Brazil stands as a massive and colorful giant that occupies nearly half of the South American continent. While many people associate the nation with football and the Amazon, this land offers many more hidden treasures. Indeed, you can find a history of hidden islands and unique cultural blends behind its famous beaches. Furthermore, the local spirit thrives on a deep connection to nature and a festive approach to daily life.
Brazil
Brazil is the only country in South America where the citizens speak Portuguese as their official national language. This unique trait stems from the colonial history of the region and sets it apart from its Spanish-speaking neighbors.
The nation covers a vast area of 8.5 million square kilometers or about 3.3 million square miles of land. Consequently, it shares a border with every single country on the continent except for Ecuador and Chile.
Brazil houses the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan within the bustling city of Sao Paulo. Over 1.5 million people of Japanese descent live in the Liberdade district, which features traditional eastern architecture.
The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro underwent a massive restoration project to prepare for the 2026 season. Workers repaired the soapstone tiles to ensure the monument remains a shining symbol of the city for years.
Brazil has been the world’s largest producer of coffee for over 150 years and provides about a third of the supply. Indeed, the industry employs millions of people and defines the economy of many rural regions across the country.
Ilha da Queimada Grande is an island so dangerous that the Brazilian government strictly forbids any visitors from landing. Specifically, it contains thousands of golden lancehead vipers, which are among the most venomous snakes on the planet.
The Amazon River carries more water than any other river in the world and flows through the northern rainforest. To illustrate, it discharges enough water into the Atlantic Ocean to fill over 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools every second.
Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, which is more than any other nation in football history. Thus, the sport acts as a unifying force that stops the entire country during major international tournaments.
Scientists recently discovered a massive underground river flowing four kilometers (2.5 miles) beneath the Amazon River itself. This hidden waterway, named the Hamza, is just as long as the surface river but significantly wider.
The city of Brasilia was built in only 41 months and looks like an airplane when viewed from above. Architects designed the capital from scratch in the 1950s to encourage development in the center of the country.
Brazil is home to about 60% of the Amazon Rainforest, which contains one in ten known species on Earth. This incredible biodiversity includes unique creatures like the pink river dolphin and the giant river otter found nowhere else.
Every year, the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro attracts over two million people per day to the city streets. This event is officially the largest carnival in the world and features massive parades and elaborate samba school competitions.
Brazil possesses the world’s most complex and diverse system of national parks, covering 73 million acres of land. Therefore, the government works hard to protect these unique ecosystems from the threats of modern urban expansion.
The national dish of Brazil is a hearty black bean and meat stew known as feijoada. Families traditionally serve this meal on Saturday afternoons, and it remains a beloved symbol of Brazilian comfort and hospitality.
Finally, Brazil is home to more uncontacted indigenous tribes than any other place in the entire world. The government monitors these groups from a distance to protect their health and their right to live traditionally.
