| BRASIL - December 2003 |
| Claire Rosemary Jane, Children's Author |
| Homepage Index page Londrina University Rio de Janeiro Travelling around Rio Iguacu Falls Sao Francisco Enseada Pousada Da Ilha El Misti Hostel Carima Hotel Currency. |
| Details of my visit to Londrina University will appear on my main website at http://clairerosemaryjane.co.uk |
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| Currency |
| The currency used by Brasil is the Real (pronounouced hayow). It was introduced to replace the previous monetary system, (on a one for one basis against the American Dollar) in 1993. Currently 5 Reis (pronounced hayice) are worth about � 1-00 in English currency , or 1.78 US dollars, as at mid January 2004. The paper denominations are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Real notes, and, (unlike the American Dollar which are all one colour, a uniform and insipid green, the infamous "greenback"), are all different colours. So the paper currency is easy and straightforward. However it is a totally different matter with the coins. The denominations are 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavo. They may be copper or they may silver, and you may well find the same looking coin with a different value stamped on it. So care is needed when giving and receiving change to check the face values carefully, I was told that there was a shortage of 1 centavo pieces, and although the Metro seemed to have plenty of these, it was a common experience for change to be proferred to the nearest 5 centivos in the shops. But with one centivo being worth 1/5th of a British penny it was just too small for a British visitor to worry about! |
| Visit to Brazil |