A Very Brief History of Brazil

• Brazil was inhabited by various indigenous peoples, prior to the landing of Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral, in 1500. It was claimed and settled by Portugal, which imported enslaved Africans to work on plantations.
• Brazil remained a Portuguese colony until 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese Empire was actually transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro (because Napoleon was invading). In 1815, the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was formed.
• Independence followed, in 1822. Leaving the Empire of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro subsequently served as the capital of the independent monarchy, until 1889, and then as the capital of a republican Brazil, until 1960, when the capital was transferred to Brasília.
• Before colonisation, the indigenous Tupi peoples called this area Pindorama, 'Land of the Palm Trees'
• The official Portuguese name of this land, in original Portuguese records, was the 'Land of the Holy Cross' (Terra da Santa Cruz), but European sailors and merchants commonly called it the 'Land of Brazil' (Terra do Brasil), because of the brazilwood trade. So Brazil is named after the nut, not the other way round.

Brazil - Facts and Factoids

• Brazil - here come the superlatives: the largest country in both South America and Latin America, the world's fifth-largest country by area and the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language.
• Brazil borders every other South American nation except Ecuador and Chile, and makes up just under half the continent.
• This is one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations. It also has more Roman Catholics than any other country (61% of the population).
• Brazil is megadiverse ecologically, considered the most biologically diverse country in the world. It is home to a significant portion of the world's known species, with ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest (where processes like deforestation cause massive global concern) and the Pantanal wetlands. Brazil has a total of four million plant and animal species.
• The Amazon River (mainly in Brazil) is the world’s largest river by volume of water discharged (and almost the longest).
• Brazil has been the world’s largest exporter of coffee for more than 150 years.

Is Brazil Safe to Visit?

Most visitors to Brazil have a jolly good time with no problems. And it's by no means the most dangerous country on the planet. Nevertheless, the level of poverty has still not dropped below 25% and the FCO list a daunting list of possible issues. You have to exercise caution and stay alert.

Issues include:

• Terrorism - avoid crowded places and public gatherings in large Brazilian cities.
• Protests and civil unrest - ditto
• Avoid the slums known as favelas, even on organised tours. Watch you don't enter one inadvertently.
• Theft and robbery is common. Hide your phone and camera. Don't wear valuables. Be especially careful on beaches. Pickpocketing is common, especially at Carnival.
• There is more- but that's enough. Take care..
• Always carry a copy of your passport and another form of photo ID, if you have one.

What Can I See and Do in Brazil?

Brazil is a huge and fascinating country. Read about what I did here:

• The Highlights of Brazil
• Brazil - On the Hunt for Jaguars, in the Pantanal