Federative Republic of Brazil
The sovereign federal presidential republic occupying most of South America and formally known as the Federative Republic of Brazil.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Federative Republic of Brazil, commonly called Brazil, is a sovereign federal presidential republic in eastern and central South America. It is the continent’s largest country by both area and population, borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador, and has an Atlantic coastline extending for thousands of kilometres. Brasília, located in the Federal District, is the national capital; São Paulo is the largest city and a major economic centre, while Rio de Janeiro remains one of the country’s most prominent cultural and international cities. Portuguese is the official language, making Brazil the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world and the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas. Brazil is a federation of 26 states and one Federal District. Its federal institutions operate under a presidential system in which the president serves simultaneously as head of state and head of government, with executive authority exercised alongside a bicameral National Congress and an independent judiciary. The current constitutional framework was established by the 1988 Constitution, adopted during the transition from military rule to civilian democratic government. The president and vice-president are elected together for four-year terms, with the possibility of one consecutive re-election. States and the Federal District possess their own elected governments and legislatures, while municipalities form an important additional level of public administration. The modern republic was proclaimed on 15 November 1889, when the monarchy was overthrown and Brazil became a republic. The country initially used the official name Republic of the United States of Brazil, which was changed to Federative Republic of Brazil in the 1960s. Republican history includes the First Republic, the centralizing Vargas era, periods of democratic government, military rule from 1964 to 1985, and the present democratic constitutional period. The 1988 Constitution expanded civil, political and social rights and is widely associated with the restoration of democratic institutions. Brazil’s economy is diversified. Agriculture and agribusiness include soybeans, sugarcane, coffee, beef, poultry and other commodities. Mining is important for iron ore and other minerals; manufacturing includes vehicles, machinery, aircraft, chemicals, food processing and consumer goods. The country is also a major energy producer, with petroleum and natural-gas resources, hydroelectric generation, biofuels and rapidly expanding wind and solar capacity. Oil production from offshore pre-salt fields has increased Brazil’s importance in global energy markets, although the federal government’s role is exercised through public policy, regulation, concessions and state-controlled enterprises rather than through the country itself functioning as an oil company. Brazil’s scale creates substantial regional and social diversity. The Amazon rainforest, the Cerrado, the Caatinga, the Atlantic Forest, the Pantanal and the southern grasslands support distinctive ecosystems and economic activities. Environmental protection, deforestation, Indigenous rights, infrastructure, inequality, public security, fiscal management and the balance between agricultural expansion and conservation are recurring national policy issues. Brazil also plays a major diplomatic and economic role through organizations and forums including the United Nations, the G20, BRICS and regional Latin American institutions. It is therefore best classified as a sovereign state and public-sector entity, not as a commercial oil-and-gas brand.
History
Brazil’s political history begins with Portuguese colonization and the creation of a large Atlantic colony whose economy was shaped by plantation agriculture, mining, slavery and coastal trade. The Portuguese court’s relocation to Rio de Janeiro in 1808, during the Napoleonic period, substantially elevated Brazil’s administrative and political importance. Independence from Portugal was declared in 1822, and the Empire of Brazil operated under constitutional monarchy for most of the nineteenth century. Slavery was abolished in 1888 after a gradual process of legislative restriction and social conflict. On 15 November 1889, Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca led the movement that deposed Emperor Pedro II and proclaimed the republic. Brazil’s provinces became states, and the new regime initially adopted the name Republic of the United States of Brazil. The First Republic was marked by strong regional influence, elite political arrangements and considerable state autonomy. In 1903, Brazil acquired Acre from Bolivia through the Treaty of Petrópolis. The capital was later transferred from Rio de Janeiro to the purpose-built Brasília in 1960, reflecting a long-standing effort to promote interior development and integrate the national territory. Getúlio Vargas seized power in 1930 and built a more centralized state. His rule included the Estado Novo dictatorship from 1937 to 1945, followed by a period of constitutional government. Mid-century Brazil experienced industrialization, urbanization and expanding state participation in economic development. Political instability intensified in the early 1960s, and a military coup in 1964 installed a regime that restricted political freedoms, reorganized the party system and concentrated authority in the executive. The 1967 Constitution changed the country’s official name to the Federative Republic of Brazil. The military period also pursued national-development projects, industrial expansion and infrastructure construction, while facing criticism over censorship, repression and human-rights abuses. A gradual political opening led to the return of civilian rule in 1985. The 1988 Constitution, often called the Citizen Constitution, established the foundation of the present republic by defining democratic rights, federal institutions and the separation of powers. The early civilian period faced inflation and political difficulties. President Fernando Collor de Mello was impeached in 1992 amid corruption allegations and public protests, and Vice-President Itamar Franco completed the term. Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s administrations pursued economic stabilization, market reforms and privatization, while later governments expanded social programs and emphasized poverty reduction, domestic consumption and state-led development. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva governed from 2003 to 2010 and returned to the presidency in 2023 after the administrations of Dilma Rousseff, Michel Temer and Jair Bolsonaro. Rousseff was impeached and removed in 2016. Bolsonaro’s administration was associated with a more conservative political agenda and intense disputes over environmental and institutional policy. Across these changes, Brazil retained its federal structure and presidential system, although coalition-building in Congress has remained central to governing. The Lava Jato investigation, which emerged in the 2010s, exposed extensive corruption allegations involving public officials, contractors and state-linked enterprises and had lasting effects on the political system. Contemporary Brazil combines democratic institutions with major policy challenges involving inequality, public finances, security, environmental protection, Indigenous rights and the development of its energy and agricultural sectors.
- 2023
Lula returns to the presidency
[1]Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began a third, non-consecutive presidential term.
- 2014
Lava Jato investigation expands
[9]The corruption investigation developed into a major national political and legal crisis.
- 1992
Collor impeached
[4]President Fernando Collor de Mello was removed from office after corruption-related political controversy and congressional proceedings.
- 1988
Current Constitution adopted
[2]The Constitution created the principal legal framework of contemporary democratic Brazil.
- 1985
Civilian rule restored
[4]The transition from military government to civilian government began a new constitutional period.
- 1967
Official name changed
[5]The country adopted the official name Federative Republic of Brazil.
- 1964
Military regime begins
[5]A coup initiated more than two decades of military rule and restricted political competition.
- 1960
Capital moved to Brasília
[8]The federal capital was transferred from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília in the interior.
- 1903
Acre incorporated
[8]Brazil acquired the territory of Acre from Bolivia through the Treaty of Petrópolis.
- 1891
First republican constitution
[6]The first republican constitutional order formalized a federal system and expanded state autonomy.
Products and positioning
A large federal democratic republic and regional power whose public institutions govern a highly diversified economy, including significant agricultural, mining and energy sectors.
Controversies
2014
Lava Jato corruption scandal
Lava Jato became a broad corruption investigation involving alleged bribery, procurement manipulation and political influence around major contractors and state-linked institutions. It produced extensive legal proceedings and reshaped Brazilian political debate.
1992
Collor impeachment crisis
President Fernando Collor de Mello faced corruption allegations, mass protests and congressional impeachment proceedings, leaving office in 1992.
Brand decisions
1988
Adoption of the Citizen ConstitutionStrategyBackground
After the end of military rule, Brazil needed a constitutional framework for democratic governance, civil rights and federal institutions.
Action taken
The constituent process produced and adopted a new Constitution defining independent branches, elected government and extensive rights protections.
Aftermath
The 1988 Constitution remains the foundation of Brazil’s contemporary political system.
1960
Transfer of the national capital to BrasíliaStrategyBackground
National planners sought to encourage interior development and strengthen territorial integration.
Action taken
The federal capital was moved from Rio de Janeiro to the newly developed city of Brasília.
Aftermath
Brasília became the institutional centre of the federal government and the Federal District.
Sources9 sources
- 1Brazilen.wikipedia.org
- 2Federal government of Brazilen.wikipedia.org
- 3History of Brazilen.wikipedia.org
- 4Politics of Brazilen.wikipedia.org
- 5Military dictatorship in Brazilen.wikipedia.org
- 6Federal Republic of Brazilforumfed.org
- 7Brazilian Legal Research: Basic Legal Structureguides.library.harvard.edu
- 8Acre incorporateden.wikipedia.org
- 9Lava Jato investigation expandsopenscholarship.wustl.edu
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