Interesting Facts About Brazil for Kids

Brazil is one of the most intriguing and mesmerizing places on the planet, with such a rich culture worth knowing! There are so many things to see, do, and learn between its entertaining attractions and natural beauty. The country is an excellent place for a fabulous tropical holiday but planning your vacation to Brazil, here are some interesting facts about the country your children would love to know!

Geography and Landscape of Brazil

One of the best things about Brazil is that it is a country that contains a wide variety of landscapes and is very diverse.

• The country occupies a massive area of the eastern coast of South America that also extends to the interior parts of the continent.
• Brazil shares a border with all the other South American nations except Chile and Ecuador.
• The Atlantic Ocean lies to the country’s east, Uruguay to the South; Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay to the Southwest; Peru to the west; Colombia to the Northwest; and Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and the territory of French Guiana to the north.
• The two geographical regions that dominate Brazil’s landscape are the Brazilian Highlands and the Amazon River Basin. The Amazon River Basin lies in the north, while the Platea (The Brazilian Highlands) lies east, south, and center.
• The largest tropical country in the world is Brazil.
• Around 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil, and the northern part of the country is home to about 4250 miles of the Amazon River.

History of Brazil

Brazil, being a huge country, has a beautiful history that is worth learning about! Some popular facts about the history of the country include:

• Various studies have shown that people have been living in Brazil for over 32,000 years. The first inhabitants are believed to have arrived from multiple tiny islands located in the Pacific Ocean.
• Brazil later saw its first explorers in the late 15th century, and they were people from Spain and Portuguese. During the period these explorers arrived, there were already around 30 million people living in the country.
• In 1530, the Portuguese established their first colony in the country, and this early colonization is one reason why Portuguese is still spoken throughout Brazil.
• The Portuguese mainly focused on huge sugarcane plantations, and this was located along the coast. Working in these plantations as slaves brought people from West Africa and treated them very poorly in the sugar mills and the plantations.
• The people then started a rebellion against the Portuguese rulers in 1789, and this became an independence movement later.
• They later gained their independence in 1822, which is celebrated on 7th September every year.
• However, even after the independence in 1822, Brazil was still ruled by kings with Portuguese ancestors until 1888, after which they were expelled. In the same year, the enslavement of people in Brazil was also abolished.

Cultural Facts of Brazil

Due to its rich history, Brazil has a profound culture seen clearly in various parts of the country. Some of these exciting and amazing facts on Brazil culture include:

• Most people from Brazil descend from three different ethnic groups: African, Amerindians, and European settlers (mainly from Portugal).
• The early 19th century, however, also saw a significant wave of immigrants from various Asian, Middle Eastern, and European countries. This diversity of cultures and people creates a rich culinary, musical, and religious background to present Brazil.
• Music is a significant part of the culture of Brazil, and the first music school in the country is believed to have been established during the mid-17th century.
• The Bahian Samba de Roda, one of the most iconic dance forms globally, was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005.
• Brazil is also the host of the largest carnival in the world – the Rio Carnival! Every year, during the carnival days, over 2 million people come together in the streets of the Brazilian city, Rio de Janeiro, and enjoy the music and dance with elaborate parades and costumes.
• Another form of dance, martial art, and music that has integrated itself into the refined culture of the country is Capoeira. This is a popular Afro-Brazilian martial art form that blends various elements of acrobatics, dance, and music.
• There is a festival dedicated to the national liquor of the country- Cachaca, made from sugar cane, and this is called the Festival de Cachaca. This is held during a weekend in August where you can enjoy the forro and reggae, see displays of samba, taste the local culture from the food trucks, and take a piece of the culture from the handicraft stores present everywhere.

Wildlife and Nature of Brazil

With over 60% of the Amazon forest in Brazil, the country is rich in natural fauna and flora. A few interesting Brazil facts about animals and wildlife are:

• Brazil is home to 1500 fish species, 600 mammal species, 1600 bird species, and over 100000 types of insects.
• Most of the animal life in Brazil is in jungles, but many unique species are native to semidesert regions and pampas.
• The central-western part of the country is home to a swampy, flat area called the Pantanal. This area consists of small islands and flooded lagoons and is the largest wetland in the world.
• The Pantanal is home to huge guinea pigs, giant anaconda, and South American alligators called caimans.

Typical Brazilian Food Facts

Brazilian cuisine is characterized by various cooking traditions and practices that are not just local but imported or influenced from Europe and Africa. Asian influences are also seen in their style of cooking.

• Being in a tropical location, Brazil is a great place to grow certain crops like cocoa and coffee beans. This has a massive impact on the food culture of the country.
• The most famous food in Brazil is the Feijoada which usually consists of back beans slowly cooked with beef or pork.
• Another popular dish in Brazil is the Bacalhao, and this has a Portuguese origin. The dish is based on onions, olives, tomatoes, and potatoes and is popularly served with white rice and a little olive oil.
• Coconut desserts are very popular in the country, and sweets are made from Brazilian fruits like papaya and mangoes.

Interesting Places to Visit in Brazil

Brazil is a tropical paradise for tourists and is one of the best cultural destinations in the world.

• Explore the beautiful lagoons and the delightful dunes of the country by visiting Jericoacoara. This is a small seaside town that contains some of the most beautiful scenery the country can provide.
• One of the largest cities in the country is Sao Paulo, and it is known all around the world for its gastronomy, skyscrapers, and diverse cultural scene.
• Hidden among the mountains of Minas Gerais is a picturesque, well-preserved, and popular colonial town called the Ouro Preto. The city is perfect for exploring the rich history and culture of the country.
• Packed with natural wonders, including gushing rivers, sparkling waterfalls, lake-filled caves, and massive sinkholes, the small city of Bonito is another popular destination worth visiting.
• The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park holds some of the most biodiverse and oldest tropical ecosystems on earth and is a gem waiting to be explored! The place has many hiking trails and hidden waterfalls that attract lots of tourists every year.
• The Pantanal is the most diverse and largest tropical wetlands globally and is a destination that is increasingly becoming popular every year. It has stunning fauna and flora that can teach you a lot about the local wildlife of the country.
• Brazil has no destination as popular as Rio de Janeiro – the center for beaches, mountains, and Carnivals. It is also home to Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests in the world with rich fauna and flora.

Facts About Brazilian Sports

Sport is a huge part of Brazil, and a few facts worth learning about are:

• Brazilians are crazy about football and are famous worldwide for producing some of the best players in the world.
• Brazil has won five football World Cups and has participated in every single World Cup so far!
• Football is at the heart of the Sports culture of Brazil, and there is even The Football Museum located in Sao Paulo.
• The Brazilians also love volleyball, Formula One racing, and mixed martial arts though it is not as popular as the love for football.

Other Fun Facts and Information About Brazil for Children

Here are some other fun facts and information on Brazil for preschoolers and younger children:

1. Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, is a planned city designed to be made in the shape of an airplane.
2. The country is so large that there are four time zones within Brazil.
3. The national animal of the country is the Jaguar.
4. Brazil’s official language is Portuguese.

This list of Brazil information and facts will surely inspire your children to read more about the country and its culture.

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