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Brazil

Iguazu Falls are a series of waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border between the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Walkways allow close views of the falls from both countries.
Image: Martin St-Amant

Location map of Brazil

Flag of Brazil

Destination "Brazil," a Nations Online Project profile of the country that occupies about 50% of South America. Brazil is located in the central-eastern part of the continentby far the largest portion of it lies south of the equator.

Border countries are Argentina Bolivia Colombia French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguayand Venezuela. The country has an almost 7,500 km long coastline at the Atlantic Ocean.

The country is vastit is divided into 26 states and one Federal District. Out of the 26 statesonly nine are landlocked. Brazil covers an area of 8,514,877 km² (3,287,597 sq mi)making it the fifth-largest country in the world and also the largest country in South America and in the Southern Hemisphere (and yesit is larger than Australia by some 800,000 square kilometers). Comparedit is slightly larger than 15 times the size of Franceand even slightly larger than the contiguous United States.

Brazil has a population of more than 212 million people (in 2024)making it the seventh most populous country in the world and the most populous nation in South America. The national capital is Brasíliaa planned city atop the Brazilian highlands. The largest city and Brazil's economic capital is Sao Pauloprobably the most famous city is Rio de Janeiro. Spoken language is (Brazilian) Portuguesethis variety of the Portuguese language is a relict of the Portuguese colonization of the Americas. Brazil is the country with the second-highest Christian population in the worldwith 53% Roman Catholics and 27% Protestants (in 2023).

Federative Republic of Brazil | Republica Federativa do Brasil

Background:

Following three centuries under the rule of PortugalBrazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South AmericaBrazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior.

Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor poolBrazil became Latin America's leading economic power by the 1970s. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

Country Profile

Official Name:
Republica Federativa do Brasil
short form: Brasil
international long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
international short form: Brazil

ISO Country Code: brBRA

Actual Time:
BrasiliaRio de Janeiro Mon-Feb-9 15:15
Local Time = Brazil lies within 4 different time zones.
Southern Brazil uses daylight saving time from October until February: +1 hour

Country Calling Code: +55

Capital City: Brasília (pop. 2.1 million)
Agência Brasília
The Federal District Government of Brasilia. (in Portuguese)

Other Cities:
Sao Paulo Rio de Janeiro Belo Horizonte Salvador Fortaleza Recife Porto Alegre Curitiba

Government:
Type: Federative Republic.
Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal).

Geography:
Location: Eastern South Americabordering the Atlantic Ocean.
Area: 8.5 million km² (3 290 000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than the USA
Terrain: Dense rain forests in northern regions including the Amazon Basin; semiarid along the northeast coast; mountainshillsand rolling plains in the southwestincluding Mato Grosso; and coastal lowland.

Climate: Mostly tropical or semitropical with temperate zone in the south.

People:
Nationality: Brazilian.
Population: est. 212 million (in 2024)
Ethnic groups: Brazil's population consists of approximately 45% Pardo (mixed)43% Whiteand 10% Black people.
To the indigenous peoples of South America were added successive waves of Europeans (mainly Portuguese) and Africans (mostly from the sub-Saharan west coastbelonging to the Bantu and to the Sudanic (Yoruba) ethnic groups).
Religion: (in 2023) Roman Catholic (53%)Protestant (27%).
Language: Brazilian Portuguese.
Literacy: 95% of the adult population.

Transparency: Rank 94 (out of 180 countries); Score 38on a scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). Brazil is ranked in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 between Ecuador and Ethiopia.

GNI per capita PPP: $ 18,600 (2023)

Natural resources: Iron oremanganesebauxitenickeluraniumgemstones oilwoodand aluminum. Brazil has 12% of the world's fresh water.

Agriculture products: Brazil is the biggest exporter of coffeesoybeans beefsugar caneethanol and frozen chickens.
Other products: wheatricecorncocoaand citrus.

Industries: Textilesshoeschemicalscementlumberiron oretin steelaircraftmotor vehicles and partsother machinery and equipment.

Exports - commodities: transport equipmentiron oresoybeansfootwearcoffeeautomobiles

Exports partners: China 26%US 11%Argentina 5%Netherlands 3%Spain 3% (2022)

Imports - commodities: machineryelectrical and transport equipmentchemical productsoilautomotive partselectronics

Imports partners: China 24%US 18%Germany 5%Argentina 5%India 4% (2022)

Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)

Official Sites of Brazil

Palácio Nereu RamosBrazilian National Congress building in Brasilia

Palácio Nereu Ramos is Brazil's National Congress building; it is located in BrasiliaBrazil's planned capital. The International Style building was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1960.
Image: Donatas Dabravolskas

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Governo do Brasil
Federal Republic of Brazilthe official Brazil Government Page.

Presidência da República
The President of the Federal Republic of Brazil. (in Portuguese)

Ministério das Relações Exteriores
The Ministry of Foreign Relations.

Diplomatic Missions
Missão do Brasil junto às Nações Unidas
Brazilian Mission to the UN
Embassy of Brazil in the USA
Washington D.C.
Embassy of Brazil in the United Kingdom
London
Brasilianische Botschaft in Deutschland
Berlin
Ambassade du Brésil en France
Paris

Brazilian Missions Abroad
Brazilian Missions around the World.
Foreign Missions in Brazil
Diplomatic Missions accredited in Brazil.

Statistics
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística
Up-to-date statistics and geographical data. (in Portuguese and English)

Maps of Brazil

Map of Brazil (click map to enlarge)
Image: © nationsonline.org

Maps

Map of Brazil
Political Map of Brazil.

Administrative Map of Brazil
Map is showing Brazil's 26 states plus the location of the Federal district.

Google Earth Brazil
Searchable map and satellite view of Brazil.

Google Earth Brasilia
Searchable map and satellite view of Brazil's capital city.

Google Earth Rio de Janeiro
Searchable map and satellite view of Rio de Janeiro.

Google Earth São Paulo
Searchable map and satellite view of São Paulolargest city in Brazil.

Information and searchable maps with satellite views of other Brazilian cities:
Aracaju Belém Belo Horizonte Boa Vista Campo Grande Cuiabá Curitiba Florianópolis Fortaleza Goiânia João Pessoa Macapá Maceió Manaus Natal Palmas Porto Alegre Porto Velho Recife Rio Branco Salvador (da Bahia)São Luís Teresina Vitória

Map of South America
Reference map of South America.

News from Brazil

Brazil Newspapers

Online News from Brazil

Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC)
The Brazilian public company manages the federal government's broadcast networkon its website it provides also national news (in Portuguese).

BrazilGovNews
Brazilian government news.

Brazzil
Brazilian magazine.
Correio Braziliense
News from Brazil. (in Portuguese)
O Estado de S. Paulo
Brazilian news. (in Portuguese)
Folha de São Paulo
Brazil's largest daily. (in Portuguese)
Folha International
English language news version of Folha de S.Paulo.
Jornal do Brasil
Rio's daily newspaperwith Brazilian and international news. (in Portuguese)
Globo Online
Brazilian and international news. (in Portuguese)
Universo Online
Brazilian magazine. (in Portuguese)

International News sources
The Rio Times
Daily news on Brazil from WorldNews Network.
The Guardian: Brazil

Arts & Culture of Brazil

A Samba school parades in the Sambadrome Marquês de SapucaíRio de Janeiro.
Image: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

Arts & Culture

Art & culture of Brazil
A guide to Brazil's culture from the cultural heritage to popular art.

Cinemabrasil
Brazilian movies.

Fundação Biblioteca Nacional
Brazil's National Library.

LIESA
Official site of the Independent League of Rio de Janeiro's Samba Schools.
Olodum
Official site of the Afro-Brazilian creators of samba-reggae from Bahia.
Rio Carnival
The Guide for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

KondZilla
A music video site fearuring Brazilian Funk ostentação.

Sepultura
Brazil's heavy metal band.

Sports
Abadá-Capoeira
The Afro-Brazilian dance and martial art.

Soccer - Futebol
Confederação Brasileira de Futebol
Football Federation of Brazil.
Federação Metropolitana de Futebol - FMF

Murals in Pelourinhoan urban quarter in the Historic Center of Salvador Bahia.
Image: Wellington Da Costa Gomez

Business & Economy of Brazil

Banco Central do Brasil
The Central Bank of Brazil.
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES)
The most important state-owned development bank in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro Stock Exchange (BVRJ)
BVRJ was Brazil's second largest exchange it merged with Bovespa in 2002.

B3
B3 S.A. - Brasilformerly BM&FBOVESPAis the São Paulo's Stock Exchangefounded in 1890. Until the mid-1960sBovespa and the other Brazilian stock markets were state-owned companies. In 2002 Bovespa merged with the Rio De Janeiro Stock Exchange. In 2007 the Exchange became a for-profit company.

Ministério da Economia - Governo Federal
Website of the Ministry of the Economy (in Portuguese)

Confederaçaõ Nacional Da Industria - National Confederation of Industry - CNI
The Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) is the main representative of the Brazilian industry.

Transportation
Airlines
Major airlines in Brazil
Avianca Brazil
Oceanair Linhas Aéreas is a Brazilian airline based in São Paulo. From its hubs at São Paulo Congonhas airportRio De Janeiro Santos Dumont airport and Brasília International Airport it operates mainly domestic passenger services.
Gol Transportes Aéreos
GOL is the largest low-cost airline in South Americathe airline is based in São Paulo.
LATAM Airlines Brasil
Formerly TAM AirlinesBrazil's and Latin America's largest airline. Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines merged in 2012.
Total Linhas Aéreas
Airline based in Belo Horizonte. Total Linhas Aéreas operates mainly cargo and some charter services within Brazil.

Airports
Brasília International Airport
The international airport serving the federal capital Brasilia.
Congonhas Airport
One of the three commercial airports serving São Paulo.
Guarulhos International Airport
Also known as Cumbica Airportis the main international airport serving São Paulo.
Galeão International Airport
Rio de Janeiro's International Airport and one of Brazil's busiest international airports.
Belo Horizonte International Airport
The airport is serving Belo Horizonte and its metropolitan area.

Tourism in Brazil

Caracol Falls (Cascata do Caracol)Caracol State ParkBrazil

Probably the most iconic symbols of Brazil can be seen in this picturethe statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain and the 396 m (1,299 ft) high Sugarloaf Mountain in the background on the right.
Image: Rafael Rabello de Barros

Destination Brazil - Travel and Tour Guides

Discover Brazil:
Cities: Brasilia São Paulo (the financial capital of BrazilIbirapuera ParkPaulista Avenue)Rio de Janeiro (Christ the RedeemerCorcovadoSugarloaf MountainSanta Teresa neighborhoodTijuca ForestCopacabanaIpanema)Belo Horizonte Fortaleza (the capital of Ceará stateis one of the top destinations for business and also great for a holiday on its awesome beaches)Manaus (Amazon Theatre)Natal (Natal Dunes State ParkForte dos Reis Magos)Recife Porto Alegre Salvador (da Bahia).
Iguazu FallsFernando de Noronha archipelago Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Find accommodationattractionsfestivalseventstours and much more.

Visit Brasil
Official tourism website of Brasil.

The Brazilian Tourist Board
Brazil information on travel and tourism with news and photos.

Férias Brasil
Vacations Brazil is a comprehensive tourist guide in Portuguese.

Wikivoyage Brazil
The free worldwide travel guide to Brazil.

Chapada DiamantinaBahia stateBrazil

Chapada Diamantinathe Diamond Plateau is situated in Bahia state in the north east of Brazil. With its canyonsriversand waterfalls the plateau is one of the best destinations for trekking in the country.
Image: Cleide Isabel

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cave art at Toca da Entrada do Caldeirão dos RodriguesBrazil

Cave art at Toca da Entrada do Caldeirão dos RodriguesSerra da Capivara National Parkan UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: Py4nf

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil

There are 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil14 cultural7 naturaland one mixed. In addition22 properties are included in the UNESCO Tentative Listan inventory of those properties which a State Party intends to consider for nomination. (see the complete List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil)

Historic Town of Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the center of the gold rush in the time of Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. The town was founded at the end of the 17th century.

Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda
Founded in the 16th century and rebuilt by the Portuguese after being looted and burned by the Dutch. The town is linked to the sugar-cane industry and Brazil's economy based on slaverywhich began long before the first Portuguese settlement was established in 1532.

Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia
Salvador de Bahia was the capital of the Portuguese colony from 1549 to 1763. The port of Salvador de Bahia witnessed the fusion of EuropeanAfrican and Native American cultures. It was alsostarting in 1558the first slave market in the New Worldwith slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. The city has managed to preserve many outstanding Renaissance buildings. A special feature of the old town are the colorful housesoften decorated with fine stucco work.

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas
Congonhas is a historical city located in the Brazilian state of Minas. The sanctuary in Minais Geraissouth of Belo Horizonte was built in the second half of the 18th century. the s was created by Aleijadinhoone of the outstanding artists in the baroque in the world.

Serra da Capivara National Park
The area of Serra da Capivara hosts one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americascontaining evidence and artifacts that have forced a major reevaluation of basic traditional theories about the origins of human settlement in the Americas.
Over 300 archaeological sites have been found within the parkmost of which consist of rock and wall paintings dating to 50,000-30,000 years before present.

Church and Convent of São Francisco within the Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahiaa UNESCO World Heritage SiteBrazil

Church and Convent of São Francisco within the Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahiaa UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: Niciariccio

Education in Brazil

Palácio Universitário campus Rio de Janeiro

Palácio Universitáriothe 19th-century neoclassical building serves as the campus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Image: Fulviusbsas

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio De Janeirofounded in 1941.

UCAM - Universidade Candido Mendes
Candido Mendes University. Latin America's oldest private university was established in 1902.

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
UFRJ is one of the largest federal universities in the country.

Universidade de São Paulo
Sao Paulo University. USP is a major institution of higher learning and research in Brazil.

Environment & Nature

God's Finger rockformation at Serra dos Órgãos National Park

Rockformations with Dedo de Deus (God's Finger) peak in the backgroundSerra dos Órgãos National ParkRio de Janeiro stateBrazil.
Image: Carlos Perez Couto

Amazonia - Amigos da Terra
Friends of the Earth Brazil acts to promote the sustainable use of forest products the prevention of firesupporting isolated communities and the development and monitoring of public policies.

Greenpeace Brazil
The Brazilian section of Greenpeace.

WWF Brasil
World Wide Fund for Nature in Brazil (in Portuguese).

Caracol Falls (Cascata do Caracol)Caracol State ParkBrazil

Caracol Falls Brazil (Cascata do Caracol)the 130 m (426-foot) waterfall is located about 7.00 km (4.35 miles) from CanelaBrazil in Caracol State Park.
Image: Tiago Fioreze

Brazil History

Painting: Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral landing in Porto Seguro

Brazil was officially "discovered" in 1500when a fleet commanded by Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabralon its way to Indialanded in Porto Seguro.
Painting: Oscar Pereira da Silva (1865–1939)

A Brief History of Brazil
A New York Times article about Brazil's history.
Brazil: Five Centuries of Change
Brazil's history - site contains the second edition of Thomas E. Skidmore’s textbook Brazil: Five Centuries of Changeby Brown University Library.
The cradle of Brazil's history
Brazil's history in the São Paulo region.
Arquivo Nacional
The National Archive of Brazil.
Museu Histórico Nacional
The National Museum of History. (in Portuguese)

Indigenous People of Brazil

Baré peopleComunity Nova EsperançaBrazil

Comunity Nova EsperançaBaré people. Cuieiras rivera tributary of the Rio NegroAmazoniaBrazil.
Image: Daniel Zanini H.

Brazilian Indians
Survival page about Brazilian native people.

FUNAI Fundação Nacional do IÍndio
National Indio Foundation.

The Uncontacted Indians of Brazil
Website by Survival Internationala global movement for tribal peoples’ rightsthe site provides also a Map of Indian Tribes of Brazil.

Museo do Índio
The Indian museum with information about Brazilian's indigenous people.

Instituto Socioambiental
Socio-Environmental Institutea private non-profit institutionestablished to propose integrated solutions to social and environmental issues. (An English version)

OPAN
Operação Amazônia Nativa is Brazil's first indigenous non-governmental organization; it promotes and supports projects of the aboriginal communities in the regions Center-West and North of Brazil. (in Portuguese)

Indigenous peoples in Brazil
Wikipedia articel about Indigenous peoples in Brazil.

Additional Information

Exploora
Brazilian internet directory and search engine. (in Portuguese)

Additional Information on Brazil

Amnesty International: Brazil
Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization focused on human rights.

BBC Country Profile: Brazil
Country profiles by the British public service broadcaster.

BTI Transformation Index Brazil
Brazil country report by Bertelsmann Stiftung.

FAO: Brazil
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Brazil.

Freedom House: Brazil
The U.S. government-funded non-profit organization whose goal is to promote liberal democracies worldwide.

GlobalEDGE: Brazil
Brazil ranking by the Global business knowledge portal.

The Heritage Foundation: Brazil
Index of Economic Freedom by The Heritage Foundationan American conservative think tank.

Human Rights Watch: Brazil
HRW conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

OEC: Brazil
The Observatory of Economic Complexity provides the latest international trade data.

Reporters Without Borders: Brazil
RSF (Reporters sans frontières) is an international NGO that defends and promotes media freedom.

US Library of Congress / Country Studies / Brazil
A Library of Congress country study.

Wikipedia: Brazil
Wikipedia's Brazil page in many languages.

The CIA World Factbook -- Brazil
CIA World Factbook intelligence on Brazil.