New Cosmological Data and the `Best-Fit' FRW Universe

Observational tests for the homogeneity of the Universe on large scales are reviewed. Assuming the Cosmological Principle we then estimate cosmological parameters by joint analysis of the Cosmic Microwave Background, Supernovae Ia, peculiar velocities, cluster abundance and redshift surveys. Our results are consistent with results obtained by other groups, suggesting a best-fit FRW Universe with \omegam = 1 -\lambda \approx 0.3 and $H_0 \approx 75$ km/sec/Mpc. We point out some potential problems with this currently popular model.Comment: Review talk at "X Encontro Nacional de Astronomia e Astrofisica", Lisbon, 2000, eds,. J. Lemos et al. (16 pages, 5 figures