Brazil is the largest country in South America, approximately three times the size of India. The capital of Brazil is Brasilia. A majority of the population speaks Portuguese and it is the only country in South America which has Portuguese as an official language. The Brazilian culture is a mix of Portuguese, African, indigenous and other European traditions and cultures. It permeates the everyday life of the average Brazilian and it is unmistakable when you interact with them.
For a long time, Brazil was a colony of Portugal and the colonisers have left a strong imprint on Brazilian architecture. You can see excellent examples of Portuguese-inspired architecture in Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and other provincial cities. Brazilian music is world famous, especially Samba. The Africans who were brought to Brazil also developed unique styles by merging native traditions with indigenous influences, creating dance forms like Afoxe, Maracatu and Capoeira. Other native musical styles include Bossa Nova (a combination of samba and jazz) and Choro.
