Brazil

Brazil occupies nearly half of South America and is the continent's largest country. It faces the Atlantic Ocean and shares land borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Its landscapes include Amazon lowlands, the Brazilian Highlands, the Pantanal wetlands and other distinct biomes. For statistical and planning purposes, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) groups the country's states and municipalities into five Major Regions: North, Northeast, Southeast, South and Central-West. These regions describe geographic patterns; they are not an additional tier of government.

Portuguese is Brazil's official language, a legacy of Portuguese colonization. Brazilian society has been shaped by Indigenous peoples, Portuguese rule, the forced migration and enslavement of Africans, and later immigration from many parts of the world. Indigenous communities continue to maintain distinct languages and traditions; Britannica reports that more than 200 Indigenous languages are spoken in the country. These histories contribute to substantial cultural and regional diversity, while access to opportunity remains uneven.

Portugal colonized Brazil, which declared independence in 1822 under Dom Pedro, later its first emperor. Brazil's modern history also includes a military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985 and a return to civilian constitutional government. The current Constitution was promulgated on 5 October 1988. Brazil is a federal republic: its political organization comprises the Union, 26 states, the Federal District and municipalities. Brasília, in the country's interior, is the national capital.

Brazil has a large and diversified economy that includes services, manufacturing, mining and agriculture. Its natural resources and extensive agricultural production give it an important role in global markets, while economic activity and opportunity vary across regions and groups. The World Bank identifies continuing racial and gender discrimination and unequal access to education, health services and jobs among development concerns. Land use, biodiversity loss and climate change also make environmental stewardship significant for the country's future.