Brazil – The Largest Country in South America

Brazil is the largest country in South America, much larger than Argentina, and the fifth largest in the world by area and population. Brazil is well known as the country of football, dance, and the best coffee in the world.  Brazil is a land of contrasts, such as huge Amazon jungles alongside modern megacities, world-class carnivals and poor favelas, golden beaches and vibrant nightlife. With a rich history, diverse culture, and dynamically growing economy, Brazil attracts millions of immigrants and thousands of new investors every year.

Scores: Brazil

  • Safety
  • Currency stability
  • Internet quality
  • Business ease
  • Passport value
  • Healthcare quality

Calculated at: 2026-05-27T10:28:54.103797Z

Geography, Iconic Landscapes & Destinations to Travel

Brazil covers over 8.5 million square kilometers, which is almost half of South America.  It consists of 26 states plus the Federal District of Brasília, its modern capital since 1960. It borders almost every South American country and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The equator passes through the country, resulting in a generally hot climate that ranges from equatorial to subtropical. Iconic landscapes include the Amazon rainforest, which produces 20% of the world’s oxygen; the Iguazu Falls, which is one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world, located on Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay; and endless beaches. Popular destinations include Florianópolis in Santa Catarina, renowned for its surfing beaches (Praia de Jurerê, Praia dos Ingleses) and European-style island lifestyle; Natal, recognized for its year-round tropical warm climate, family-friendly beaches (Ponta Negra), and affordable and relaxed atmosphere; and the bustling cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which are major centers for business, culture, and vibrant urban life.

Map of South America

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Population & Language

Brazil is home to over 215 million people, making it the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world. Its population is a vibrant mix of Indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans, and Asian immigrants,  particularly from Japan. This blend has created a colorful, open, and festive national character. Brazil also has the world’s largest Catholic population, though many other religions are practiced.

Culture & Lifestyle

Brazilians are known for their warmth, hospitality, and love of celebration. Carnival, samba, bossa nova, football, and amazing coffee are woven into everyday life. Cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo showcase both luxurious skyscrapers and historic neighborhoods. Despite social contrasts and security challenges in some areas, Brazil remains a lively, friendly and creative society.

Economy

Brazil has Latin America’s largest economy and is a top-ten economy globally. It is a leading producer and exporter of coffee, soybeans, sugar, poultry, and bioethanol. Heavy industry, aviation, energy, and technology also drive its GDP, most of which is concentrated in the south and southeast. São Paulo is the country’s financial and industrial hub, while Rio de Janeiro and Brasília are political and cultural centers.

Economy: Brazil

GDP (2024)
$2,185,821,648,944
GDP per capita (2024)
$10,311
Inflation rate (2024)
4.37%
Unemployment rate (2025)
5.97%
Exchange rate
1 USD = 5.0365 BRL
Exchange-rate date
2026-06-01
Exchange-rate provider
exchangerate.host
Source
World Bank

Major Cities & Attractions

– Brasília: Planned capital with bold architecture.

– Rio de Janeiro: Beaches like Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer statue, Carnival and samba schools.

– São Paulo: Latin America’s business powerhouse, known for its restaurants, traffic, and cosmopolitan culture.

– Amazon Region: The “lungs of the planet,” home to extraordinary biodiversity.

– Iguazu Falls & Pantanal: Natural wonders attracting millions of visitors.

Immigration to Brazil

Brazil offers several pathways for foreign nationals seeking to live, work, or invest in the country. Popular options include investor visas for real estate or business projects, retirement visas for those with a steady income, family reunification visas for spouses and children of Brazilian citizens, and work or study permits for professionals and students. Residency can often lead to permanent status and, after a qualifying period, eligibility for Brazilian naturalization. With its welcoming environment and growing opportunities, Brazil is an attractive choice for individuals and families looking to relocate to South America.

Visa requirements for Brazil

Citizenship Visa required Visa-free days eVisa ETA
Afghanistan Yes No No
Albania No 90 No No
Algeria Yes No No
Andorra No 90 No No
Angola Yes No No
Antigua and Barbuda No 90 No No
Argentina No 90 No No
Armenia No 90 No No
Australia Yes Yes No
Austria No 90 No No
Azerbaijan Yes No No
Bahamas No 90 No No
Bahrain Yes No No
Bangladesh Yes No No
Barbados No 90 No No
Belarus No 90 No No
Belgium No 90 No No
Belize No 90 No No
Benin Yes No No
Bhutan Yes No No
Bolivia No 90 No No
Bosnia and Herzegovina No 90 No No
Botswana No 90 No No
Brunei Yes No No
Bulgaria No 90 No No
Burkina Faso Yes No No
Burundi Yes No No
Cambodia Yes No No
Cameroon Yes No No
Canada Yes Yes No
Cape Verde Yes No No
Central African Republic Yes No No
Chad Yes No No
Chile No 90 No No
China Yes No No
Colombia No 90 No No
Comoros Yes No No
Costa Rica No 90 No No
Croatia No 90 No No
Cuba Yes No No
Cyprus No 90 No No
Czechia No 90 No No
Denmark No 90 No No
Djibouti Yes No No
Dominica No 90 No No
Dominican Republic No 60 No No
DR Congo Yes No No
Ecuador No 90 No No
Egypt Yes No No
El Salvador No 90 No No
Equatorial Guinea Yes No No
Eritrea Yes No No
Estonia No 90 No No
Eswatini Yes No No
Ethiopia Yes No No
Fiji No 90 No No
Finland No 90 No No
France No 90 No No
Gabon Yes No No
Gambia Yes No No
Georgia No 90 No No
Germany No 90 No No
Ghana Yes No No
Greece No 90 No No
Grenada No 90 No No
Guatemala No 90 No No
Guinea Yes No No
Guinea-Bissau Yes No No
Guyana No 90 No No
Haiti Yes No No
Honduras No 90 No No
Hong Kong No 90 No No
Hungary No 90 No No
Iceland No 90 No No
India Yes No No
Indonesia No 30 No No
Iran Yes No No
Iraq Yes No No
Ireland No 90 No No
Israel No 90 No No
Italy No 90 No No
Ivory Coast Yes No No
Jamaica No 90 No No
Japan No 90 No No
Jordan Yes No No
Kazakhstan No 30 No No
Kenya Yes No No
Kiribati Yes No No
Kosovo Yes No No
Kuwait Yes No No
Kyrgyzstan Yes No No
Laos Yes No No
Latvia No 90 No No
Lebanon Yes No No
Lesotho Yes No No
Liberia Yes No No
Libya Yes No No
Liechtenstein No 90 No No
Lithuania No 90 No No
Luxembourg No 90 No No
Macau No 90 No No
Madagascar Yes No No
Malawi Yes No No
Malaysia No 90 No No
Maldives Yes No No
Mali Yes No No
Malta No 90 No No
Marshall Islands Yes No No
Mauritania Yes No No
Mauritius Yes No No
Mexico No 90 No No
Micronesia No 90 No No
Moldova No 90 No No
Monaco No 90 No No
Mongolia No 90 No No
Montenegro No 90 No No
Morocco No 90 No No
Mozambique Yes No No
Myanmar Yes No No
Namibia No 90 No No
Nauru Yes No No
Nepal Yes No No
Netherlands No 90 No No
New Zealand No 90 No No
Nicaragua No 90 No No
Niger Yes No No
Nigeria Yes No No
North Korea Yes No No
North Macedonia No 90 No No
Norway No 90 No No
Oman Yes No No
Pakistan Yes No No
Palau Yes No No
Palestine Yes No No
Panama No 90 No No
Papua New Guinea Yes No No
Paraguay No 90 No No
Peru No 90 No No
Philippines No 90 No No
Poland No 90 No No
Portugal No 90 No No
Qatar No 90 No No
Republic of the Congo Yes No No
Romania No 90 No No
Russia No 90 No No
Rwanda Yes No No
Saint Kitts and Nevis No 90 No No
Saint Lucia No 90 No No
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines No 90 No No
Samoa Yes No No
San Marino No 90 No No
São Tomé and Príncipe Yes No No
Saudi Arabia Yes No No
Senegal Yes No No
Serbia No 90 No No
Seychelles No 90 No No
Sierra Leone Yes No No
Singapore No 30 No No
Slovakia No 90 No No
Slovenia No 90 No No
Solomon Islands Yes No No
Somalia Yes No No
South Africa No 90 No No
South Korea No 90 No No
South Sudan Yes No No
Spain No 90 No No
Sri Lanka Yes No No
Sudan Yes No No
Suriname No 90 No No
Sweden No 90 No No
Switzerland No 90 No No
Syria Yes No No
Taiwan Yes No No
Tajikistan Yes No No
Tanzania Yes No No
Thailand No 90 No No
Timor-Leste Yes No No
Togo Yes No No
Tonga Yes No No
Trinidad and Tobago No 90 No No
Tunisia No 90 No No
Turkey No 90 No No
Turkmenistan Yes No No
Tuvalu Yes No No
Uganda Yes No No
Ukraine No 90 No No
United Arab Emirates No 90 No No
United Kingdom No 90 No No
United States Yes Yes No
Uruguay No 90 No No
Uzbekistan Yes No No
Vanuatu Yes No No
Vatican City No 90 No No
Venezuela No 60 No No
Vietnam Yes No No
Yemen Yes No No
Zambia Yes No No
Zimbabwe Yes No No

Entry rules can change. Confirm with an official authority before travel.