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BRAZIL and the PEOPLE

One of the largest countries on Earth, Brazil is the home of 200 million people. We take you through time to follow the evolution of the local people’s culture and origin

Words: Aleksandra Georgieva

Photography: Caique Silva

1 March 2019

Due to its large size and land coverage Brazil is a country with a vast population. Over 13 of the cities in the country have over a million residents. On top of that major cities are even more crowded. Rio de Janeiro has over six million citizens while in Sao Paulo there are more than eleven million people.

For over 300 years Brazil was a Portuguese colony. It succeeded in gaining its independence in 1822. The country was attached to West Africa. Movement of tectonic plates broke that connection, but the two countries’ land outlines can still be traced on the map as ones that would fit together like a puzzle. Reports from 2017 estimated that as much as sixty-seven tribes inhabit the country and have never had contact with modern man.

Native, aboriginal people, who first inhabited Brazilian land had a much more different life than those who settled in the country at more recent times. For thousands of years indigenous people lived in Brazil, speaking over 180 different languages. Today the official language of the country is Portuguese. The local language is said to have many similarities to what was spoken in the 16th century. Yet, numerous changes have occurred throughout the years resulting in people, who have many different ethnic origins. Today Brazil is a multi-ethnic society. The majority of people simultaneously embrace both their nationality and their ethnicity.

NOMADSofORIGIN Magazine l Brazil and the People

The government’s census population does not include Brazilian Americans in either the Latinos or the Hispanics origins. Yet, any Brazilian American can report as part of any of the two since an individual’s origin, alike ethnicity or race, is a matter of self-identification. The people are the heart of the country. Over time they have brought their customs and cultural values. Despite many social difficulties, the Brazilian nation expands as one of the most positive and welcoming on the planet. Inspired by that precise human positivism, in 1800’s the country became the birthplace of samba music – one of the most popular rhythms to this day.

With such a diverse population and land size it is no surprise that the country has the seventh largest economy in the world. Ahead of Russia the Brazilian economy falls just behind that of the United Kingdom. The country also become completely self-sufficient in energy. The second largest producer of hydroelectricity worldwide is the Itaipu Dam. Reaching a length of 7.7 kilometres, the dam is located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil. The capability of Brazilians to thrive and create innovations is admirable. Despite the many economic and social difficulties, the nation faces, people still manage Despite the many economic and social difficulties, the nation faces, people remain positive and successfully integrate vital cultural values among the nearby local communities.

Brazil blossoms as one of the greatest countries on Earth to be visited. A huge part of the reason for this remains the people. A clash of modern men and indigenous tribes, Brazil is rich in human origin, heritage legacy and cultural values.

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NOMADSofORIGIN is an independent annual publication with a focus on sustainable travelling and global cultural values. Each issue features interviews, engaging articles and photo guides, which take our nomadic readers through different destinations and introduce them to local people's perspectives.

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