Political Overview 

Brazil is a federal presidential republic whose capital is Brasília a planned city inaugurated in 1960 that houses the federal government. The country is divided into 26 states plus the Federal District; each state has its own governor and legislature while national power is split between the president, a bicameral Congress (Senate and Chamber of Deputies), and an independent judiciary. Political life is lively and often polarized, shaped by a mix of national parties, strong state identities, and debates over development, land use, and social policy.

Cultural Heritage and Identity

Brazil’s culture is a rich fusion of Indigenous, Portuguese, African and immigrant traditions, visible in its music (samba, bossa nova), dance (samba, capoeira), religion, cuisine, and festivals. The country is world-famous for Carnival a massive annual celebration of music, dance and parade schools and for its deep love of football (soccer), which has produced globally recognized players and a powerful national identity. Regional cultures (for example Afro-Brazilian traditions in Bahia and Indigenous traditions in the Amazon) give Brazil a strong local diversity that attracts tourists and cultural scholars alike.

Geographical Landscape, Area and Climate

Brazil covers about 8,515,767 km², making it the largest country in South America and one of the world’s largest by area. Its landscape includes the Amazon rainforest in the north, the vast wetlands of the Pantanal, the savanna-like Cerrado, the Atlantic Forest along the coast, and highland plateaus in the interior. Climate ranges from equatorial and tropical in the north and central regions to subtropical in the south, producing everything from humid rainforests to seasonal savannas. Major tourism destinations include Rio de Janeiro (Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana), the Amazon (ecotours), Iguaçu Falls, Salvador and the coastal beaches of Nordeste, and the wildlife-rich Pantanal and Fernando de Noronha islands all of which help define Brazil’s global image as a land of biodiversity, vibrant culture, and spectacular natural scenery.