| 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 says Trump wants to “create a new UN” as he attacks proposed Gaza Peace Council
on January 24, 2026Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Friday that global politics is entering a critical phase in which “multilateralism is being thrown out by unilateralism,” and argued that US President Donald Trump is effectively proposing “to create a new UN in which he alone is the owner,” referring to Washington’s plan to set up a Peace […]
- Brazil revives naval industry through Petrobras-led investment drive
on January 21, 2026Petrobras, through its logistics subsidiary Transpetro, signed contracts worth R$2.8 billion (around US$570 million) on Tuesday for the construction of five gas carriers, 18 pushboats and 18 barges at shipyards in Rio Grande do Sul, Amazonas and Santa Catarina, as part of a government-backed effort to revive Brazil’s shipbuilding industry and reduce […]
- Rio’s Carnival Kicks Off with 462 Street Parades and 6 Million Expected Attendees
on January 19, 2026The street Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s largest public cultural celebrations, begins this weekend with 462 scheduled street parades (blocos) and an expected attendance of around six million people, Brazilian state media Agência Brasil reported.
- Orsi on Lula’s absence at EU-Mercosur signing: “Any absence does not leave a good impression”
on January 19, 2026Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi expressed disapproval over the absence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the signing of the landmark free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur bloc, held in Asunción on January 17.
- With Milei present and Lula absent, Mercosur and EU sign landmark deal in Asunción
on January 18, 2026The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc signed their long-negotiated association and free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei attending the ceremony and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva absent, represented instead by his foreign minister.
- Mercosur and EU sign historic trade agreement in Asunción after 26 years of negotiations
on January 17, 2026On January 17, 2026, the Mercosur bloc and the European Union (EU) will formalize a comprehensive association and free trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, marking the culmination of nearly 26 years of negotiations, according to international and regional news outlets.
- 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.
