Information about Brazil and Fortaleza
Host City
Fortaleza (Fortress) is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.55
million, Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of 313 square kilometres (121 sq mi) and the
highest demographic density in the country (8,001 per km²). To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to
the south are the municipalities of Pacatuba, Eusébio, Maracanaú and Itaitinga;
the municipalities of Pacatuba, to the east is the municipality of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the
west is the municipality of Caucaia. Residents of the city are known as Fortalezenses. Fortaleza is one of the
three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador. The city will be one of the host
cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which Brazil is the host nation.
Beaches. Despite being one of smallest States in Brazil, Ceará has one of the longest coastlines in the country.
Fortaleza has some of the nicest urban beaches in Brazil, while Ceará has well preserved, nearly wild,
unexplored beaches.
Food, States in the Northeastern corner of Brazil (Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas
and Sergipe) have some geographical features in common, which reflects in the culinary. Except for a narrow
strip along the coast, the soil of the Northeast is not fertile; the climate is semi-arid, with high temperatures
and low pluviosity. This has always made difficult the cultivation of permanent cultures. Another major
component of the Northeastern food is also related to the adverse climate conditions. Because of the poor soil
conditions, for a long time the drier zones of Ceará were used for cattle raising; the cattle was sent to the
Southern States, to be used both as food and as work force in the farms. How to preserve the meat, in a time
when there were no refrigerators? Farmers of Ceará developed a method which permitted to keep the food
for a longer time. The meat was cut and hung on lines, exposed to the sun; the sun evaporated the water, and
most bacteria which deteriorate the meat. Later, the dry meat was kept in salt, which is a water aglutinator
and avoids the meat becoming humid again. This is a process similar to the production of jerked beef.
The meat produced by this process is called "carne de sol" (meat of sun); in the southern States, it is called
"carne seca" (dry meat). Even with the new technologies, carne de sol is still produced and consumed in large
scale in the Northeast; the meat is surprisingly tasteful and tender.
Conference Venue
Fábrica de Negócios (The Business Factory) was built where the first branch of the food industry emerged
belonging to M. economic group Dias Branco, called Fortaleza Factory. This worked for 29 years at the site,
from 1951 until 1980 when it was moved to its current headquarters in the city of Eusebius. The old factory
facilities were deactivated from 1957 until 2008, the year that began the works of the largest and most
modern center for conferences and events.
Conference Hotels
We have arranged special rates with a number of hotels close to the conference venue. Reservation details
and prices can be found here
Climate
Fortaleza has a tropical savanna climate with dry winters. During the conference dates the average daily
maximum temperature was between 29°C and 31°C. During night time it cooled down to temperatures
around 25°C. On average in April there were 3 days with precipitation. On average there was a gentle breeze
of 3 Bft.
Language
Brazil’s official language is Brazilian Portuguese.
Customs & Immigration
At immigration, non-Brazilians must have their passport, visa (if required) and any other immigration
formalities checked. Like most airports, the airports in Brazil have different lines for national passport holders
and foreign visitors. Foreign passport holders should make sure they get their passports stamped and that they
retain half of the immigration form they fill in on arrival. Visitors who miss getting their passport stamped or
who lose the form will have to get clearance from the Federal Police to leave the country and may have to pay
a fine.
For more information about passport and visa requirements please click here
Currency
The currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real (BRL) R$. There are coins of 1,5,10,25 & 50 Centavos and 1 Real,
notes consist of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Real.
Most major credit cards are accepted in Brazil.
Business Hours
Banks: Most of the major banks are Brazilian but many foreign banks will have an agreement with one or more
of the major Brazilian banks. Banks operate Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Petrol Stations are allowed to operate 24 hours a day, although not all of them do so.
Shopping Centres: Monday to Saturday between 10am and 10pm. Some of the large shopping centres, are
also open on Sunday between 3pm and 9pm.
Shops: Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm, and Saturdays between 9am and 1pm.
Supermarkets: Monday to Saturday between 8am and 10pm. A limited number also open on Sundays or are
open 24 hours.
Health & Insurance
Brazil has an excellent network of private hospitals in the major metropolitan centres. Private medical care is
expensive, so it is advisable that all visitors take out medical insurance prior to their arrival. Even without
insurance, Brazil has a public health service that will look after foreign visitors in an emergency.
Tipping
Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or more to the
total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so. Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers,
although they may round the total up.
Electricity
Voltage
Frequency
110 V / 220 V
60 Hz
Electrical Outlet
Type C
Comments
* Outlets are often a
combination of Type A
and C, and can accept
either plug. In the states
of Bahia, Parana
(including Curitiba), Rio
de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and
Minas Gerais, voltage
found may be 127V,
though 220V is probably
found in hotels. Fortaleza
has 240V.
Type B
Type A