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Brazil Facts

Brazil Facts
The country of Brazil's official name is the Federative Republic of Brazil. It is located in South America. Brazil shares its northern border with Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and French Guiana. It is bordered to the west by Bolivia and Peru, and its northwest borders Columbia. Brazil's southwest borders Argentina and Paraguay and its south borders Uruguay. Brazil is the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas. Human remains have been found in Brazil dating back 11,000 years. Prior to the arrival of European explorers and settlers, Brazil had been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous people.
Interesting Brazil Facts:
The name Brazil originates from a tree called the brasilwood. It is a dark rosewood tree that was originally Brazil's main export. Exporting Brazilian rosewood is now illegal.
The official language in Brazil is Portuguese. Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.
There are an additional 180 native languages spoken in Brazil.
By both population and land area, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. In 2012 the population was approximately 194 million.
Brazil encompasses an area of 3,287,612 square miles, equal to almost half of South America (47%).
Brazil has 4,655 miles of coastline.
Brazil's capital city is Brasilia and its largest city is Sao Paulo.
Other major cities in Brazil include Fortaleza, Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro.
There are 13 cities in the country of Brazil with more than one million residents.
When the Portuguese arrived in the Brazilian region in 1500 they claimed the land for Portugal.
Brazil gained its independence in 1822. Brazilians celebrate their Independence Day on September 7th each year.
Every country in South America borders Brazil except for Ecuador and Chile.
Brazil is so large that there are three time zones in the country.
There were 77 founding members of the United Nations. Brazil was one of them.
The Amazon River, which runs through Brazil, is the second longest river in the world. The Nile is the longest.
Approximately 60% of the Amazon Rainforest is located within Brazil's boundaries.
Brazil is a popular tourist destination with millions of visitors arriving each year for vacation.
Soccer is Brazil's most popular sport.
There are many different species of animals in Brazil including armadillos, pumas, jaguars and tapirs.
Logging, mining and agriculture are a serious threat to Brazil's environment.
4% of Brazil's rainforests are being destroyed each year because of ranching, logging, and slash-and-burn agricultural practices.
Major agriculture in Brazil includes coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, citrus, cocoa and its major livestock is beef.
Brazil's natural resources include gold, iron ore, nickel, phosphates, tin, platinum, uranium, petroleum, bauxite, and manganese.
There are approximately 75.8 million people in Brazil with internet access.
The Corcovado Mountains in Rio de Janeiro are one of the most famous mountains in the world. On its summit there has been a 98-feet-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer since 1931.
One of Brazil's most famous attractions is Rio Carnival. It is a major celebration that can take a year to prepare for and it attracts a large number of tourists every year.


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