If I ask you what do you know about the country of Brazil, you’d probably say:
- Maradona (wrong, you’re thinking of Pele)
- The World Cup obsession
- Beautiful beaches
- Beautiful girls
Sounds about right, no?
At least, that’s what I can come up with off the top of my head regarding Brazil.
Today, it’s time to learn more about Brazil – one of the world’s strongest yet most corrupt economies.
READ: The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide.
Ready? Here are 101 facts you didn’t know about Brazil:
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in the world by both area and population.
The capital of Brazil is Brasília.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese.
Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822.
The current president of Brazil is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Brazil is a federal republic composed of 26 states and one federal district.
Brazil is home to the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world.
The Amazon River, the largest river in the world by volume, flows through Brazil.
Brazil has a coastline of over 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) along the Atlantic Ocean.
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous cities in Brazil and is known for its Carnival celebrations.
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and one of the largest cities in the world.
Brazil is the world’s leading producer of coffee.
Brazil is also a major producer of soybeans, beef, and sugar.
The Brazilian currency is the real.
Brazil is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken.
Brazil has a diverse population that includes people of European, African, and indigenous ancestry.
The Brazilian flag features a green field with a large yellow diamond in the center, inside of which is a blue circle with 27 stars.
The Amazon rainforest is home to a huge variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
The Brazilian Carnival is a four-day celebration held each year before Lent.
The Rio Carnival is the biggest and most famous Carnival in Brazil.
Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other country.
The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest stadiums in the world and was used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil has a diverse range of music styles, including samba, bossa nova, and forró.
The Brazilian national anthem is “Hino Nacional Brasileiro”.
Brazil has a tropical climate with a wet season from December to April and a dry season from May to November.
The largest city in the Amazon rainforest is Manaus.
The Brazilian government is a federal presidential representative democratic republic.
Brazil is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20.
The Amazon rainforest is often called the “lungs of the Earth” because it produces over 20% of the world’s oxygen.
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous landmarks in Brazil.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands 30 meters (98 feet) tall and weighs 635 metric tons (700 short tons).
The Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina are one of the largest waterfalls in the world.
Brazil is home to over 2,000 airports.
The Brazilian road system is the largest in South America.
Brazil has a high level of income inequality.
Brazil has a high crime rate, particularly in its urban areas.
The Brazilian legal system is based on civil law.
Brazil has a high level of religious diversity, with Roman Catholicism being the largest religion.
Brazil has a rich history of indigenous cultures, including the Guarani, Yanomami, and Kayapó.
The Brazilian government has implemented a number of programs to protect the Amazon rainforest, but deforestation remains a problem.
Brazil has a strong tradition of sports, including football (soccer), volleyball, and mixed martial arts.
The Carnival in Salvador, Bahia is the second largest Carnival celebration in Brazil.
The Brazilian film industry has gained international recognition, with directors like Fernando Meirelles and Kleber Mendonça Filho receiving critical acclaim.
Brazil has a rich cultural heritage, with contributions from African, European, and indigenous cultures.
The Pantanal wetlands in western Brazil are home to a vast array of wildlife, including jaguars, capybaras, and caimans.
The Brazilian National Museum, located in Rio de Janeiro, was destroyed by a fire in 2018, resulting in the loss of many valuable artifacts and specimens.
The Brazilian economy is the ninth largest in the world by nominal GDP.
The Brazilian education system is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14.
Brazil has a well-developed tourism industry, with attractions including beaches, wildlife reserves, and cultural sites.
Brazilian cuisine is diverse, with influences from indigenous, African, and European cultures.
The Brazilian national dish is feijoada, a stew made with black beans and various meats.
Brazilian coffee is known for its mild flavor and low acidity.
Brazil is the world’s second largest producer of ethanol, a biofuel made from sugarcane.
The Brazilian healthcare system is a mix of public and private services, with the public system serving the majority of the population.
The Brazilian military is composed of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Brazil has a rich literary tradition, with authors like Jorge Amado, Clarice Lispector, and Machado de Assis gaining international acclaim.
The Brazilian music genre choro is considered the first uniquely Brazilian style of music.
The Brazilian favelas, or shantytowns, are home to millions of people and are often associated with poverty and crime.
Brazil has a large and diverse fashion industry, with designers like Alexandre Herchcovitch and Oskar Metsavaht gaining international recognition.
Brazil has hosted several major international sporting events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The Brazilian space program has launched satellites and conducted scientific research, including studies on the Amazon rainforest.
The Brazilian Carnival is known for its colorful costumes and elaborate parades.
Brazil has a rich tradition of dance, including styles like samba, forró, and capoeira.
The Brazilian flag was designed by a group of intellectuals in 1889.
Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world by population.
The Brazilian education system includes public and private universities, as well as technical schools and vocational programs.
Brazil has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, with São Paulo hosting one of the largest Pride parades in the world.
The Brazilian government has implemented a number of social welfare programs, including Bolsa Família, which provides financial assistance to low-income families.
The Brazilian automotive industry is one of the largest in the world, with major manufacturers like Fiat, Ford, and Volkswagen operating in the country.
Brazil has a rich tradition of folk art, including ceramics, wood carving, and embroidery.
The Brazilian currency, the real, was introduced in 1994 to stabilize the economy.
Brazil has a strong tradition of dance and music festivals, including the Festival de Parintins in the Amazon region.
Brazil is the world’s largest producer of orange juice.
The Brazilian legal system includes both federal and state courts.
Brazil is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Iguaçu National Park, the Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia, and the Brasília Modern Ensemble.
The Brazilian coastline is the longest in South America, stretching over 7,000 kilometers.
The Brazilian state of Bahia is known for its vibrant culture, including music, dance, and cuisine.
The Brazilian state of São Paulo is the most populous in the country and is considered the economic hub of Brazil.
The Amazon rainforest, which covers over 60% of Brazil, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Brazil is the largest producer of soybeans in the world.
The Brazilian football team has won the FIFA World Cup a record five times.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is a Formula One race held annually in São Paulo.
Brazil has a diverse range of ecosystems, including rainforests, savannas, wetlands, and coastal regions.
The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is known for its rich mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and iron ore.
The Brazilian state of Pernambuco is known for its vibrant music and dance traditions, including frevo and maracatu.
Brazil is the largest producer of beef in the world.
The Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is known for its gaucho culture, which includes horse riding, cattle herding, and traditional music.
Brazil is home to several indigenous tribes, including the Yanomami, the Guarani, and the Xavante.
The Brazilian state of Paraná is known for its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife, including jaguars, toucans, and howler monkeys.
The Brazilian state of Ceará is known for its beautiful beaches and sand dunes, including the famous dunes of Jericoacoara.
Brazil has a diverse range of religions, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, and Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Umbanda.
The Brazilian state of Santa Catarina is known for its stunning coastline, including the popular resort town of Florianópolis.
Brazil has a rich tradition of street art, with cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro featuring murals and graffiti by local and international artists.
The Brazilian state of Goiás is known for its natural beauty, including the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.
Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world.
The Brazilian state of Espírito Santo is known for its beautiful beaches, including the popular resort town of Guarapari.
Brazil is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Cathedral of Brasília.
Brazil is a founding member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20.
The Brazilian national cocktail is the caipirinha, made with cachaça (a Brazilian liquor), lime, sugar, and ice.
