Many people think that Brazil (spelled "Brasil" in Portuguese) is surrounded by the Amazon Rainforest. Although the Amazon is enormous, Brazil is much larger than that, and it is blessed with several other types of climates and vegetation.

More than 180 million people live in Brazil, making it the fifth most populous country in the world.

The vast majority of Brazilians live in cities. Most of the largest ones are still located on the coastline.

Each city has its own special character. São Paulo, for example, with its 15 million residents, is one of the largest cities in the world. On the other hand, small Serra Nova Dourada, in the state of Mato Grosso, is Brazil's smallest city, with only 562 inhabitants.

Climate varies from region to region. Belém, in the state of Pará, is very hot and humid, with temperatures often above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

The average temperature in Rio de Janeiro is 22.5 degrees Celsius (72.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

On the other hand, in the city of São Joaquim, in the southern state of Santa Catarina, temperatures often fall below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and snow may fall in Wintertime.

When it comes to the cultural heritage and ethnic profile, some cities look almost totally European, especially in southern Brazil.















Other regions, such as the state of Bahia, display a strong African heritage. Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is known as the "largest African city outside of Africa".

On its turn, São Paulo hosts the largest Japanese population outside Japan. Brazilian cities are characterized by their diversity. The country is a great melting pot.