Located in central-eastern part of South America and covering an area of 8.5 million sq.km (3,287,956 sq mi), Brazil is the world's 5th largest country as well as the largest country in South America and in the Southern Hemisphere. Brazil is divided into 5 primary geographic areas: the northern Guiana Highlands; Brazilian Highlands (or plateau) in central and east; the massive Amazon River Basin; the Pantanal wetland areas of the southwest; and the Southern Highlands - to the west and south of Curitiba.
As observed on the physical map of Brazil above, the Brazilian Highlands are covered by low mountain ranges and forested river valleys. From Rio de Janeiro - north to Fortaleza, a series of higher mountain ranges form a natural barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the country's interior. The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, a seasonally flooded plain fed by the tributaries of many rivers. For size comparison, it's almost 10 times the size of the Florida Everglades. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest. It is drained by the huge Amazon River, and more than 200 of its tributaries - with more than a dozen of those tributaries being on (The Longest Rivers of the World) list. The Sao Francisco is the longest river completely within Brazil's borders. The Guiana Highlands, a relatively flat-topped mountainous area covered by rainforest, stretches across much of northern South America. It's home to many of the planet's most spectacular waterfalls, and Brazil's highest point : Pico da Neblina at 9,823ft (2,999m) (marked on the map by a yellow upright triangle). The lowest point is at the Atlantic Ocean.
Brazil (officially, the Federative Republic of Brazil) comprises of the union of 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 Federal District (distrito federal). In alphabetical order, the states are: Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe and Tocantins. These states are further subdivided into a total of 5,570 municipalities. The Federal District has no municipalities but is divided into 31 administrative regions.
Covering an area of 8.5 million sq.km, Brazil is the world's 5th largest country as well as the largest country in South America and in the Southern hemisphere. It is also the 6th most populous country in the world. Located in the central--west region of the country, at the top of the Brazilian Highlands is, Brasilia - the federal capital city of Brazil. Situated on a plateau of the Brazilian Highlands in southeastern Brazil is Sao Paulo - the largest and the most populous city in Brazil, as well as in the Americas and in the Western and Southern hemispheres. Sao Paulo is the major cultural, financial, economic and industrial center of Brazil and the world's largest Portuguese-speaking city. Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's most famous city.
Brazil is a large country located in the central-eastern part of South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It occupies almost half of the continent's landmass and is dissected by both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. It is hence geographically positioned in the Northern, Southern and Western hemispheres of the Earth, with its major portion lying in the south of the Equator. Brazil shares its borders with all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador. Brazil is bordered by Uruguay to the south; by Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia to the southwest; by Peru to the west; by Columbia to the northwest; by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to the north.
Brazil Bordering Countries: Guyana, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Suriname, Venezuela.
Regional Maps: Map of South America
The above blank map represents Brazil, the largest country in South America. The above map can be downloaded, printed and used for geography educational purposes like map-pointing and coloring activities.
The above outline map represents Brazil, the largest country in South America. It occupies almost 50% of landmass of the continent of South America.
Legal Name | Federative Republic of Brazil |
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Flag |
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Capital City | Brasilia |
15 47 S, 47 55 W | |
Total Area | 8,515,770.00 km2 |
Land Area | 8,358,140.00 km2 |
Water Area | 157,630.00 km2 |
Population | 211,049,527 |
Major Cities |
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Currency | Reals (BRL) |
GDP | $1.84 Trillion |
GDP Per Capita | $8,717.19 |
This page was last updated on February 25, 2021