Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, covering nearly half of the South American continent. Four-fifths of Brazilian territory is situated between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn and 57% of it is approximately 200 to 900 meters above sea level. Brazil was discovered in 1500 by the Portuguese and remained a Portuguese colony until 1822 when its independence was declared. Brazil then became an Empire until 1889 when the Republic was proclaimed.

The country consists of 26 States and 1 Federal District. The first capital of Brazil was Salvador in the State of Bahia, but the capital was later removed to Rio de Janeiro where it remained until 1960 when a new capital, Brasilia, was inaugurated and which can now boast over 2 million inhabitants. The most populous States are (estimated Dec. 2023): São Paulo: 44,411,238; Minas Gerais: 20,539,989; Rio de Janeiro: 16,055,174; Bahia: 14,141,622; Rio Grande do Sul: 10,882,965; Paraná: 11,444,380; Pernambuco: 9,058,931 and Ceará: 8,794,957. The population originated mainly from Whites (at present about 45.22%), Blacks (8.86%), Mulattos (45.06%), Indians (0.32%) and Asiatics (0.47%). Immigration since 1821 has been as follows: Portuguese 30%, Italians 30%, Spaniards 12.5%, Germans 5%, Japanese 4%, various other countries 18.5%.