Population: 201 million
Area: Slight ly smaller than the United States ;
fifth largest country in the world
Capital: Brasília
Languages: Portugues e (official), but abo ut 180
indigenous languages are spoken in Brazil
Brazil has a developed education system, but qual-
ity is still lacking. It has a compulsory 12-grade ed-
ucation system for ages 6 to 17. The public univer-
sity system offers free higher education to a small
fraction of applicants, with yearly admission based
on a comprehensive and highly competitive exam
taken at the end of high school. The national litera-
cy rate for 15 and over is 91.5%.
Brazil (Brasil)
Brazil, originally a Portuguese colony, gained independ-
ence in 1822 and became a republic in 1889. The name
“Brasil” supposedly comes from the pau-brasil (brazil
wood) trees that were the primary export in the first dec-
ades of the Portuguese colonization in the 16th century.
Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the
world. Portuguese and Spanish, the most spoken lan-
guages in South America, are both Romance languages,
yet distinct and not mutually intelligible.
The “Christ Redeemer” Statue in Rio de Janeiro
There is no official state religion, however Catholicism has been the
dominant religion since Portuguese colonization began in the 16th cen-
tury. Brazil holds the world's largest population of Catholics. The 2010
census showed a population of 64.6% Catholics, 22.2% Evangelicals,
and 2% Spiritists. The remaining groups include Afro-Brazilian and indig-
enous spiritual practices, Mormonism, Buddhism and Judaism.
The term "Brazilian" refers to anyone born in Brazil. Similar to the United
States, Brazil has received immigrants from all corners of the world
throughout its history. Significant immigrant groups include those from
Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Japan and Korea. There is
also a greater concentration of African-descendants, especially in the
northeast of the country, since Brazil received almost half of the slaves
from the Atlantic Slave Trade (the U.S. received less than 5%).
Due to cultural and economic factors, Brazilian youth tend to live with
their parents until they are married. Historically Brazilian families have
been large but as the country has modernized, birth rate has been re-
duced to that of a developed country. In Brazil handshakes are common
in formal settings, but a hug is a more common way to greet friends, and
a kiss on the cheek appropriate between women or between a man and
woman. National holidays include Labor Day (May 1), Independence
(September 7), Proclamation of the Republic (November 15), Day of the
Public Servant (October 28) and Christmas (December 25).
Updated: 10/30/13
C L A S S R O O M C O U N T R Y P R O F I L E S
