Brazil

1500 – Discovery of Brazil by Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral (Monday, April 22, 1500)

1822 – Independence from Portugal (Saturday, September 7, 1822), declared by Prince Pedro I

1889 – Republic proclaimed (Monday, November 15, 1889), replacing the monarchy with a republic

1964–1985 – Military dictatorship: A period of military rule following a coup, ending with the return to civilian rule

1985 – Transition to democracy: The end of the military regime and the beginning of democratic governance

2002 – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva becomes president (Monday, January 1, 2003), marking the start of the Workers’ Party governance

2016 – Impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff (Wednesday, August 31, 2016), leading to the presidency of Michel Temer

2018 – Jair Bolsonaro elected president (Sunday, October 28, 2018)

2022 – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva elected president again (Sunday, October 30, 2022)

Continent: South America
Location: Eastern South America, bordered by every country in South America except Ecuador and Chile
Capital: Brasília
Language: Portuguese (official)
Currency: Brazilian real (BRL)
Population: ~213 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Brasília Time (BRT, UTC-3) during standard time, Brasília Summer Time (BRST, UTC-2) during daylight saving time (note: daylight saving is no longer observed as of 2019)

Borders: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, French Guiana (an overseas region of France)
Landscape: Rainforests, savannah, wetlands, and mountain ranges
Major Rivers: Amazon River, Paraná River, São Francisco River
Notable Features: Amazon Rainforest, Pantanal wetlands, Iguazu Falls

Ethnic Groups: White (47%), Mixed race (43%), Black (8%), Indigenous (2%)
Religion: Roman Catholic (64%), Evangelical Protestant (22%), other (14%)
Urban Population: ~87% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Brazil is highly diverse, with significant cultural influence from indigenous peoples, African heritage, and European settlers.

Famous For: Carnival, football (soccer), samba, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, natural wonders, and rich cultural diversity
Cuisine: Feijoada (black bean stew), churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), pão de queijo (cheese bread), açaí
Arts: Samba, bossa nova music, Brazilian cinema, and modern art
Sports: Football (soccer), volleyball, basketball, mixed martial arts

Economy Type: Mixed economy, with a large and diversified industrial base
GDP: Approx. $2.1 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (soybeans, coffee, beef, sugar), mining (iron ore, gold), manufacturing (automobiles, aircraft), services (finance, tourism)
Key Exports: Soybeans, iron ore, coffee, petroleum, aircraft
Unemployment Rate: ~8.8% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The southeast (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro) is the economic powerhouse, with a strong manufacturing and services sector, while the north and northeast are more rural and agricultural.

Government Type: Federal republic, with a presidential system
Head of State: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies & Federal Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1988

Rio de Janeiro: Famous for its beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue, and Carnival celebrations
Amazon Rainforest: The world’s largest tropical rainforest, offering unique biodiversity
Iguazu Falls: A spectacular waterfall system located on the border with Argentina
Pantanal: The world’s largest tropical wetland area, known for wildlife viewing
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 22 (last updated: 2023)