| Description | Federative Republic of Brazil
Republica Federativa do Brasil
A former Portuguese colony, Brazil is in Eastern South America bordering the Atlantic Ocean claiming territory as large as the United States. Over 55% of its citizens are white and 38% mixed white and black. The rest of the population is Black, Japanese and Amerindian. With its capital in Brasilia, Brazil is comprised of 26 states and a single federal district: Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins.
The government of Brazil is modeled after the American political system. As a republic, Brazil is led by a popularly elected President and Vice President who serves for four-year terms. The President is both head of state and government. Legislation is the jurisdiction of the bicameral Congress (Congresso Nacional), consisting of the Senate (Senado Federal) and Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados). Senators serve eight-year terms while Deputies serve four-year terms. |
