Physical features of Brazil
Brazil has claims to the following islands:
• Fernando de Noronha
• Rocas Atoll
• Saint Peter and Paul Rocks
• Trindade and Martim Vaz Islands
Brazil has borders with Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In fact, Chile and Ecuador are the only South American countries with which Brazil does not share its borders. As a country, it is split into five official regions; namely Central-West, Northeast, North, Southeast and Southern Brazil. These are then split into 26 states and a Federal District.
The Amazon Rainforest is a very important part of the world’s natural resources. It is home to an estimated one-third of all known animal species and makes up about half of the world’s rainforests. The Amazon River carries more water into the Atlantic Ocean than any other river does to any other body of water. This river winds for more than 3 200 kilometers (2000 miles) within the country and holds about one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. At its narrowest point, the river is 1.6 kilometers wide, and some 48 kilometers at its widest during the wet season. The Amazon Basin occupies about two-thirds of the country’s area.
The Brazilian Highlands (also known as the Brazilian Plateau) are, in general, under 4 000 feet (or 1 220 meters) above sea level. They cover most of the central, eastern and southern parts of the country and are home to an astounding array of fauna and flora. The highest point in Brazil is Pico de Neblina, which measures an impressive 9 888 feet, which is equivalent to 3 014 meters. The huge central plateau (Planalto Central) is approximately 1 000 meters or 3 281 feet above sea level.
The majority of the coastline comprises the Great Escarpment, which gives those looking at the shore from the sea the impression of looking at a huge, imposing wall.
• Fernando de Noronha
• Rocas Atoll
• Saint Peter and Paul Rocks
• Trindade and Martim Vaz Islands
Brazil has borders with Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In fact, Chile and Ecuador are the only South American countries with which Brazil does not share its borders. As a country, it is split into five official regions; namely Central-West, Northeast, North, Southeast and Southern Brazil. These are then split into 26 states and a Federal District.
The Amazon Rainforest is a very important part of the world’s natural resources. It is home to an estimated one-third of all known animal species and makes up about half of the world’s rainforests. The Amazon River carries more water into the Atlantic Ocean than any other river does to any other body of water. This river winds for more than 3 200 kilometers (2000 miles) within the country and holds about one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. At its narrowest point, the river is 1.6 kilometers wide, and some 48 kilometers at its widest during the wet season. The Amazon Basin occupies about two-thirds of the country’s area.
The Brazilian Highlands (also known as the Brazilian Plateau) are, in general, under 4 000 feet (or 1 220 meters) above sea level. They cover most of the central, eastern and southern parts of the country and are home to an astounding array of fauna and flora. The highest point in Brazil is Pico de Neblina, which measures an impressive 9 888 feet, which is equivalent to 3 014 meters. The huge central plateau (Planalto Central) is approximately 1 000 meters or 3 281 feet above sea level.
The majority of the coastline comprises the Great Escarpment, which gives those looking at the shore from the sea the impression of looking at a huge, imposing wall.