History Usefulnotes / Brazil

Brazilian television consists of seven main open networks; (Globo, [=RecordTV=], Band, Cultura, SBT, [=RedeTV!=], Gazeta) one state-run public channel (TV Brasil) and many minor networks, cable TV is also available, for a fee, and lots of people pirate it. The most popular shows are daily {{telenovela}}s[[note]]''not'' {{soap opera}}s as many English-speaking Brazilians tend to translate; they don't quite have the same format[[/note]], news, variety shows (run non-stop at weekends, and very frequent in weekday afternoons), (previously) UsefulNotes/AssociationFootball (soccer) matches (twice a week at least, on Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon), [[Series/TheJerrySpringerShow Jerry Springer]] clones (which have become less common over the years), and the occasional reality show. Popular presenters will often get two, three or four-hour weekly shows. Weekly serials in the popular American format are rare. Cartoons are seen as kid stuff, but were frequently aired in the mornings (sometimes being dubbed {{anime}}); by-and-large they had been phased out of open TV channels' programming, with only one channel, SBT (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão[[note]]Brazilian Television System[[/note]]), still broadcasting them with relative regularity.

Brazilian television consists of seven main open networks; (Globo, [=RecordTV=], Band, Cultura, SBT, [=RedeTV!=], Gazeta) one state-run public channel (TV Brasil) and many minor networks, cable TV is also available, for a fee, and lots of people pirate it. The most popular shows are daily {{telenovela}}s[[note]]''not'' {{soap opera}}s as many English-speaking Brazilians tend to translate; they don't quite have the same format[[/note]], news, variety shows (run non-stop at weekends, and very frequent in weekday afternoons), (previously) football (soccer) matches (twice a week at least, on Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon), Jerry Springer clones (which have become less common over the years), and the occasional reality show. Popular presenters will often get two, three or four-hour weekly shows. Weekly serials in the popular American format are rare. Cartoons are seen as kid stuff, but were frequently aired in the mornings (sometimes being dubbed {{anime}}); by-and-large they had been phased out of open TV channels' programming, with only one channel, SBT (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão[[note]]Brazilian Television System[[/note]]), still broadcasting them with relative regularity.

Like most other Latin American states, Brazil is officially a secular state, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion (many non-practitioners [[CulturallyReligious merely declare themselves Catholic]]), with a growing Protestant neo-Pentecostal (Evangelical) population. Particularly in the northeastern states, various syncretic religions which mix Roman Catholic saints and African deities are also practiced, including ''candomblé'' and ''umbanda''. Spiritism and Judaism are minority faiths, but not that uncommon. Atheists and agnostics are also minorities, but seem to be growing. According to the 2010 census, Brazilian population was composed of Roman Catholics (64,6%), Protestants (22.2%), non-religious people (8%), spiritists (2%) and others (3%) by then.

[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_Brazil What is the capital of Brazil?]] [[TheCapitalOfBrazilIsBuenosAires The capital of Brazil is not Buenos Aires.]] It is not UsefulNotes/RioDeJaneiro either, but it used to be before 1960; it has been [[SpaceBrasilia Brasília]] since 1960 -- a planned city built specifically for this purpose. There are about ten major political parties in Brazil, with PSDB (nominally social democrats), PT (nominally labour) and PMDB (unabashed populists) being the largest and more important. All of them have been involved in political scandals of all sorts, and no wonder; the political system tends to lead very easily to corruption. This is because all sorts of high-ranking jobs in the government are directly or indirectly nominated by politicians, with the nominees tending to 'share' their gains with those who put them there. [[FromBadToWorse To make things worse]], the people who nominate are usually power-brokers in either chamber of Congress, who themselves can only be tried by Brazil's highest court and/or their peers. Combine this with inefficient oversight from the judiciary branch directly responsible for monitoring government spending[[note]]the TCU, the members of which are directly nominated by the same politicians they monitor[[/note]], [[BadCopIncompetentCop all sorts of problems with the police]], the absurdly long time (i.e., more than a decade) for the judiciary to finish trying a case[[note]]in no small part due to the amazing number of appeals anyone can make, it being not rare at all for a mundane case to reach the Supreme Court[[/note]], and other problems, and the results are plain to see.

Brazil's modern population descends from a mix of Portuguese colonists, African slaves, and Native Americans, plus immigrants from UsefulNotes/{{Europe}}, UsefulNotes/TheMiddleEast, and East Asia. Although it isn't very well known, Brazil is home to not only the largest ethnic Japanese population in the world outside Japan itself, but also South America's largest East Asian population overall. The 19th century also saw the settlement of many immigrants from Germany and Italy in the southeastern/southern states, where to this day there's still a lot of German and Italian influence in the culture and architecture, with people occasionally speaking dialects on the streets, especially in the smaller towns.

Brazil's modern population descends from a mix of Portuguese colonists, African slaves, and Native Americans, plus immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Although it isn't very well known, Brazil is home to not only the largest ethnic Japanese population in the world outside Japan itself, but also South America's largest East Asian population overall. The 19th century also saw the settlement of many immigrants from Germany and Italy in the southeastern/southern states, where to this day there's still a lot of German and Italian influence in the culture and architecture, with people occasionally speaking dialects on the streets, especially in the smaller towns.

Brazil is one of only two countries in the Americas that was once a sovereign monarchy (the other being UsefulNotes/{{Mexico}}). Today it is a republic.

The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' (Portuguese: ''República Federativa do Brasil'') is, by far, the largest country in UsefulNotes/LatinAmerica and UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica. It is also the world's fifth largest country by area[[note]]after UsefulNotes/{{Russia}}, UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}, UsefulNotes/{{China}}, and the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates[[/note]] and sixth largest by population[[note]]after India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan[[/note]].

The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' (Portuguese: ''República Federativa do Brasil'') is, by far, the largest country in UsefulNotes/LatinAmerica and UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica. It is also the world's fifth largest country by area[[note]]after Russia, Canada, China, and the United States[[/note]] and sixth largest by population[[note]]after India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan[[/note]].

The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' (Portuguese: ''República Federativa do Brasil'') is, by far, the largest country in Latin America and UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica. It is also the world's fifth largest country by area[[note]]after Russia, Canada, China, and the United States[[/note]] and sixth largest by population[[note]]after India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan[[/note]].

But one tip though: despite most Brazilians acknowledging all this, they [[BerserkButton tend to be a little defensive towards outside criticism]], in part due to the perception that such criticism may be masking "imperialistic intentions".[[note]]This perception does have some historical basis as the [[UsefulNotes/BrazilianMilitaryRegime military coup in Brazil in 1964]] and the horrid dictatorship that followed did receive tacit support from the US government, although the level of direct intervention never reached that in Central America countries.[[/note]] And, to be fair, not all politicians are bad and, after decades of severe problems, Brazil was finally enjoying a good period up to 2016, thanks mainly to the successive PSDB and PT governments since 1994 not screwing up ''too'' badly. Recently, the president suffered an Impeachment, which several people consider groundless and refer to it as a Coup, while some consider it fair based on fiscal responsibility crimes the former president supposedly commited. It finally culminated in the 2018 Presidential election which placed a ''controversial'' [[UsefulNotes/JairBolsonaro far-right candidate]] in power. This debate is very long and [[BrokenBase very polarizing]] for the Brazilian populace; with multiple people calling him the brasilian version of UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump.

Like most other Latin American states, Brazil is officially a secular state, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion (many non-practitioners [[CulturallyReligious merely declare themselves Catholic]]), with a growing Protestant neo-Pentecostal (Evangelical) population. Particularly in the northeastern states, various syncretic religions which mix Roman Catholic saints and African deities are also practiced, including ''candomblé'' and ''umbanda''. Spiritualism and Judaism are minority faiths, but not that uncommon. Atheists and agnostics are also minorities, but seem to be growing. According to the 2010 census, Brazilian population was composed of Roman Catholics (64,6%), Protestants (22.2%), non-religious people (8%), spiritists (2%) and others (3%) by then.

* ''WesternAnimation/Brichos''

* Western Animation/Brichos

* Western Animation / Brichos

The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' (Portuguese: ''República Federativa do Brasil'') is, by far, the largest country in Latin America and UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica. It is also the world's fifth largest country by area[[note]]after Russia, Canada, China, and the United States[[/note]] and sixth largest by population[[note]]after China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan[[/note]].

* Its beautiful names: one of the main things about Brazil is that many people have informal nicknames. For example, former president Luiz Inácio da Silva, who returned to that office after the 2022 election, is generally just "Lula". Even the press will call him just "Presidente Lula" (he actually had it legally incorporated into his name), and his successor Dilma Rousseff is just "Dilma". Also, Brazilian names tend to go to three or more words, because as a rule of thumb both parents pass their last names on to the child, not only the father -- and the mother can register a child in her name only too.

But one tip though: despite most Brazilians acknowledging all this, they [[BerserkButton tend to be a little defensive towards outside criticism]], in part due to the perception that such criticism may be masking "imperialistic intentions".[[note]]This perception does have some historical basis as the [[UsefulNotes/BrazilianMilitaryRegime military coup in Brazil in 1964]] and the horrid dictatorship that followed did receive tacit support from the US government, although the level of direct intervention never reached that in Central America countries.[[/note]] And, to be fair, not all politicians are bad and, after decades of severe problems, Brazil was finally enjoying a good period up to 2016, thanks mainly to the successive PSDB and PT governments since 1994 not screwing up ''too'' badly. Recently, the president suffered an Impeachment, which several people consider groundless and refer to it as a Coup, while some consider it fair based on fiscal responsibility crimes the former president supposedly commited. It finally culminated in the 2018 Presidential election which placed a ''controversial'' [[UsefulNotes/JairBolsonaro far-right candidate]] in power. This debate is very long and [[BrokenBase very polarizing]] for the Brazilian populace; with multiple people calling him "the brasilian UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump".

But one tip though: despite most Brazilians acknowledging all this, they [[BerserkButton tend to be a little defensive towards outside criticism]], in part due to the perception that such criticism may be masking "imperialistic intentions".[[note]]This perception does have some historical basis as the [[UsefulNotes/BrazilianMilitaryRegime military coup in Brazil in 1964]] and the horrid dictatorship that followed did receive tacit support from the US government, although the level of direct intervention never reached that in Central America countries.[[/note]] And, to be fair, not all politicians are bad and, after decades of severe problems, Brazil was finally enjoying a good period up to 2016, thanks mainly to the successive PSDB and PT governments since 1994 not screwing up ''too'' badly. Recently, the president suffered an Impeachment, which several people consider groundless and refer to it as a Coup, while some consider it fair based on fiscal responsibility crimes the former president supposedly commited. It finally culminated in the 2018 Presidential election which placed a ''controversial'' [[UsefulNotes/JairBolsonaro far-right candidate]] in power. This debate is very long and [[BrokenBase very polarizing]] for the Brazilian populace; with multiple people calling him "the brasilian UsefulNote/{{DonaldTrump}}".

But one tip though: despite most Brazilians acknowledging all this, they [[BerserkButton tend to be a little defensive towards outside criticism]], in part due to the perception that such criticism may be masking "imperialistic intentions".[[note]]This perception does have some historical basis as the [[UsefulNotes/BrazilianMilitaryRegime military coup in Brazil in 1964]] and the horrid dictatorship that followed did receive tacit support from the US government, although the level of direct intervention never reached that in Central America countries.[[/note]] And, to be fair, not all politicians are bad and, after decades of severe problems, Brazil was finally enjoying a good period up to 2016, thanks mainly to the successive PSDB and PT governments since 1994 not screwing up ''too'' badly. Recently, the president suffered an Impeachment, which several people consider groundless and refer to it as a Coup, while some consider it fair based on fiscal responsibility crimes the former president supposedly commited. It finally culminated in the 2018 Presidential election which placed a ''controversial'' [[UsefulNotes/JairBolsonaro far-right candidate]] in power. This debate is very long and [[BrokenBase very polarizing]] for the Brazilian populace.

* Being a ''highly'' AcceptableTarget on the internet due to a reputation for {{Griefing}} incidents, especially among the communities of [[MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena MOBAs]]. They already have a HairTriggerTemper as it is, but there is no more guaranteed way to start a flame war than to say you are Brazilian. Want to watch a bunch of MOBA players devolve into an UnstoppableRage? Just say "BR"[[labelnote:*]]To ask if any Brazilians are playing on the server.[[/labelnote]] or "[[AnnoyingLaugh huehuehue]]"[[labelnote:*]]An infamous laughter that is used sarcastically by everyone nowadays.[[/labelnote]]. It is not recommended that you take a drink whenever they start screaming racist comments, unless you are suicidal.

* Also noteworthy is that Brazil is the only independent American country that became [[UsefulNotes/TheEmpireOfBrazil an Empire]] for a lasting period of time[[note]]Mexico was an empire 1821-23 and 1864-67, and Haiti 1804-06 and 1849-59, but as you can see, they didn't exactly stick.[[/note]]. Its empire lasted more than half a century (1822-89) and is partially responsible for its large territory (Portugal ensured most of it by aggressive colonization and quite a bit of treaty-breaking). Brazil had two Emperors; the second, UsefulNotes/PedroII, is one of the most well-regarded monarchs in history. He was responsible for the modernization of his country, decades of constitutional government and the rule of law [[note]] which was ''remarkable'' in a Latin America that was dominated by military dictators and caudillos [[/note]], and literally ''starting'' Brazil's abolition movement by refusing to keep slaves. However, his lack of a surviving male heir and the ''incredibly'' [[TheChainsOfCommanding exhausting task]] of ruling meant that when overthrown in a coup, he chose a quiet exile despite having more than enough support to stay in power. In recent years, there have been calls by many Brazilians, jaded by the ineptitude of Brazil's various republics, to restore the monarchy.

** The lack of the rule of law and corruption. One unfortunate legacy of the 1889 coup is Brazil's occasional political instability and periods of military power. None of the various republics have lasted longer than the Constitution of the Empire, which has contributed to a legacy of corruption that not even Lula could eradicate fully. While modern Brazil is democratic, it struggles with a sclerotic legislative process and an inefficient bureaucracy.

** And other popular festivals/holidays as well, such as St. John's Day[[note]]which is typicaly commemorated on June 24th, but popular consciousness extends the celebrations throughout the entire month of June, due to St. Anthony's Day (June 13, a major festival in the Lusophone world because St. Anthony was from Lisbon) and St. Peter's Day (June 29) being close together with St. John's in the calendar[[/note]], where Brazilians, especially those from the Northeast, make bonfires and dance forró.

** And other popular festivals/holidays as well, such as St. John's Day[[note]]which is typicaly commemorated on June 24th, but popular consciousness extends the celebrations throughout the entire month of June, due to St. Anthony's Day (June 13) and St. Peter's Day (June 29) being close together with St. John's in the calendar[[/note]], where Brazilians, especially those from the Northeast, make bonfires and dance forró.

The '''Federative Republic of Brazil''' ('''Portuguese:''' ''República Federativa do Brasil'') is, by far, the largest country in Latin America and UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica. It is also the world's fifth largest country by area[[note]]after Russia, Canada, China, and the United States[[/note]] and sixth largest by population[[note]]after China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan[[/note]].

** The fact that Brazil was the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery in 1888 meant the landowning elite had never been too sympathetic on the issue of workers' rights. Brazil's agricultural workers continued to suffer abuse and exploitation for decades afterward, and any politician who tried to push some labor reform was denounced by the elite as a "[[RedScare communist]]" and threatened by the military.

* A nation is known for being "perpetually the power of the future that never seems to come." Several structural issues have held back Brazil and its potential.

** The lack of the rule of law and corruption. One unfortunate legacy of the 1889 coup is Brazil's occasional political instability and periods of military power. None of the various republics have lasted longer than the Constitution of the Empire, and this has contributed to a legacy of corruption that not even Lula could eradicate fully.