| Area Total | 8,515,770 sq km |
| Climate | mostly tropical, but temperate in south |
| Natural Resources | bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber |
| Imports | $153.2 billion (2017 est.) partners: China 18.1%, US 16.7%, Argentina 6.3%, Germany 6.1% (2017) |
| Exports | $217.2 billion (2017 est.) partners: China 21.8%, US 12.5%, Argentina 8.1%, Netherlands 4.3% (2017) |
| Government | federal presidential republic |
| Capital | Brasilia |
| Population | 208.8 million (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | white 47.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 43.1%, black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, indigenous 0.4% (2010 est.) |
| Language | Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note: less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages |
News about Brazil
- Lula and von der Leyen say Mercosur-EU deal advances multilateralism
on January 16, 2026Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Friday that the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU), due to be signed Saturday in Asunción, will benefit global trade, democracy and multilateralism, EFE reported.
- Brazil transfers military equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay to bolster regional security
on January 16, 2026Brazil has enacted two laws formalizing the transfer of military aircraft and equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay, as part of an initiative to upgrade operational capabilities of neighboring countries and enhance regional security, Agência Brasil reported.
- US to suspend immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Uruguay; Orsi calls it a “worrying signal”
on January 15, 2026Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi said he was concerned by Washington’s decision to pause immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries —including Uruguay— starting January 21, with no end date announced. “In numerical terms it’s not very important, but as a signal it certainly worries us,” Orsi said after meeting US Ambassador Lou […]
- Wellington Cesar becomes Brazil's new Justice Minister
on January 14, 2026Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed on Tuesday the appointment of Wellington César Lima e Silva as the new Minister of Justice and Public Security in lieu of the resigning Ricardo Lewandowski, who cited personal reasons and political hurdles.
- Pressure mounts for Foreign med students in Paraguay to be proficient in Spanish and Guarani
on January 14, 2026The Paraguayan Medical Circle (CPM) has issued a formal demand for strict linguistic competency requirements for all foreign medical students. The guild insists that non-native speakers must obtain official certifications in Spanish and Guaraní as a prerequisite for enrollment and clinical practice.
- No more buildings casting shadows on Rio beaches
on January 14, 2026Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes signed this week a new law prohibiting the construction of any building that casts shadows on the city’s sand or boardwalks, a measure unanimously approved by the City Council last month.
- Brazil's health watchdog gives nod to HIV vaccine
on January 13, 2026Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved on Monday the use of the drug Sunlenca (lenacapavir) for HIV-1 prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Agencia Brasil reported.
- Trump spoils Lula's celebration of trade surplus with Iran
on January 13, 2026US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any nation conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with Washington, thus crushing earlier celebrations by Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government proudly announced a substantial trade surplus with Tehran, totaling US$2.8 billion in 2025, driven by corn and soybeans.
- Argentina's Embassy in Caracas to be placed under Italian protection
on January 12, 2026Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pulled his country's diplomats from the building that was once Argentina's Embassy in Caracas, but which had been placed under Brasilia's care when Javier Milei severed all ties with the Nicolás Maduro totalitarian regime.
- EU-Mercosur deal to be signed in Asunción on Jan. 17
on January 9, 2026The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU) will be signed in Paraguay on Saturday, Jan. 17, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno confirmed on Friday, following the decisive round of voting in Brussels, where France and its allies failed to reach the minimum number to topple the initiative.
