1. The Portuguese Empire had ruled over Brazil since 1500, so the declaration of independence in 1822 ended 322 years of Portuguese rule.
2. With a population of around 210 million, Brazil is the world’s fifth most populous country.
3. Three Brazilians are born every minute.
4. They speak Portuguese in Brazil which makes it a Lusophone country. Lusitania was an ancient name for Portugal.
5. Bolivia produces more Brazil nuts than Brazil.
6. Originally, “Brazil” was the name of a hard, brownish-red wood of an Indian tree. The name was then used for a similar tree in South America and the country was named after that tree.
7. Brazil covers 47 per cent of South America and has borders with every country in that continent except Ecuador and Chile.
8. Brazil heads the list of coffee-producing countries with about 30 per cent of the world total.
9. Brazil is the only country to have qualified for all 18 World Cup finals and has won it a record five times.
10. The last King of Brazil was Pedro II who reigned from 1831 until he was overthrown in 1889.