GEOGRAPHY

General Information

The Federative Republic of Brazil is located on the continent of South America, occupying its eastern and central part. The FRB is the fifth largest country in the world, occupying 5,7% of the world's land area, with a territory of 8 514 215.3 sq. km, of which 55 455 sq. km are water.

It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the north and east. The length of the coastline is 7491 km, along its length there are many bays, several large gulfs, the floodable mouth of the Amazon River, and large coastal lagoons. A number of islands in the Atlantic Ocean also belong to the FRB's territory: Atoll das Rocas, São Paulo Islands, and the coastal island of Florianopolis.

Brazil has diverse relief and is divided into several zones:

Atlantic Coastal Plain, where developed red soils, plantations of cotton, tobacco, cocoa, and sugarcane are located;
Amazon Basin, which is the least developed and least populated zone, rich in timber. The Amazon River itself is navigable along its entire length within Brazil and further upstream to the city of Iquitos in Peru;
Guiana Highlands, where manganese deposits are mined;
Brazilian Highlands, where fertile lands and minerals are concentrated. The eastern edge of the highlands is densely populated. The capital of the FRB, the city of Brasília, is located on the Brazilian Highlands;
Pantanal, which is part of the Paraguay River basin, represents an extensive depression used for cattle grazing. It possesses extensive forage resources.

Time zone – UTC-3 and UTC-2.

State Borders

The FRB borders 10 countries.

The total length of the FRB's land border is 14 691 km:

Bolivia (3400 km);
Venezuela (2200 km);
Colombia (1643 km);
Peru (1560 km);
Paraguay (1290 km);
Argentina (1224 km);
Guyana (1119 km);
Uruguay (985 km);
French Guiana (673 km);
Suriname (597 km).

Climate

Brazil is a tropical country; most of its regions are favorable for permanent residence.

Along the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a tropical humid climate prevails. In the north, high temperatures persist year-round and abundant precipitation falls; to the south, winters become colder and drier, while summer periods remain hot and humid. The average temperature of the warmest month (February) is 26°C, and of the coldest (July) is 20°C.

Within the Amazon Lowland, the average annual precipitation is 1800-2300 mm, falling mainly in the form of heavy rains, with constant high air humidity characteristic. There is no intense heat. The maximum recorded temperature is 36°C, and the minimum is 18°C.

In the south of Brazil, average temperatures do not exceed 14-18°C, frosts are common. Sometimes snow falls in the mountains, but it does not last long. During the intrusion of polar air masses, there are prolonged periods of cloudy, damp weather.

On the Brazilian Highlands, summers are warm and humid, and winters are cool and dry. Temperatures are not as high as in the coastal areas and in the Amazon, precipitation falls in the form of heavy rains only at high altitudes.

The extreme northeastern regions of Brazil are the most arid, where an average of 500-650 mm of precipitation falls per year. The precipitation regime varies sharply from year to year. Crops often suffer from excessive or insufficient moisture, which greatly harms farming.