Airport
The nearer of Belo Horizonte's two airports is Pampulha (tel 031/3490-2001), airport code: PLU, 9km from the centre and connected by bus #1202. All short-haul flights and an increasing number of flights from further afield arrive here. The much newer Aeroporto Tancredo Neves (tel 031/3689-2700), usually refered to as Confins, airport code: CNF, the name of the nearby town, was designed to take most air traffic away from Pampulha, but its distance from the city (well over 30km, and connected by a bad road) has made it unpopular with passengers and airlines alike. Confins is linked to the centre by airport buses that leave you either at the Rodoviária (the ônibus convencional; $1) or at the tourist centre, Terminal Turístico JK, west along Avenida Amazonas (the faster, air-conditioned ônibus executivo; $5). Both buses have rather erratic timetables (every 20min at best, every 2hr at worst) and take about an hour; if you're departing by plane, phone in advance to check departure times (convencional tel 031/3271-1335; executivo tel 031/3271-4522). Taxis to the city centre cost around $10 from Pampulha or $25 from Confins; there are desks in the arrivals areas from where you can purchase vouchers at rates fixed according to your destination.
Visas
Citizens of Australia, Canada and the U.S. need passports and visas. British citizens need only a passport. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
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Currency
Real/Reais (R$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of R$100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.
Credit Cards
International credit cards like Visa, American Express and MasterCard are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops, however, some establishments will not accept them. Always ask first whether credit cards are accepted if you plan to use them.
Tipping
In most of the case the tip is already include in the bill and it is 10%. It isn’t necessary to give tip to taxi driver.
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Useful Numbers
The Brazil code is: 55
Belo Horizonte’s code is 31
Police: 147
Ambulance: 192
Fire: 193
Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG is attached to the university, Av. Alfredo Badalena 190, Santa Efigênia: tel 031/3239-7100
Directory Assistance: 102
Time: 130
Wakeup Calls: 134
Weather: 132
Electricity
110/120 volts, 60 cycles
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Health Risks
It is essential to have health insurance in Brazil, as hospital and medical fees are high. For most regions of the country you don't need to worry about vaccinations. Yellow fever shots are necessary however if you plan to visit the following states; Acre, Amazonas, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para, Rondonia, Amapá and Roraima. For these regions vaccination against typhoid, polio and malaria is also recommended.
Time Zone
GMT -3
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Business Hours
Business hours in the Brazil vary from one industry and sector to another but as a guide, most office environments tend to operate between 09.00 and 18.00, Monday to Friday. Most banks are open between 09.00 and 16.00, Monday to Friday with some of the larger banks perhaps also opening on Saturday mornings.
Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
20 Jan* Founding of Rio de Janeiro.
25 Jan* Founding of São Paulo.
4-6 Feb Carnival.
21 Mar Good Friday.
23 Mar Easter Day.
21 Apr Tiradentes.
1 May Labour Day.
22 May Corpus Christi.
7 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil.
2 Nov All Souls' Day.
15 Nov Republic Day.
24 Dec Christmas Eve.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
20 Jan* Founding of Rio de Janeiro.
25 Jan* Founding of São Paulo.
23-25 Feb Carnival.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Day.
21 Apr Tiradentes.
1 May Labour Day.
11 Jun Corpus Christi.
7 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil.
2 Nov All Souls' Day.
15 Nov Republic Day.
24 Dec Christmas Eve.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
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Climate
Belo Horizonte has a tropical altitude climate. It rains during the whole year, especially between October and March. In the summer, the amoun fluctuates between 100 and 310 mm, being December the rainiest month with 310 mm. Between April and September they considerably decrease, not exceeding 50 mm. The highest temperature in the summer varies between 27ºC and 29ºC, while the lowest reaches 19ºC. In winter, the highs and the lows can range from 24ºC to 13ºC, respectively.
The atmospheric humidity is higher in summer (80%), from February on it goes down and in August it increases again (65%).
Clothing
Appearance counts. Your clothing will reflect upon you and your company.
Brazilian women dress "sexy" in all situations, whether business, formal or casual. Foreign women who want to blend in should avoid wearing overly formal, conservative attire.
Shoes should be stylish, polished and well-kept. Nails should be manicured.
In business situations, men should wear conservative dark suits, shirts and ties. Three piece suits indicate executives; two piece suits indicate office workers. Women should wear feminine dresses, suits and pantsuits and avoid "dressing like a man."
GDP Growth Rate
0.2%
Inflation
14.7%
Imports
machinery and equipment, chemical products, oil, electricity, autos and auto parts.
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Exports
iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee, motor vehicle parts.
Trading Partners
US, Argentina, Germany, Japan, Italy, Netherlands.
Industries
Agriculture, textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
Government
federal republic
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Geography
Belo Horizonte, city in southeastern Brazil, capital of Minas Gerais State.It lies on the western slope of the Serra do Espinhaço, at an elevation of 2,720 feet (830 m). Belo or Belzonte locally, lies in the center of the country's most important mining area. And lies 581 kms. North East of São Paulo, 429 kms North of Rio de Janeiro and 714 kms South East of the capital Brasília. Belo Horizonte is located in a mountainous region that stands out in the field of mining of iron, gold, precious stones, semi precious stones, and the presence of mineral spring waters.
Population
Brazil: 188 million
Belo Horizonte: 2,017,000
Ethnic Groups
white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%
Languages
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil with the colourful addition of many Indian and African words with a wide variety of accents and dialects.
Literacy
83.3%
Religion
Roman Catholic
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