SHOPPING IN BRAZIL:    The Federative Republic of Brazil occupies roughly half of South America, covering most of the northeastern and central parts of the continent, extending well into the Atlantic Ocean, and  comparable in size to the continental United States.  The population is app. 188,000,000.  Brazil’s capital is Brazilia and its largest cities include Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.  A major portion of the country is dense rain forest.  Although there is a wide gap between “classes”, the economy is well-developed and presents substantial opportunity for shopping in Brazil.  Brazilians are fashion conscious and shopping in Brazil for stylish everyday wear and high-fashion couture is a pleasure in the larger East coast cities.  You’ll find a full assortment of shops as well as department stores, and shopping in Brazil is also enhanced by modern shopping malls.  Rich in natural resources, shopping in Brazil features a thriving jewelry trade.  Shopping in Brazil also includes an impressive home furnishings industry. In addition to stores carrying excellent Brazilian merchandise, shopping in Brazil also includes a wide variety of brands popular in the United States.  Don’t miss the excellent book shops when shopping in Brazil, particularly for hard-to-find and antique volumes.  The food is excellent and shopping in Brazil includes sampling the delicious rice, bean and meat dishes that artfully combine Portuguese, African and other cuisines.