Federative Republic of Brazil

República Federativa do Brasil

CAPITAL: Brasília

FLAG: The national flag consists of a green field upon which is a large yellow diamond twice as wide as it is high. Centered within the diamond is a blue globe showing constellations of the southern skies dominated by the Southern Cross. Encircling the globe is a white banner bearing the words Ordem e Progresso.

ANTHEM: Hino Nacional Brasileiro, beginning "Ouviram do Ipiranga" ("Listen to the cry of Ipiranga").

MONETARY UNIT: On 1 July 1994, the real (R$), a paper currency of 100 centavos, replaced the cruzeiro real (CR$) at the rate of R$1:CR$2,750. R$1 = US$0.3333 (or US$1 = R$3.0) as of May 2003.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard, but some local units also are used.

HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Tiradentes, 21 April; Labor Day, 1 May; Independence Day, 7 September; Our Lady of Aparecida (Patroness of...