About Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world in size, but also in population. It is bordering all South American countries, except Ecuador and Chile.

Brazil was colonized by Portugal and is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America. Also it has the largest Roman Catholic population in the world.

Brazil's population is very diverse with many races and ethnic groups. In general, Brazilians are descended from the following groups of migration:

• Amerindians, descended from groups that migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait around 9000 BC.

• Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.

• Diverse groups of immigrants from Europe, Asia and the Middle East arriving in Brazil during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

• African slaves brought to the country from 1530 until the end of the slave trade in 1850.

Brazil is the place to be for people who like Samba, Carnival and beaches. Of course it has lots more to offer, like its colonial cities with their Portuguese architecture and some of the world's most amazing nature scenes, like the Iguaçu Falls, the Amazon, the Mato Grosso and the Pantanal.

Some characteristics of this very diverse country are music, dance, soccer and love of life. The vibrant atmosphere, beautiful nature, diverse landscape and people make sure you want to come back again and again!