Discover Brazil: 11 Amazing Fun Facts for Kids to Explore and Learn

1. Shy Giant Party Guest

If Brazil were a party guest, it would be the shy giant hiding in the corner, with a population bigger than its dance moves let on: Brazil is South America's most populous nation, quietly hosting over 188 million people and gearing up to boogie its way to becoming a top international economic sensation.
Source => bigthink.com

2. Lion King IRL

Brazil is like a never-ending episode of "The Lion King," teeming with Simbas, Pumbaas, Timones, and their not-so-cartoony counterparts: Home to the mighty Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, Brazil boasts exclusive VIP access to a jaw-dropping menagerie of unique creatures, like jaguars, sloths, and macaws. But, just like your favorite Netflix series, this ecosystem too is on the cliffhanger of deforestation and fires, making it our duty to step up and save the day.
Source => wwf.org.uk

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=> Fun Facts about Mexico

3. Sir Pele the Knight

Did you know that Brazil's soccer legend Pele rules the field and the monarchy? Well, sort of: In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Pele an honorary knighthood, making him a Knight Commander of the British Empire (K.B.E.), although he couldn't use the title "Sir.". This royal recognition happened when he was also Brazil's Minister of Sports, accompanying President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on a state visit to Britain.
Source => nytimes.com

4. Spider Policy Spin

Are arachnophiles feeling the sting of Brazil's spider policies? Turns out they've webbed themselves in a tangled legal mess: Due to changes in Brazil's wildlife laws, tarantulas are being illegally removed from the country, causing concern amongst breeders and hobbyists who are now scrambling to determine the genetic lineage of their eight-legged pets to avoid possessing prohibited critters.
Source => reddit.com

5. Coastline Limbo Champ

If Brazil's coastline took part in a limbo contest, it would stretch and twist its way into the Guinness Book of World Records: Spanning a whopping 7,491 kilometers, Brazil boasts the 16th longest national coastline on Earth, alongside 2095 breathtaking beaches that lure tourists from around the globe to its sandy paradises!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Samba Dance Extravaganza

If samba were a dance contest, it'd waltz up to your expectations just to Cha-Cha-Cha over them, leaving you with fancy footwork and a newfound appreciation for Brazilian beats: While it's often associated with Carnaval and mistakenly dubbed as Brazil's national dance, samba actually isn't officially recognized as such. Brazil has no designated national dance, but samba's lively rhythms from African-Brazilian roots choreograph a rich cultural legacy through varied regional styles, each with their own spicy steps and influences. Samba's powerful pirouettes remain a true testament to Brazil's vibrant traditions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Tick-infested Capybaras

Move over, New York City - Brazil has its own "Tick" population thriving on capybaras, the world's largest and cuddliest rodents: Recent studies reveal that these hefty herbivores inadvertently help spread Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) by hosting large populations of ticks, which can harbor the harmful Rickettsia bacteria responsible for BSF, although it's still a mystery if capybaras alone shoulder the blame for the uptick in cases.
Source => blogs.biomedcentral.com

8. Celestial Family Flag

Imagine if your family reunion decided to host a flag-designing contest: well, that's how Brazil got its vibrant flag! To top it off, they even invited the stars to the party: Brazil's flag features 27 stars to represent the country's 26 states and 1 federal district, each star sized according to the geographic size of its corresponding state or district. The iconic Southern Cross constellation also makes an appearance, representing the sky over Rio de Janeiro on November 15, 1889, when the republic was proclaimed. And those flashy green and yellow colors? They pay homage to the Brazilian imperial family's dynastic houses, not the country's lush forests or gold reserves. So next time you see Brazil's flag, remember - it's a celestial family affair!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Historic Lenten Hootenanny

When you think of Brazil, you might picture large feasts and even larger hats, but the Rio Carnival is quite the historic hootenanny with a side of divine dieting: This festive extravaganza is actually a goodbye party to all things indulgent and meaty before the Lenten season kicks in, when Christians practice fasting and abstinence, leading up to Easter. Rio's Carnival is just one of many versions in over 50 countries, even India, so no one's throwing confetti alone! Although Covid-19 has put a damper on the dancefloor, these celebrations still shimmy billions into Brazil's piggy bank from tourism, with Rio alone expecting a $1 billion cha-ching from their bars, hotels, and eateries.
Source => indianexpress.com

10. Wild Amazon River Ride

Hold onto your paddle, we're crossing the Amazon: The world's wet and wildest river is none other than Brazil's Amazon River, gushing out a jaw-dropping 7,381,000 cubic feet of water per second and draining a massive 2,720,000 square miles. This H2O titan boasts over 1,100 tributaries (talk about branching out!) and proudly flows through six South American countries, giving a watery ride to creatures like the Amazon river dolphin and the anaconda.
Source => geographyrealm.com

11. Flapping Towards Glory

Brazil's bird scene is flapping its wings to reclaim its feathered glory: With 166 endangered avian stars, Brazil leads in the Americas, but 79,500 hectares of new protected areas have been created in the last two decades to help turn the tide and preserve their flamboyant, chirpy residents.
Source => sciencedirect.com