STATE STRUCTURE
General Information
Official name – Federative Republic of Brazil (FRB).
Form of government – federal presidential republic.
President (2025) – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Official language – Portuguese (Brazilian variant).
Capital – Brasília.
Foundation Period
Brazil was discovered by Europeans on April 24, 1500, by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral. In 1533, the Portuguese colonization of Brazil began. Over the next three centuries, the state's territory was settled by the Portuguese and became an important exporter of decorative timber, sugarcane, coffee, and gold.
On September 7, 1822, the independence of Brazil from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve was proclaimed. From the proclamation of independence until the abolition of slavery in 1888, a monarchy was established in the country. After the abolition of slavery, the form of government changed to a federal republic.
The Federative Republic of Brazil was formed on November 15, 1889, as a result of a military coup. The change of the state system occurred bloodlessly. The provinces were reorganized into states, and the constitutional monarchy was replaced by a presidential system of government. From 1964-1985, the political regime in Brazil was characterized by authoritarianism, as the presidential post was held by military generals. The economic strategy of the military was effective, but the political system took on a repressive character. From 1985 to 1989, the country underwent a democratization of society.
Heads of State
In 1989, Fernando Collor de Mello was elected president; in 1992, he was accused of corruption and removed from office.
From 1995 to 2003, the position of president was held by Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Cardoso's policy was social-democratic, and from an economic point of view – neoliberal. During Cardoso's presidency, the country's economy transitioned from a predominantly state economy to a predominantly market economy with the involvement of foreign investors. Cardoso's pension reform put an end to unjustifiably high pensions for civil servants and employees of state-owned companies.
From 2003 to 2011, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva became president of the republic. While generally maintaining the social-democratic orientation and macroeconomic policy of Cardoso, Lula's government implemented a set of social and economic programs, achieving a reduction in poverty levels and reducing social inequality.
From 2011 to 2016, the post of president was held by Dilma Rousseff. Removed from power as a result of impeachment. Continued Lula's social-democratic policy. Pursued an anti-corruption policy by inviting independent specialists into the government, cutting the administration's budget and salaries of civil servants. Supported racial quotas, freedom of religion, and homosexual civil unions. Opposed the death penalty and the legalization of soft drugs.
From 2016 to 2019, Michel Miguel Elias Temer Lulia was president. The pension and labor reforms proposed by Temer's government were met with strikes. Introduced a law aimed at combating organized crime in Rio de Janeiro, transferring control of the city's security to the military until 2018.
From 2019 to January 1, 2023, Jair Messias Bolsonaro was president of the republic. He holds right-wing, conservative views. Advocated a liberal economic course, opposed land reform, secularism, and the legalization of drugs.
From January 1, 2023 to the present, the president has been Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He assumed the position of head of state for the third time, winning the 2022 election. Announced the priority of environmental protection.
Administrative Division
The FRB comprises 26 states and the federal capital district of Brasília. The relationship between the center and the federal subjects is strictly regulated; intervention is permitted to preserve territorial integrity, protect against external aggression, in case of conflict between states, and in case of non-compliance with public order and financial discipline.
In addition to the division into states, there is a larger division – into regions:
- Northern Region. Largest city – Manaus. The largest region by area. Main economic sectors: metallurgy, energy, electronics manufacturing, rubber production.
- Northeastern Region. Largest city – Recife. It is a resort center. Main economic sectors: tourist services, mechanical engineering, textile production, cocoa cultivation.
- Central-West Region. Largest city – Brasília. The second largest region of the FRB by area. Main economic sectors: soybean cultivation, livestock farming.
- Southeastern Region. Largest city – São Paulo. Almost half of the country's population lives in the region, and the largest cities and industrial enterprises are concentrated here. It is the business center of the FRB.
- Southern Region. Largest city – Porto Alegre. The smallest region by area with a low population density. Main economic sectors: mechanical engineering, energy, fruit cultivation.