GEOGRAPHY

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America occupying over half the continent’s land. Brazil is roughly fifty times bigger than Massachusetts. The country borders every country in South America besides Chile and Ecuador. It is also the fifth largest country in the world. It is 8,515,770 square km (5,291,454 miles) large and is 4,350 km (2,700 miles) from north to south. Brazil is roughly 50 times bigger than Massachusetts. The country has 7,450 km (4,650 miles) of coastline with 2,095 distinctive beaches. There are also different wetlands, savannas, plateaus, and low mountains, showcasing both tropical and subtropical climates. One of the main geographical features of the country is the Amazon River and river basin. Part of the Amazon Rainforest is in Brazil. The rainforest and La Plata River take up three-fifths of the large country. Because of all the basins and plains, forty percent of the country has a 198-meter (650 feet) average altitude. The highest point in the country is Pico da Neblina, with a height of 2,994 meters (9,822 feet).  As well as being the fifth largest country in the world, it is also the fifth most populated country in the world and makes up for one-third of Latin America’s population. Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is further inland even though most of the 216.4 million people live on the eastern coast. Brazil is also home to the greatest concentration of wildlife in South America. There are over 650 species of birds, 1,100 species of butterflies, more than 100 species of mammals, an estimated 10 million caimans (an alligatorid belonging to the subfamily Caimaninae). Brazil also has the highest concentration of jaguars found in the world. There are also lots of endangered animals in the country. Some include the Brazilian tapir, giant otter, maned wolf, and hyacinth macaw. Brazil is a country with diverse ecosystems and lots of geographical features.