Overview
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It ranks as the world's fifth-largest country by area and the seventh-largest by population, with over 213 million people. As a federation, Brazil is composed of 26 states along with a Federal District, which is home to the nation's capital, Brasília.
Language and Culture
Brazil holds a unique linguistic distinction in the Americas: it is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the region, with Portuguese serving as the official language. As a result, Brazil boasts the largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) population in the world, setting it apart culturally and linguistically from its Spanish-speaking neighbors across South America.
Major Cities
While Brasília serves as the political capital, it is not the country's most populous city. That title belongs to São Paulo, a major urban and economic center. Rio de Janeiro follows as the second most populous city, renowned worldwide for its cultural significance and iconic landscapes.
- São Paulo – Brazil's most populous city
- Rio de Janeiro – the second most populous city
- Brasília – the national capital, located in the Federal District
Political Structure
Brazil is organized as a federation, a governmental structure that divides authority between a central government and its constituent parts. The country consists of 26 states plus the Federal District, which contains Brasília. This federative system allows for a degree of regional governance across Brazil's vast territory, reflecting the scale and diversity of the nation as South America's largest country.