Brazilia was constructed between 1956 and 1960 to provide for centralized government infrastructure and to help move development of the country inland.  The National District - Brazilia (which Brazilia alone has a population of 500,000 people) and it's suburbs have a total population of three million people.  Brazilia is surrounded by a man made lake that is deep and developed  by merging small rivers together.  Because of the need for moisture, many small ponds surround buildings in the area in order to enhance green areas.

During our tour we saw two beautiful cathedrals, one with walls of 8 inch square Murano  glass and  bronze doors and the other cathedral with Angels suspended from the ceiling with architecture that spiraled into a dome.  We went to the top of the radio/television tower to view the city from 75 meters up.  The tower was built by the president who had a vision to build Brazilia and designed the tower to connect north and south Brazil back in 1958. We saw the National Parliament offices and houses as well as their administration buildings. From that tour one could quickly draw comparisons between Washington DC and Brazilia.

After our tour and lunch we checked into the Royal Tulip Hotel which is just down the road from the Brazilian President's house (our equivalent to the White House). We have a group supper tonight at 8:00 pm local time.