11/3/13

Hi Everyone,

Time is sure flying, here we are in November already!!

Il Volo is in Brazil and will give 7 concerts there starting on November 5th. I thought you might enjoy a short history of the largest country in South America.

Brazil i/brəˈzɪl/ (Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil, is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It is the world’s fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. It is the largest Lusophone country in the world, and the only one in the Americas.

Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 km (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas region of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos form part of Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile and occupies 47% of the continent of South America.

Brazil was a colony of Portugal beginning from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500, up until 1815, when it was elevated to the rank of kingdom upon the formation of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The colonial bond was in fact broken several years earlier, in 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese colonial empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, after French forces led by the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Portugal. Independence was achieved in 1822 with the formation of the Empire of Brazil, a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. The country became a presidential republic in 1889, when a military coup d’état proclaimed the Republic, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to the ratification of the first constitution in 1824. Its current Constitution, formulated in 1988, defines Brazil as a federal republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.

The Brazilian economy is the world’s seventh largest by nominal GDP and the seventh largest by purchasing power parity, as of 2012. A member of the BRIC group, Brazil has one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, and its economic reforms have given the country new international recognition and influence. Brazil’s national development bank (BNDES) plays an important role for the country’s economic growth. It mostly depends on its own money and invests in big local firms. The bank’s goal is to promote economic growth as well as to preserve the environment and protection of local communities.[20] Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, CPLP, Latin Union, the Organization of Ibero-American States, the Organization of American States, Mercosul and the Union of South American Nations. Brazil is one of 17 megadiverse countries, home to a variety of wildlife, natural environments, and extensive natural resources in a variety of protected habitats. Brazil is considered a middle power in international affairs, and has been identified as an emerging power.

Twitters, Tweets and Keeks:

Il Volo tweeted yesterday. “2nd show at #GranRex is done!! and we had the surprise to receive the Golden award pf #Masqueamor from Universal Music Argentina! Thank you #Argentina!!”

Gianluca tweeted to an Australian fan that they would be in Australia next year! He tweeted also ” Finally in Brazil, I must learn to speak Portuguese!!”

Piero tweeted 10 hrs ago, “Sao paulo…#Brazil!”

Ignazio has not tweeted, hopefully he’s laying around the pool, getting some rays!!!!

See Team Il Volo for 2 articles “Il Volo receives gold in Argentina (2nd show)” They received a gold disc for their “Mas Que Amor” album from Universal Music Argentina. See also “Il Volo, we are humble and simple”

All Things Il Volo has some good photos, see the one of Piero’s dad cooking!

It’s been an eventful few days for “Our Guys”, concerts, awards and even a little illness. Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca seem to have taken everything in stride as the professionals they are!! We are happy to see they have a few days off, they deserve them!!

We love you Il Volo, have fun and be well!!

Linda