discussion and cooperation include trade and finance;
hemispheric economic integration; Free Trade Area of the Americas;
nonproliferation and arms control; human rights and trafficking in persons;
international crime, including financial support to terrorist groups;
counter-narcotics; and environmental issues. Existing bilateral agreements
include an Education Partnership Agreement, which enhances and expands
cooperative initiatives in such areas as standards-based education reform,
use of technology, and professional development of teachers; a Mutual Legal
Assistance treaty--ratified in 2001; and agreements on cooperation in energy,
the environment, and transportation.

U.S. Embassy and Consulate Functions
The U.S. embassy and consulates in Brazil provide a wide range of services to
U.S. citizens and business. Political, economic, and science officers deal
directly with the Brazilian Government in advancing U.S. interests but also
are available to brief U.S. citizens on general conditions in the country.
Attaches from the U.S. Commercial Service and Foreign Agriculture Service
work closely with hundreds of U.S. companies that maintain offices in Brazil.
These officers provide information on Brazilian trade and industry
regulations and administer several programs to aid U.S. companies starting or
maintaining business ventures in Brazil. The number of trade events and U.S.
companies traveling to Brazil to participate in U.S. Commercial Service and
Foreign Agriculture Service programs has tripled over the last three years.

The consular section of the embassy provides vital services to the estimated
50,000 U.S. citizens residing in Brazil. Among other services, the consular
section assists Americans who wish to participate in U.S. elections while
abroad and provides U.S. tax information. Besides the U.S. residents living
in Brazil, some 150,000 U.S. citizens visit annually. The consular section
offers passport and emergency services to U.S. tourists as needed during
their stay in Brazil.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--vacant
Deputy Chief of Mission--Philip Chicola
Defense Attaché--Captain Paul Bruno, U.S. Navy
Consul General--Simon Henshaw
Economic Counselor--Bruce Williamson
Commercial Counselor--Janice Corbett
Political Counselor--Dennis Hearne
Science Counselor--Patricia Norman
Public Affairs Counselor--Patrick Linehan
Consul General in Sao Paulo--Christopher McMullen
Consul General in Rio de Janeiro--Edmund Atkins
Consul in Recife--Diana Page

The U.S. Embassy in Brasilia is located at SES Avenida das Nacoes, quadra
801, lote 3, Brasilia, DF, CEP: 70.403-900 (tel. 55-61-312-7000), (fax
55-61-225-9136). Internet: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/.

U.S. consulates general are in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and a consulate
is in Recife. Consular agents are located in Manaus, Belem, Salvador,
Fortaleza, and Porto Alegre. Branch offices of the U.S. Foreign Commercial
Services are located in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo
Horizonte.

Other Business Contacts
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of Latin America and the Caribbean
International Trade Administration
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: 202-482-0428
1-800-U.S.A-TRADE
Fax: 202-482-4157
Automated fax service for trade-related info: 202-482-4464

American Chamber of Commerce of Sao Paulo
Rua da Paz, No. 1431
04713-001 - Chacara Santo Antonio
Sao Paulo - SP, Brazil
Tel: 55-11-51-803-804
Fax: 55-11-51-803-777
E-mail: amhost@amcham.com.br

American Chamber of Commerce of Rio de Janeiro
Praca Pio X-15, 5th Floor
Caixa Postal 916
20040 Rio de Janeiro--RJ-Brazil
Tel: 55-21-2203-2477
Fax: 55-21-2263-4477
E-mail: amchambr@unisys.com.br