Total Population: 191,601,284

Annual growth rate: 1.2%

Density: 23 inhabitant/km²

Urban population: 85.1%

Population of main cities including suburbs: São Paulo (21,000,000); Rio de Janeiro (12,500,000); Salvador (3,650,000); Fortaleza (3,650,000); Belo Horizonte (5,850,000); Brasília (3,875,000).

Ethnic Origins: According to the 2000 census, 53.7% of the Brazilian population was white, 38.5% of mixed ethnic origins, 6.2% black, and 0.9% belonged to other ethnic minorities (Indians, Arabs, Japanese), with 0.7% in no particular category.

Official Language: Portuguese

Other languages spoken: Spanish is generally understood by the Brazilians. French is still spoken among the university elite, due to the tradition of its being "the language of culture".

Business language: Portuguese and Spanish; English is not used very much.

Religion: Despite a very strong Catholic tradition, religious freedom has been recognized and practised for several decades. Religions of African origin were legalized in the 1950s, and many Neo-Pentacostal churches have been opened since the end of the eighties.

Literacy rate: 88.6%

Type of State: A federal republic based on parliamentary democracy. The Brazilian constitution gives extensive powers to the government.

Type of economy: Upper-middle-income economy, Emerging Financial Market.
3rd greatest foreign debt; leading producer of sugar and coffee in the world.

HDI*: 0,807/1

HDI (world rank): 70th/177

Telephone code:
To call from Brazil, dial 00
To call in Brazil, dial +55

Internet suffix: .br

Computers: 16.1 per 100 inhabitants

Telephone lines: 21.4 per 100 inhabitants

Internet users: 35.5 per 100 inhabitants

Access to electricity: 97% of the population