Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than a half century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader, one of the first in the area to begin an economic recovery. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 00 S, 55 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South America
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8,514,877 sq km
country comparison to the world: 5
land: 8,459,417 sq km
water: 55,460 sq km
note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than the US
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16,885 km
border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,491 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 8.45%
permanent crops: 0.83%
other: 90.72% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54,000 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,233 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 58.07 cu km/yr (28%/17%/55%)
per capita: 306 cu m/yr (2006)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Brazilian(s)
adjective: Brazilian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language)
note: less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/Voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census)
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, but limited social spending on children has restricted investment in education - a primary means of escaping poverty. Brazil's poverty and income inequality levels remain high despite improvements in the 2000s and continue to disproportionately affect the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
201,009,622 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24.2% (male 24,814,906/female 23,879,697)
15-24 years: 16.7% (male 16,982,245/female 16,513,161)
25-54 years: 43.6% (male 43,396,927/female 44,170,680)
55-64 years: 8.2% (male 7,792,041/female 8,736,359)
65 years and over: 7.3% (male 6,250,580/female 8,473,026) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 46.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 35.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 11 %
potential support ratio: 9.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 30.3 years
male: 29.5 years
female: 31.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.83% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.97 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.51 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 87% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sao Paulo 19.96 million; Rio de Janeiro 11.836 million; Belo Horizonte 5.736 million; Porto Alegre 4.034 million; BRASILIA (capital) 3.813 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 104
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 93
male: 23.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 73.02 years
country comparison to the world: 127
male: 69.48 years
female: 76.74 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.81 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80.3% (2006)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 47
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.76 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 102
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 116
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 53
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.4%
male: 90.1%
female: 90.7% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2005)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 959,942
percentage: 3 %
note: data represents children ages 5-13 (2009 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15.4%
country comparison to the world: 82
male: 12.2%
female: 19.8% (2011)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form: Brazil
local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil
local short form: Brasil
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
federal republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Brasilia
geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February
note: Brazil is divided into three time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest ratified 5 October 1988; amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law; note - a new civil law code was enacted in 2002 replacing the 1916 code
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
voluntary between 16 to under 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote by law
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 3 October 2010 with runoff on 31 October 2010 (next to be held on 5 October 2014 and, if necessary, a runoff election on 2 November 2014)
election results: Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF 56.01%, Jose SERRA (PSDB) 43.99%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds of members elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Federal Senate - last held on 3 October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held in October 2014 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 20, PT 13, PSDB 10, DEM (formerly PFL) 7, PTdoB 6, PP 5, PDT 4, PR 4, PSB 4, PPS 1, PRB 1, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 87, PMDB 80, PSDB 53, DEM (formerly PFL) 43, PP 41, PR 41, PSB 34, PDT 28, PTdoB 21, PSC 17, PCdoB 15, PV 15, PPS 12, other 26
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Federal Court (consists of 11 justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president and approved by the Federal Senate; justices appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Federal Appeals Court, Superior Court of Justice, Superior Electoral Court, regional federal courts; state court system
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Ivan Martins PINHEIRO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Landless Workers' Movement or MST
other: industrial federations; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OECD (Enhanced Engagement, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Mauro Luiz Iecker VIEIRA (since 11 January 2010)
chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805
FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Liliana AYALDE (since 1 August 2013)
embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia
mailing address: Unit 7500, DPO, AA 34030
telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000
FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136
consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
consulate(s): Recife
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth; the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District)
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Cross constellation
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA
note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries, and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. Since 2003, Brazil has steadily improved its macroeconomic stability, building up foreign reserves, and reducing its debt profile by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and two ratings agencies awarded investment grade status to its debt. After strong growth in 2007 and 2008, the onset of the global financial crisis hit Brazil in 2008. Brazil experienced two quarters of recession, as global demand for Brazil's commodity-based exports dwindled and external credit dried up. However, Brazil was one of the first emerging markets to begin a recovery. In 2010, consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth reached 7.5%, the highest growth rate in the past 25 years. Rising inflation led the authorities to take measures to cool the economy; these actions and the deteriorating international economic situation slowed growth to 2.7% in 2011, and 1.3% in 2012. Unemployment is at historic lows and Brazil's traditionally high level of income inequality has declined for each of the last 14 years. Brazil's historically high interest rates have made it an attractive destination for foreign investors. Large capital inflows over the past several years have contributed to the appreciation of the currency, hurting the competitiveness of Brazilian manufacturing and leading the government to intervene in foreign exchange markets and raise taxes on some foreign capital inflows. President Dilma ROUSSEFF has retained the previous administration's commitment to inflation targeting by the central bank, a floating exchange rate, and fiscal restraint. In an effort to boost growth, in 2012 the administration implemented a somewhat more expansionary monetary policy that has failed to stimulate much growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.33 trillion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.223 trillion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 62.3%
government consumption: 21.5%
investment in fixed capital: 18.1%
investment in inventories: -0.5%
exports of goods and services: 12.6%
imports of goods and services: -14%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 26.3%
services: 68.5%
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
105.7 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 15.7%
industry: 13.3%
services: 71%
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.4%
note: official Brazilian data show 4.2% of the population being below the "extreme" poverty line in 2011 (2009 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 42.9% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51.9 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 17
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $875.5 billion
expenditures: $822.1 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.25% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.64% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$159.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.878 trillion (30 November 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.381 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.229 trillion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 10
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-54.23 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$242.6 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 17%, US 11.1%, Argentina 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$223.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 15.3%, US 14.6%, Argentina 7.4%, Germany 6.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$373.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$438.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$604.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$177.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
reals (BRL) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
530.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
455.8 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.544 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38.43 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
113.7 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
71% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.652 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
619,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
343,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.15 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 15
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.108 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.594 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
158,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
457,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.03 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.2 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
400 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.3 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
395.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 34
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
475.4 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.3 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 5
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
248.324 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 6
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major driver in expanding telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 120 per 100 persons
international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Americas-1, Americas-2, Atlantis-2, GlobeNet, South America-1, South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus, and UNISUR that provide direct connectivity to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating - mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.br
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.577 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 3
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
75.982 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 4
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,093 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 2
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 698
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 27
1,524 to 2,437 m: 179
914 to 1,523 m: 436
under 914 m: 49 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,395
1,524 to 2,437 m: 92
914 to 1,523 m: 1,619
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate/gas 251 km; gas 17,312 km; liquid petroleum gas 352 km; oil 4,831 km; refined products 4,722 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28,538 km
country comparison to the world: 10
broad gauge: 5,627 km 1.600-m gauge (467 km electrified)
standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge
narrow gauge: 22,717 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,580,964 km
country comparison to the world: 4
paved: 212,798 km
unpaved: 1,368,166 km
note: does not include urban roads (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 3
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 109
country comparison to the world: 48
by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 16, chemical tanker 7, container 13, liquefied gas 11, petroleum tanker 39, roll on/roll off 5
foreign-owned: 27 (Chile 1, Denmark 3, Germany 6, Greece 1, Norway 3, Spain 12, Turkey 1)
registered in other countries: 36 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 1, Ghana 1, Liberia 20, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 3, Singapore 9) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Belem, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao
river port(s): Manaus (Amazon)
dry bulk cargo port(s): Sepetiba ore terminal
container ports (TEUs): Santos (2,985,922), Itajai (983,985)(2011)
oil/gas terminal(s): DTSE/Gegua oil terminal, Ilha Grande (Gebig), Guaiba Island terminal, Guamare oil terminal
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 9-12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 53,350,703
females age 16-49: 53,433,918 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 38,993,989
females age 16-49: 44,841,661 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 1,733,168
female: 1,672,477 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.47% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 191
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela