In 2022 I traveled to Brazil. Not only did I have the time of my life there, but I also learned so many fun facts about the country.
I loved discovering the unique things that Brazil and its population provide, and I wanted to document my learnings somewhere. So here is my list of Brazil interesting facts. I hope you enjoy!
HISTORY
The capital of Brazil is Brasilia
Contrary to what people think, Brazil’s capital is not Rio de Janeiro nor São Paulo, it is Brasilia. The capital was moved from Rio de Janeiro, where it had been for 197 years, to a more central location for business and economic purposes. After this decision in the late 1950s, Brasilia was built in 41 months only!
Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan
Since the 1900s, many Japanese immigrants arrived to Brazil and have created the biggest Japanese ethnic group outside their country. Nowadays there are around 1.5 million Japanese in Brazil. Almost 30% of my home country Lebanon’s population!
GEOGRAPHY
The deadliest place on earth is in Brazil
Queimada Grande Island also known as the snake island is less than 100 miles away from São Paulo, but you will never be able to see it. That’s because the island is full with the endangered Golden Lancehead snake, with almost 1 snake per square meter, and the government does not allow anyone to step foot on the island except for a few scientists. The snakes are dangerous since they have a venom that causes organ failure and sometimes death. You definitely don’t want such a memory from Brazil.
Brazil is the largest producer of coffee worldwide
If you drink coffee, I am sure you’ve drank Brazilian coffee, that’s because Brazil is by far the world’s largest producer and exporter of coffee, accounting for 30% of the world’s production.
Yum, thank you Brazil, I love your coffee!
Brazil has over 4,000 airports but only attracts half the number of tourists that Berlin does
It is only normal, for a country this big to have that many airports. The US only with more.
Unfortunately, there is so much awareness about the country that needs to be done to attract tourists. The government is also not solving the issue of criminality that scares potential visitors.
Imagine a whole country attracting less tourists than a European city. I really would push you to change your mind and add this country to your list!
CULTURE
The color Brazilians wear on New Year’s eve is not random
My favorite fun fact about Brazil: people wear specific colors on New Year’s eve depending on what their wishes for the upcoming year are. Each color has a different meaning, white (for peace), red (for love) or gold (for money).
Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue was supposed to be different
Apparently, the original design of the statue was supposed to have the Christ holding a cross in one hand and the globe in the other, instead of having two wide open arms. But regardless, the status is gorgeous and a true human-built wonder.
Prisoners in Brazil have the possibility to reduce their time in jail by reading
For every book a prisoner reads, 4 days are reduced from his time in jail. Prisoners are also required to write a well-written essay summarizing the book. They are given 4 weeks to read one book, and are allowed to read up to 12 books per year, reducing their total time in jail by 48 days per year. I really like this system.
ENTERTAINMENT
Over 10 million liters of beers are consumed during the carnival
Every year, Brazil celebrates the carnival, a festival where people take the streets to engage in the largest parades and parties. 2 million people take part in the celebrations (in Rio only!), and with that, of course, PLENTY of beer is consumed!
For this, 250,000 portable toilets are installed in Rio only!
When considering the volume of beers consumed during Carnival, it is not a surprise that urination becomes an issue!
To overcome the problem of flowing rivers of second-hand beers, Brazil imposes fines of 45-130$ on people that pee in public, and installs thousands of toilets in its streets.
Don’t you dare pee in public..
