The 2022 Best Countries to Travel Alone rankings are drawn from a international survey of greater than 17,000 humans and spotlight nations based totally on respondents’ perceptions of them in relation to seven united states of america attributes: culturally accessible, fun, friendly, first-class climate, safe, scenic and unapproachable.
Occupying half of South America's land mass, Brazil is the giant of the continent – both in size and in population. Brazil's history is filled with economic turmoil, veering from boom to bust, and its culture is a melting pot that has traditionally welcomed the world.
Brazil is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. However, the country in the 21st century confronts serious questions touching on poverty, inequality, governance and the environment.
Brazil gained independence from Portugal in the early 19th century, and its government evolved from monarchy to military dictatorship to civilian rule. Today, Brazil is a democratic federal republic.
Rich with natural resources, Brazil's economy is active in the agricultural, manufacturing, mining and service sectors. The nation is a top producer in coffee production. Brazil’s economy grew rapidly during the first decade of the 21st century, and it now has one of the world’s largest economies in terms of gross domestic product, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The boom has faced a slowdown in recent years, which in turn has triggered growing public anger over longstanding issues of poverty and allegations of corruption cutting across the nation’s social, economic and political institutions.
Brazilian studies estimate that corruption annually costs the country billions of dollars and the issue figures to be prominent in the country's general elections in 2018.
Brazil's culture draws from Portuguese, indigenous and African influences. Its music merges European and African elements. The sports-crazy nation loves football – soccer to a North American and Australian audience – as well as volleyball.
The scale of Brazil's landscape is massive. Its coastline with the Atlantic Ocean stretches for more than 4,600 miles. The Amazon River is the world's second longest. It is considered to have the greatest variety of plants, mammals and fish of any nation in the world, thanks to the sprawling Amazon rainforest.
Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, and is an active member of major international and regional organizations, including the Group of 20, BRICS and the Organization of American States.