The Flag of Brazil
The name Brazil comes from a tree named brazilwood.
The official name of Brazil is TheFederal Republic of Brazil,
Brazil is ademocratic federal republic.
The capital of Brazil isBrasilia.
The population of Brazil is183,888,841.
The official language if Brazil is Portuguese.
The Real (pronounce: Re-Al) is the currency of Brazil.
Brazil covers 3 time zones.
Brazil is one of the 77 founding members of the United Nations.
In area, Brazil is3,286,470 square miles (8,511,965 square kilometers).
The major mountain ranges of Brazil are the Serra do Mar and the Serra do Espinhaço.
The major rivers of Brazil are the Amazon, the São Francisco, the Paraná, and the Tocantin.
Brazil is the largest country in South America.
Brazil is the fifth largest nation in the world.
Brazil forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 7,400kmcoastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Brazil borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
Because Brazil is republic, it has a president, a National Congress and a legal system. From 1888 until recently, the country struggled with democracy. But in 1985, the military government was peacefully removed and by 1995, Brazil's politics and economy had become stable.
The Brazilian landscape is very varied.
Brazil is most well-known for its dense forests, including theAmazon, the world's largest rainforest.
There are also dry grasslands (called pampas), rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus (areas of level high ground) and a long coastal plain.
Northern Brazil is dominated by the Amazon River and the jungles that surround it.
Northern Brazil is dominated by the Amazon River and the jungles that surround it.
The Amazon is not one river but a network of many hundreds of waterways. Its total length stretches 6,840km, making it the longest river on Earth.
A Small Portion of the Amazon River and Jungles
Thousands of species live in the Amazon river including the infamous piranha and the boto or pink river dolphin.
Southeastern Brazil was once completely covered with dense forest. Now it is the country's industrial capital, home to Brazil's biggest cities: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Southeast Brazil covers only 11 percent of the country but 43 percent of the country's population lives there.
Most Brazilians are descended from three ethnic groups: Amerindians, European settlers (mainly from Portugal) and Africans. Starting in the 19th century, waves of immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and even Japan added to this mix.
The diversity of people has created a rich religious, musical and culinary culture.
Brazilians are football (soccer) crazy and the country has produced some very popular players.
Brazilians are football (soccer) crazy and the country has produced some very popular players.
Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup finals five times- more than any other nation.
Brazil is also home to the world's biggest carnival- the Rio Carnival. Each year in the days leading up to Lent, around 2 million people take to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to enjoy music, dancing, elaborate costumes and parades.
Brazil is also home to the world's biggest carnival- the Rio Carnival. Each year in the days leading up to Lent, around 2 million people take to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to enjoy music, dancing, elaborate costumes and parades.
The Rio de Janeiro Carnival
Brazil has the greatest variety of animals of any country in the world. It is home to 600 mammal species, about 1,500 fish species, about1,600 bird species and about 100,000different types of insects.
Brazil's jungles are home to most of its animal life there are also many unique species that live in the pampas and semi-desert regions too.
In the central-western part of Brazil sits a flat, swampy area called the Pantanal. It is a patchwork of flooded lagoons and small islands is the world's largest wetland. In this area live giant anacondas, huge guinea pig relatives called capybaras, and fierce South American alligators called caimans
In the central-western part of Brazil sits a flat, swampy area called the Pantanal. It is a patchwork of flooded lagoons and small islands is the world's largest wetland. In this area live giant anacondas, huge guinea pig relatives called capybaras, and fierce South American alligators called caimans
For thousands of years, people have been exploiting the jungles of Brazil. But since Europeans arrived about five centuries ago, forest destruction has become a major problem. Most of Brazil's Atlantic rainforest is now gone and huge tracts of the Amazon are disappearing every year. The government has established many national parks and refuges but these only cover around seven percent of the country.
Rainforest Destruction
Brazil has many different soils and climates so it can produce a great variety of crops. Its agricultural exports include sugarcane, latex, coffee, cocoa beans, cotton, soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits.
Until recently, scientists thought Brazil was first settled by Asians about 10,000 years ago. But new evidence shows there were people living there at least 32,000 years ago. Some experts think they may have arrived from islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Brazil was added to the map of the world during the great European explorations in the late 15th century led by Portugal and Spain. When Europeans first reached the coast of Brazil, the country was home to about 30 million indigenous people, or Amerindians. Today, only about 300,000 remain, living primarily in Brazil's remotest places.
Portugal established its first colony in Brazil in 1530. Colonists created sugarcane plantations along the coast and sent diamonds and gold back to Europe. Soon, people from West Africa were brought to Brazil to work as slaves. The discovery of large inland gold reserves brought thousands of people from the coasts and abroad to the interior of the country.
Brazil was added to the map of the world during the great European explorations in the late 15th century led by Portugal and Spain. When Europeans first reached the coast of Brazil, the country was home to about 30 million indigenous people, or Amerindians. Today, only about 300,000 remain, living primarily in Brazil's remotest places.
Portugal established its first colony in Brazil in 1530. Colonists created sugarcane plantations along the coast and sent diamonds and gold back to Europe. Soon, people from West Africa were brought to Brazil to work as slaves. The discovery of large inland gold reserves brought thousands of people from the coasts and abroad to the interior of the country.
In 1789, Brazilians tried to get rid of their Portuguese rulers. The rebellion was soon put down but it started a movement toward independence which was successfully achieved in 1822. Kings of Portuguese blood ruled until 1888 when military leaders and landowners expelled the king. This was also the year that slavery was abolished in Brazil.
The Rio de Janeiro Coastline
Millions of tourists visit Brazil every year.
There are around 2500 airports in Brazil.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) keeps a watchful eye over the people of Rio de Janeiro, It sits atop Mount Corcovado 2,300 feet (700 meters) above the city. It was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.