69 Fun Facts about Brazil

I haven’t done one of these fun facts posts in awhile, so I thought I’d do another time. This time, I’m moving away from Europe, to a country I’ve yet to go to, but is near the top of my countries I still have to visit list.

On a map it’s impossible to miss, and with the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics being hosted in their country, BRAZIL is definitely going to be one of the most talked about countries in the next few years. Plus, with all hot sunny weather, beaches, attractive people, and home to some of the world’s greatest soccer players, what’s not to like?!

Size!

1. It’s the largest country in South America.
2. It has the 2nd largest Christian population in the world.

3. Population-wise, it’s the 5th largest in the world.
4. Brazil’s Amazon Rain Forest is the biggest Rain Forest in the world.
5. It has the second most airports in the world (around 2500!)
6. It has the most number of species in the world.
7. It was the 9th highest number of billionaires in the world.
8. The longest beach in the world is in Brazil and measures 7500km.
9. Brazil is the longest country in the world.

Soccer!

10. Brazil has won the World Cup 5 times (more than any other country!)
11. Every city in Brazil has at least one soccer stadium.
12. In 1967, a 48-hour ceasefire was declared in Nigeria so that Federal and Rebel troops could watch the Brazilian soccer legend Pele play on a visit to the war-torn nation.
13. Coca-Cola in Brazil sponsors a Pele museum on wheels that travels across the country.
14. Brazil has never lost a game when Pele and Garrincha played together.
15. Kaka paid for his brother’s education at the best college in Sao Paulo before Rodrigo himself became a football player.
16. Many locals call Brazil “o País do Futebol,” which means “the country of football.”
17. Kaka was twice voted as Brazil’s sexiest footballer.
18. In 2005, a Nike ad starring Ronaldinho was the first video on YouTube to break 1 million views.

Misc facts

19. Brazil produces 25% of the world’s coffee supply.
20. …no wonder the best coffee in the world is produced in Brazil!
21. Carnival is the most popular festival in Brazil, and thousands of tourists come every year to celebrate it.
22. More oil was discovered in Brazil than in any other country.
23. By 2032, Brazil’s economy will overtake Germany’s.
23. The Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World
24. Brazil is the 4th country in the world to abolish capital punishment.
25. There’s more than 180 native languages spoken in Brazil.
26. The name Brazil comes from a tree called Brazilwood.
27. Brazil borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

28. The most common surname in Brazil is Silva.
29. Brazil’s Virginia Rodrigues is Bill Clinton’s favorite singer.
30. Jardim Gramacho, the world’s biggest landfill, is the size of about 247 football fields.
31. The Amazon Rainforest (the second longest in the world after the Nile) flows through Brazil.
32. Brazil is the only country in South America that speaks Portuguese.
33. There are more species of monkeys in Brazil than anywhere else in the world.
34. In São Paulo, local’s love pizza.
35. Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil.
36. Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world.
37. Brazil’s homicide rate is 25 per 100,000 people.
38. The longest traffic jam in the world took place in Brazil.
39. 54% of the population has European ancestry.

Their most famous city, Rio de Janeiro

40. Rio was the capital of Brazil for almost 2 centuries before it was moved to Brasilia.
41. The Rio de Janeiro carnival is often called “the world’s biggest party.”
42. Prostitution is legal there.
43. The state has more than 50 km of beaches
44. They will host the 2016 Olympics.
45. Rio has the world’s largest urban forest called the Tijuca forest.
46. Rio de Janeiro is home to 5 traditional Brazilian football clubs: América Football Club, Botafogo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama and Flamengo.
47. Rio natives are called Cariocas.
48. Samba music, which has roots in Africa, started in the neighbourhoods of Rio.

Famous Brazilians!

49. Gisele Bundchen was originally rejected from many modelling jobs because her nose was considered too big.

50. She also has a twin!
51. When Adriana Lima was a toddler, she hated having her picture taken so much that all photos of her around that time show her crying.
52. Before having her daughter Valentina, Adriana Lima said she’d never been to the gym, relying on her good genes for her amazing figure!
53. Adriana Lima also only had her first kiss at 17, stayed a virgin until 27, and has had just 3 boyfriends.
54. Alessandra Ambrosio always takes a pink pillow with her whenever she travels.
55. Alessandra Ambrosio’s favourite city in the world is Florianópolis, Brazil.
56. Rubens Barrichello is the first person to achieve 300 GRand Prix entries.
57. When asked what Francisco Costa’s secret to success is, he replied, “Just work, work, work.”

58. The citizens of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are called “Cariocas.”
59. About 1/3 of Brazilians work in agriculture.
60. Women in Brazil obtained the right to vote in 1931, which was before countries such as France and Switzerland!
61. The literacy rate in Brazil is 86.4%, which is the lowest of all the South American countries.
62. Brazil is 100% energy independent.
63. The largest Japanese city outside Japan is in São Paulo, in the “Liberdade” District.
64. The Acai berry is grown in Brazil, which is believed to prevent cancer, help with weight loss, detoxification and general health issues.
65. The highest point in Brazil is Pico da Neblina, which is 2,994 m high.
66. Brazil is presently one of the fastest growing economies, with an annual GDP growth rate of 5%.
67. The Brazilian bikini wax was invented in New York in 1987 by 7 Brazilian born sisters – ouch!! If you want it completely bare, it’s called a “Hollywood” wax!)
68. Brazil produces the most oranges in the world.
69. The world’s widest road is the Monumental Axis in Brazil. Here, 160 cars can drive side by side!