Country
name: Federative Republic of Brazil
Governement
type: federative republic
National
holiday: Independence Day, 7 September
Historical
background: Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil
became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous
country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century
of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial
and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast
natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America's
leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution
remains a pressing problem.
Flag
description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing
a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state
and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky
over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM
E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress). Flag.
National
anthem: listen the anthem
illustrated with the Brasilian coat of arms. |
 |
 Geographic
coordinates:
10 00
S, 55 00 W
Map:
Brasil
Highest
point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
Border
countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay,
Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Capital:
Brasilia
Major
cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Fortaleza,
Nova Iguaçu, Recife, Curitiba, Pôrto Alegre, Belém,
Goiâna, Campinas
Population:
184,1 millions (2003)
Density:
20.68 hab./km²
Life
expectancy: 71 years
Ethnic
groups: White (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish)
55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other 1%
Languages:
Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Religion:
Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%
Currency:
Real
GDP
per capita: € 7,600 (2003 est)
Internet
country code: .br |
