Brazil is the only country in the Americas colonized by Portugal. It is the largest country in the southern hemisphere – larger than the continent-country of Australia and home to about one-third of Latin America’s human population.
Brazil is the only country named after a tree. Its name comes from its longer given name, Terra do Brasil (“Land of Brazil”), the reference to a valuable tree discovered in 1500 when Portuguese explorers first landed in present-day Brazil. The Brazilwood tree, or pau-brasil, was extremely abundant and quickly became valued for its virtual indestructible lumber. The national tree of Brazil, it is faced with extinction due to its over-exploitation.
Brazil holds 60% of the Lungs of the World, the reference given to the Amazon Rainforest, which comprises more than half of the world’s rainforest area. The primary Amazon Rainforest covers 3.17 million square kilometers (1.22 million square miles) of Brazil’s surface area.
The climate range in Brazil makes it a year-round destination, with its winters from June to August and winters from December to February when the most rain is seen. The average temperature in the winter is ~15.5°C (~59.9°F) and the average temperature in the summer is ~35.0°C (~95.0°F).
The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, also known as Guanabara Bay, is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. It is the largest natural bay in the world based on sheer water volume. Watched over by one of the seven wonders of mankind – Christ, The Redeemer, the harbor was so huge that it was mistaken as a river by early Portuguese explorers. In fact, Rio de Janeiro, which literally translates as River of January, received its name by the Portuguese explorers who discovered the bay on January 1, 1502, believing they had discovered a large river. Today, despite the hub of human activity in the city, the bay remains an astoundingly beautiful attraction that defines Rio de Janeiro.
About 70 indigenous Amazon tribes have never been in contact with the outside world. These groups have chosen to remain in isolation, and the Brazilian government protects them from contact with outsiders.
Although Brazil does not have an official national animal, the jaguar, or Brazilian panther, is proudly presented by the people of the country as its iconic representative. Like the Brazilian people, the jaguar is independent and has great pride in and respect for its territory and resources.
Brazil’s Queimada Grande Island, also known as Snake Island, is considered one of the most dangerous islands in the world due its very high population of snakes, estimated at upwards of five per square meter. The island is protected, and civilians are not allowed to visit it.
Of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, Brazil tops the list as the list as the most biologically rich and diverse country on the planet. The country contains over 12% of the world’s freshwater resources, almost 170,000 thousand identified living plant and animal species, and upwards of 1.8 million estimated species yet to be identified.
Brazil’s Atlantic coast is 4,655 miles (7,491 km) long, the 16th longest national coastline in the world.
The national flag of Brazil represents the rich natural qualities of the country: green for the vast forests of Brazil, the yellow rhombus for its mineral wealth, and the blue circle and stars for the sky over Rio de Janeiro when Brazil declared itself a republic in 1889.
Over six million tourists visit Brazil each year on average. It borders every nation in South America except Chile and Ecuador.
Brazil is home to 896,917 indigenous people representing 305 tribes and 274 languages. Prior to Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral’s claim of sovereignty in Brazil on April 22, 1500, the indigenous population was estimated to have been between 2-3 million people. The introduction of European diseases significantly contributed to the decimation of the indigenous population, but the population has been increasing in recent decades.
82.9% of Brazil’s electricity comes from renewable sources, although its overall energy demands are primarily met by non-renewable sources including fossil fuels, nuclear and other sources.
Brazil has the greatest number of plant species in the world with nearly 55,000 different species identified, and tens of thousands more estimated to yet be discovered.
