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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world by area.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world by area. It is a federal republic with Brasília as its capital and Portuguese as its official language. Brazil is known for its Amazon rainforest, Carnival, football, and highly diverse geography and culture.

Geography

Brazil covers much of eastern and central South America and has borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Its landscape includes the Amazon Basin, the Brazilian Highlands, wetlands such as the Pantanal, and a long Atlantic coastline.

Government and capital

Brazil is a federal republic made up of 26 states and one Federal District. Brasília became the capital in 1960 and serves as the seat of the federal government.

Population and language

Brazil has one of the largest populations in the world, with over 213 million people in a 2025 estimate. Portuguese is the official language, and it is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.

Culture and economy

Brazil is widely associated with football, Carnival, samba, bossa nova, and Brazilian cuisine. It also has a major diversified economy with strong agricultural, industrial, and service sectors.

Key facts

  • Brazil is the largest country in South America and ranks fifth in the world by land area.
  • It is the seventh-most populous country, with an estimated population of 213,421,037 in 2025.
  • Portuguese is Brazil's official language and the country is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas.
  • Brazil includes the Amazon rainforest, a major share of the Amazon basin, and extensive Atlantic coastline.
  • Its economy is among the largest in the world, and its culture is internationally known for football, music, and Carnival.
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Canadian context

Brazil is an important trade and diplomatic partner for Canada, and both countries participate in multilateral forums and regional cooperation across the Americas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Brazil?
The capital of Brazil is Brasília.
What language do they speak in Brazil?
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil.
What is Brazil known for?
Brazil is known for the Amazon rainforest, Carnival, football, samba, bossa nova, and its large cultural and geographic diversity.
How big is Brazil?
Brazil covers 8,510,346 km², making it the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world by area.
What is the population of Brazil?
Brazil's population is estimated at 213,421,037 in 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil
    Supports: Area, population estimate, capital, official language, country status as largest in South America and fifth-largest by area.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil
    Supports: Brazil's geography, size, population context, and national overview.
  3. Portal Gov.br — https://www.gov.br/g20/en/about-the-g20/host-cities/brasilia-df
    Supports: Brasília as capital and seat of the federal government, population, and area.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bras%C3%ADlia
    Supports: Brasília as the capital of Brazil and its founding in 1960.