Brazil in a nutshell

Basic Brazil Facts

First, we start with some basic Brazil facts. I didn't know a lot of these things!!

Brazil is:

• The largest country in South America.
• The only Portuguese speaking country in the Americas.
• The largest Portuguese speaking country in the world.
• The fifth largest country in the world.
• Brazil has the eighth largest economy in the world.
• It is the furthest east of any country in the Americas.
• Has the second highest number of airports in the world.
• Has the third largest road network on earth.
• Has the 10th largest railroad network on the planet.
• Brazil is the longest country in the world, and spans approximately 2800 miles from north to south via land.

Interesting Facts About Brazil Economy

during the 1990’s, there was A LOT more poverty in Brazil but from talking with and reading a few things, Brazilian remained very optimistic and generous. (they still are from my experience) At that time, inflation as ramp-it , and the currency regularly changed. 

 Brazil is now:

• One of the fastest growing economies in the world today and currently has an average annual GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 5%.
• One of the few countries that have successfully managed to reduce economic inequality in their population in recent times, when inequities are growing in so many other places.
• One of the world’s leading producers of hydroelectric power.
• 100% energy independent! That is quite an accomplishment! Brazil became energy independent in 2006, making a full turn around from years past when imported oil was as high as 70% of the country’s needs. Ethanol Baby

Interesting Facts About Brazil Rain forests

Ah, the Brazilian rain forest is truly a miraculous . What an amazing experience to be there, and to feel the sheer magnitude and beauty of Mother Nature. It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and hope to have again soon! 

• Brazil has the greatest biodiversity of any country, and the most species of plants, freshwater fish, and mammals.
• It is third in the world for numbers of species of birds, and fifth in the world for reptiles.
• Brazil has the most species of monkeys in the world.
• The Brazilian rain forest is 60% of the Amazon Rain forest.
• Brazil contains 25% of the world’s rain forests.
• Amazon basin gets 7 feet or more of rain a year. 
• The Amazon river is second longest in the world, BUT it is the largest river in the world in water volume.

Interesting Facts About Brazil Culture

• Brazilian women attained the right to vote in 1931, before women in Switzerland, France, Italy.
• Most Brazilians don’t marry until their late twenties.
• As of 2007, Brazil has the second highest Christian population in the world.
• Brazil has won the soccer world cup five times, more than any other nation.
• Every Brazilian city has at least one soccer stadium!
• Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue, located in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.

Lesser Known Interesting Facts About Brazil

These are the kinds of Brazil facts you may not hear very often, if at all, unless you dig a little deeper into what is happening there.

• Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations AND the G20.
• Brazil was named for the Pau Brasil tree, also known as Brazilwood. Previous to this name, it was known as the Ilha de Vera Cruz (Island of Real Cross) and Terra de Santa Cruz (Land of Holy Cross). 
• May 2010 Brazil opened the first international Brazilian TV station. 
• Brazilian soap operas and football are quite popular in Portuguese speaking Africa.