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Brazil

✨ The giant of the Amazon

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world by area. It occupies much of the eastern and central part of the continent and borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Its eastern coastline faces the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Brasília, while São Paulo is the country's largest city by population.

Brazil has a remarkable variety of landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest and the vast Amazon River basin in the north to the Cerrado savannas, the Caatinga in the northeast, the wetlands of the Pantanal, and the Atlantic Forest. The country also contains extensive plateaus, mountains, rivers, and coastal plains.

Brazil's climate varies across its large territory, although much of the country lies in tropical or subtropical zones. The Amazon region is generally hot and humid and contains one of the world's largest areas of tropical rainforest. The Amazon River carries more water than any other river and flows through a vast drainage basin shared with several countries.

Farther south and east, different climates support forests, grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural regions. Brazil is rich in biodiversity and is home to many plant and animal species, including numerous species found nowhere else. Agriculture and livestock farming are important to its economy, with products such as soybeans, coffee, sugarcane, and cattle. Portuguese is the official language, reflecting Brazil's historical connection with Portugal.

💡 Did you know?

In Brazil, soccer is much more than a sport; it is a true national passion! Brazil's team is often called the 'Seleção.' Brazilians invented a spectacular style of play called 'Joga Bonito' (the Beautiful Game), full of magical dribbles and smiles. It is the country where Pelé was born, considered by many as the greatest player in history, who scored over 1,000 goals in his career!

Incredible but true: beneath the famous Amazon River flows another giant river hidden underground! It is called the Hamza River. It is located 4,000 meters deep and is almost as long as the Amazon, but much wider. It's as if Brazil has a double natural piping system to transport water across the country to the ocean.

Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the Seven New Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer. This 30-meter-high statue stands with its arms open at the top of a mountain called Corcovado. To build it, workers had to bring all the pieces up by train! Its hands are 3 meters long, and its face weighs more than 50 tons. It seems to be giving a giant hug to the whole city.