Debt - external:
$222.4 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:
$30 billion IMF disbursement (2002)
Currency:
real (BRL)
Currency code:
BRL
Exchange rates:
reals per US dollar - 2.92 (2002), 2.36 (2001), 1.83 (2000), 1.81
(1999), 1.16 (1998)
note: from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate
was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the
official rate floats independently with respect to the US dollar
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Brazil
Telephones - main lines in use:
17.039 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.4 million (1997)
Telephone system:
general assessment: good working system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 64 earth stations
international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region
east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3
satellite earth station