Brazil is the largest country in South America by area and population, with over 190 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas. Brazil occupies a large portion of eastern South America, sharing land borders with every country on the continent except Ecuador and Chile. Brazilian culture has been strongly shaped by influences from indigenous peoples, Portuguese colonists, and African slaves, forming a multicultural society with influences from several European immigrant groups as well. The climate and geography are mostly tropical, with the Amazon rainforest being a defining feature of the country.

1. BRAZIL

2. Brazil is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 190 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world Brazil occupies a large area along the eastern coast of South America and includes much of the continent's interior, sharing land borders with Uruguay to the south; Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest; Bolivia and Peru to the west; Colombia to the northwest; and Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and the French overseas department of French Guiana to the north. It shares a border with every country in South America except for Ecuador and Chile.

3. 1492-1550 Pedro AlvaresCarbral born 1460 died 1526 was a Portuguese explorer and master of the Nina in 1492. The 22nd of April 1500 he discovered Brazil and claimed it for Portugal. In 1540 A Spanish conquistador Cabeza de Vaca was appointed governor of the Brazilian province of Rio de la Plata. In 1550 African slaves were shipped to Brazil to work sugar plantations.

4. 1624-1792 In 1624 there was the Dutch conquered Salvador. November 17th 1636 Brazilian general Henrique Dias won a decisive battle against the Dutch. On August the 6th of 1661 Holland sold Brazil to Portugal for 8 million guilder. In 1763 the Brazilian capital was changed from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro. 1789 Joaqui, Jose da Silva Xavier launched the first Brazilian rebellion against Portugal. In 1792 Jose da Silva Xavier was hung, drawn and quartered by the Portuguese.

5. 1800’s 1810 Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon September 7, 1822 Brazil declared its independence from Portugal 1822-1889 Pedro I ruled Brazil starting the period of the Brazilian monarchy April 8, 1832 Charles Darwin began a trip through Rio de Janeiro May 13, 1888 Slavery was abolished in Brazil and 4 million slaves were freed November 15, 1889 Brazilian monarchy was overthrown and a republic was established

6. 1900’s October 12, 1931 The 98-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro was unveiled on the top of Corcovado Mountain as a Brazilian monument to 100 years of independence from Portugal.The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeirowas designed by Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald and French sculptor Paul Landowski April 2, 1964, A military coup in Brazil led by Gen. HumbertoCastelloBranco1964-1985 A military dictatorship ruled over Brazil.

7. Brazilian culture is a culture of a very diverse nature. An ethnic and cultural mixing occurred in the colonial period between Native Americans, Portuguese and Africans formed the bulk of Brazilian culture. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Italian, German, Spanish, Arab and Japanese immigrants settled in Brazil and played an important role in its culture, creating a multicultural and multiethnic society. The core culture of Brazil derived from Portuguese culture, because of strong colonial ties with the Portuguese empire. Among other inheritances, the Portuguese introduced the Portuguese language, the Catholic religion and the colonial architectural styles. This culture, however, was strongly influenced by African, Indigenous cultures and traditions, and other non-Portuguese European people.Some aspects of Brazilian culture are contributions of Italian, German and other European immigrants; came in large numbers and their influences are felt closer to the South and Southeast of Brazil. Amerindian peoples influenced Brazil's language and cuisine; and the Africans influenced language, cuisine, music, dance and religion

8. Much of the climate is tropical, with the south being relatively temperate. The largest river in Brazil, and one of the longest in the world, is the Amazon. The rainforest that covers the Amazon Basin constitutes almost half of the rainforests on Earth.