Brasília, BrazilBrasília, Brazil
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Author: seier+seier+seier
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Brasília is a planned city created to be the capital of Brazil. The name is derived from the Latin term for Brazil. The federal capital area covers 5,802 sq km (2,204.2 sq mi) on the Planalto Central plateau, at an average elevation of 1,172 m (3,845 ft) above sea level. It has a population of 2.6 million people, and is the fourth largest city in Brazil.

Brasília is in the Brasília Official Time Zone, which is UTC-3, and in summer UTC-2. The rest of the country is timed in accordance to Brasília, and are in zones ranging from -2 behind Brasília to +1 ahead of Brasília. A proposal to set the whole country to just one time zone is presently under consideration.

Palácio do Itamaraty, BrasíliaPalácio do Itamaraty, Brasília
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Author: A C Moraes
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Brasília was established in 1956, and construction took place over a period of 41 months until April 1960. The chief urban planner was Lúcio Costa, who won the job through a competition, while Oscar Niemeyer was the main architect. The founding of Brasília fulfilled an article in the Brazilian constitution dating to 1891, which states that the capital of Brazil should be relocated from Río de Janeiro to a new site at the center of the country. The idea was first hatched even earlier, in 1827, who advised Emperor Dom Pedro I on such a plan. The aim was by shifting the capital to the interior, it will help to redistribute Brazil's population.

The city of Brasília grew faster than expectation, so much so that modifications had to be made to the original plan. In the original plan, the streets would have no traffic signals. Today that is no longer true, and like many major cities in Brazil, Brasília has its share of traffic jams and parking problems.

Interior of Santuário Dom Bosco, BrasíliaInterior of Santuário Dom Bosco, Brasília
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Author: Bianchon


Brasília experiences a tropical savanna climate. Temperature is quite uniform throughout the year, although the warmest month tends to be September, which registers an average high of 28°C (82°F). On the other hand, June and July tends to have the lowest average low temperature, at 11°C (52°F). The wet months in Brasília are from November to January, with total precipitation for December at 24 cm (9.4 in).

UNESCO Recognition

Brasília was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Interior of Catedral de BrasíliaInterior of Catedral de Brasília
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Visiting Brasília

The most practical way to reach Brasília is by flight. You can easily fly to the city from any major city in Brazil. The Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (BSB) also gets non-stop flights from major cities in the Americas.

Arriving at the airport, you can take the Executive Bus to reach the hotel zone. The fare is R$8. Taxis are also available, of course, and the 20-minute trip by taxis will set you back between R$30 to R$40.

Torre TV BrasíliaTorre TV Brasília
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Author: Gribiche
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Places of Interest in Brasília

  1. Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida
    The iconic cathedral of Brasília, another masterpiece by Oscar Niemeyer.

  2. Catedral Militar de Nossa Senhora da Paz
    A brilliant white triangular-shaped church designed by Niemeyer's mentor Le Corbusier.

  3. Congresso Nacional e Anexos
    The most famous building complex in Brasília designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the Modernist style.

  4. Eixo Monumental
    The main boulevard in Brasília.

  5. Esplanada dos Ministérios
    Avenue on which the complex housing the various ministries is located.

  6. Memorial dos Povos Indigenas
    Memorial, built to resemble a traditional longhouse, celebrates the indigenous people of Brazil.

  7. Memorial Juscelino Kubitschek
    Memorial to the Brazilian president (1956-61) who was instrumental in getting Brasília constructed.

  8. Palácio da Justiça
    The palace of justice is a beautiful structure in the Modernist style.

  9. Palácio do Itamaraty
    The Foreign Ministry Building, located behind the Supremo Tribunal Federal.

  10. Palácio do Planalto
    Office of the President of Brazil, also behind the Supremo Tribunal Federal, is a fine example of Modernist architecture by Oscar Niemeyer.

  11. Quartel General do Exército
    A vast complex housing the headquarters of the Brazilian Army.

  12. Santuário Dom Bosco
    One of the finest churches in Brasília dedicated to honor Italian saint Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco, who once had a dream of Brasília before it was founded.

  13. Supremo Tribunal Federal
    The supreme court of Brazil.

  14. Templo da Boa Vontade
    Literally the Temple of Good Will, a religous building to the Religion of God, as described by José de Paiva Netto.

  15. Torre TV Brasília
    The Brasília TV Tower has an observation deck which offers panoramic views of the city.

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