Brazil has a rich history and culture. It is a perfect destination for tourists who want sun, sand, ocean, and a fun, friendly atmosphere. You probably already know a little about the country but here are a few facts about Brazil that you might not know.
Brazil is South America's largest country and it's also the fifth largest in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China and the United States, with an area of over 8.5 million square miles.
Brazil is also the fifth largest country in terms of its population size. Over 211 million people live here, though that's still around 120 million less than those who live in the USA!
Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and it's located in the central west region of the country. Unlike some of Brazil's historic cities, Brasilia was planned and developed from 1956 and became the capital of the country from 1960. From the sky, the central area of Brasilia is shaped like an airplane!
Sao Paulo is Brazil's largest city by far. In fact it is also the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the largest in the world. Nearly 20 million people live in Sao Paulo's Metro area; that's more than the whole of the state of New York!
Brazil was first explored by the Portuguese in April 1500, and they started their first settlement here in 1532. For nearly three hundred years following, this was a Portuguese colony and so today Portuguese remains the official language.
Brazil is a country of great diversity, and this isn't surprising when you think how much of the continent of South America it takes up! From its popular coastlines, to its lush mountains, and the rainforests of the Amazon, there is ample opportunity to experience nature in Brazil.
A large portion of the Amazon Basin sits within Brazil, and this means that there's also a large part of the world's biggest rain forest right here in Brazil too. It's amazing to think how much of the Amazon Basin remains unexplored with countless new species waiting to be discovered.
The spectacular Iguazu Falls is one of Brazil's most amazing natural sites and it's situated near the tri-border where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet. The scenery here is breathtaking and the Iguaçu National Park in which the falls are located is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Even Brazil's largest cities offer great scenery. The Sugarloaf Mountain in the heart of Rio de Janeiro provides a place to get away from the hustle of the city and to visit one of the most famous iconic images of Brazil, Christ the Redeemer statue.
Rio is also world famous for its carnival. The Carnaval is the largest of its kind in the world, sometimes attracting a couple million visitors, making this an incredible festival and one not to be missed!
Official statistics tell us that Brazil attracts around 5 million tourists every year.
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