Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil) listen (help·info), is a country in South America.[8] It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America,[9] the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world.[8][10] Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 kilometers (4,655 mi).[8] It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos are part of the Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz.[8]
Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822.[11] Initially independent as the Brazilian Empire, the country has been a republic since 1889, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to 1824, when the first constitution was ratified.[11] Its current Constitution defines Brazil as a Federal Republic.[12] The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.[12][13]
Brazil is the world's tenth largest economy at market exchange rates and the ninth largest by purchasing power parity.[14] Economic reforms have given the country new international projection.[15] It is a founding member of the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations. A predominantly Roman Catholic, Portuguese-speaking, and multiethnic society,[10] Brazil is also home to a diversity of wildlife, natural environments, and extensive natural resources in a variety of protected habitats.[8]
Contents |
|
Reuters
Brazil's real BRBY currency weakened 0.17 percent to 1.811 per dollar, retreating from gains earlier in the week when the currency tested levels last seen ...
Latin american markets: Brazil Stocks Cap Best Week Since July ... Capital.gr (press release)
Brazil Stocks Rise on Economy Outlook, Cap Best Week Since July Bloomberg
Brazil may shield exports from real surge-cenbank Reuters
Reuters
all 23 news articles »
480px x 640px | 103.40kB
[source page]
Brazil Fans in down town Ottawa III Brazil Fans in down town Ottawa IV Brazil Fans in down town Ottawa V Brazil Fans in down town Ottawa VI
Derek Wall
Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:21:01 GM
Most effective green political project in the world, well its obviously my political associates in the Peruvian Amazon, however in . Brazil. Marina Silva's bid to become President is already have an impact. European Greens. ...
