Pass The Passport

Places / South America

Brazil

Visited

At a glance

Region
South America
Capital
Brasília
Population
212.8 million (2025)
Area
8,515,767 km²
Languages
Portuguese
Currency
Brazilian real (BRL)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+55
Visited: Brazil

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Before you go

Overview

Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering nearly half the continent. It holds most of the Amazon rainforest, as well as the Pantanal wetlands and a long Atlantic coastline.

History

Portugal claimed Brazil in 1500. It became independent in 1822 as an empire, then a republic in 1889.

Food & culture

Feijoada (black bean and pork stew), pão de queijo, churrasco and açaí are popular. The caipirinha is the national cocktail.

Wildlife

The Amazon and the Pantanal are home to jaguars, pink river dolphins, giant otters, anacondas and macaws.

Festivals & events

Carnival in Rio, Salvador and Recife is the biggest party on Earth, and Festa Junina is celebrated in June.

Things to see

Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio, Iguaçu Falls, the Amazon, the Pantanal, Salvador and Lençóis Maranhenses.

Interesting facts

Portuguese is the official language, making Brazil the largest Portuguese-speaking country. The Amazon River carries more water than any other river.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Marathon

Rio de Janeiro · usually June

Follows the coast past Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, with Sugarloaf Mountain in view.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil

9 of 26 visited. See every site I've been to.

My videos from Brazil

  • Hang gliding over Rio de Janeiro
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

My photos from Brazil

February 2016 Overlanding South America - Tucan

Hang Gliding Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Canoa Quebrada, Copacabana Rio De Janeito-Rj, Rio Music Carnival, Santarém, Foz do Iguaçu, Skydive Foz and 3 more

Whole trip gallery
  • A man with arms spread wide in front of thundering white waterfalls at Iguazú.
  • A man in a skydiving harness making rock-on hand signs on a grassy landing field.
  • A blazing samba school float lighting up the Sambadrome at Rio Carnival
  • A smiling man taking a selfie in crystal-clear shallow sea water with green hills behind.
  • A man sitting on brightly tiled steps covered in hand-painted tiles in Rio de Janeiro.
  • A man in board shorts standing with arms out on a rock above the sea in Rio.
  • A man with a drink posing inside a large photo frame sculpture on Ipanema beach.
  • A man with arms outstretched in front of the cloud-shrouded Christ the Redeemer statue.
  • A tandem hang glider about to touch down on a sandy beach, seen from the wing.
  • Two people tandem hang gliding over forest and coastline in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Two people hang gliding over thick green rainforest.
  • Two people tandem hang gliding over the ocean off Rio de Janeiro.

Plan your trip to Brazil

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Brazil