| The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country | | | | Brazil covers just under 3.3 million square miles of |
| in South America. Following is an overview of fun | | | | South America. The climate in Brazil is mostly tropical, |
| loving Brazil for travelers. | | | | particularly in light of the Amazon River basin. |
| Overview of Brazil for Travelers | | | | With a population exceeding 186 million, Brazil is the fifth |
| Indigenous peoples have populated for a long, but | | | | most populous country in the world and largest in |
| undetermined, period. European influence began with | | | | South America. Despite covering a vast area, most of |
| Pedro Alvares Cabral when he claimed Brazil as a | | | | the population lives in urban cities such as Sao Paulo, |
| Portuguese colony in 1500. In a little known | | | | Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. If you think traffic is |
| development, Brazil actually became the location of the | | | | bad in your location, keep in mind over 18 million people |
| Portuguese government in 1808 when Napoleon | | | | live in greater Sao Paulo! |
| chased the royal family out of Portugal. While in Brazil, | | | | The people of Brazil are called "Brazilians." The |
| the family ruled from Rio de Janeiro until 1821 when it | | | | population is 186 million people and growing at a rate of |
| returned to Europe. This move was motivated by a | | | | .1 percent a year. 74 percent of Brazilians consider |
| declaration of independence by Brazil, led by Dom | | | | themselves Roman Catholics. The official language is |
| Pedro. | | | | Portuguese and the literacy rate is 86 percent. |
| As with many South American countries, Brazil has | | | | Average life expectancy is 71.3 years. |
| seen its ups and downs from a political perspective. In | | | | Brazil is one of the world's leading producers of |
| 1989, it finally completed a transition to a popularly | | | | hydroelectric power. Over 75 percent of its electrical |
| elected government when Collor de Mello won the | | | | power is generated via dam projects. |
| popular vote. Less than three years later, he was | | | | If you are considering visiting Brazil, you should keep in |
| forced to resign under the cloud of corruption charges. | | | | mind that crime can be a problem in certain areas. Use |
| In 2002, Luiz Inacio da Silva rose to the position of | | | | common sense and you will have no problem. Brazil is |
| president. Lula, as he is known, represents a major | | | | a blast, very cheap and gets a big thumbs up as a |
| change in Brazilian politics. He is the first leader from | | | | travel destination. |
| the working class. | | | | |