Quiz of the Day
Brazil: Land, Culture & History
Monday, 7 September 2026
Brazil declared independence on 7 Sep 1822 — a tour of Brazilian geography, football, carnival, cuisine and history.
1. Brazil declared its independence in 1822 from which colonial power?
- Spain
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- France
Brazil was colonized by Portugal, which is why it is the only country in the Americas with Portuguese as its official language. Independence was proclaimed on 7 September 1822 by Dom Pedro I, the son of the Portuguese king. Rather than becoming a republic, Brazil became an independent empire ruled by Pedro I.
2. What is the capital of Brazil?
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- São Paulo
- Brasília
Brasília became Brazil's capital in 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The city was purpose-built in just a few years in the country's interior to encourage development away from the coast. Its modernist design by architect Oscar Niemeyer and planner Lúcio Costa earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
3. Which river running through Brazil carries the largest volume of water of any river in the world?
- Paraná River
- São Francisco River
- Orinoco River
- Amazon River
The Amazon River discharges more water than the next seven largest rivers combined, accounting for roughly a fifth of all the river water that flows into the world's oceans. It flows across northern Brazil into the Atlantic Ocean. Much of its course runs through the vast Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth.
4. How many times has Brazil's national team won the FIFA World Cup, more than any other country?
- Four
- Six
- Three
- Five
Brazil has won the men's FIFA World Cup five times: in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. This is more than any other nation. Brazil is also the only team to have qualified for and played in every World Cup tournament since the competition began in 1930.
5. Which Brazilian city is world-famous for its enormous annual Carnival celebration?
- Brasília
- Rio de Janeiro
- Manaus
- Curitiba
Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is often called the biggest party on Earth, drawing millions of participants and spectators each year. The highlight is the samba school parade held in the purpose-built Sambadrome. The festival takes place in the days leading up to Lent.
6. The famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks which Brazilian city from atop Corcovado mountain?
- Recife
- Salvador
- São Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer stands about 30 metres tall atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Completed in 1931, it is one of the largest Art Deco statues in the world. In 2007 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
7. What is the official language of Brazil?
- English
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- French
Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language of Brazil, a legacy of Portuguese colonization. Brazil is the most populous Portuguese-speaking country in the world by far. Brazilian Portuguese has developed its own distinct accent, vocabulary and spelling compared to the Portuguese spoken in Portugal.
8. Which legendary Brazilian footballer, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time?
- Pelé
- Garrincha
- Zico
- Ronaldo
Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil and scored over 1,000 career goals during his playing days. He first became a World Cup champion in 1958 at just 17 years old. In 2000 he was named FIFA Player of the Century, sharing the honour with Diego Maradona.
9. Which grilled-meat style of Brazilian barbecue, often served in restaurants where waiters carve skewers at the table, is a national culinary tradition?
- Tandoori
- Yakitori
- Asado
- Churrasco
Churrasco is a Brazilian style of barbecue where cuts of meat are cooked on skewers over an open flame or coals. It has strong roots in the cattle-ranching culture of southern Brazil's gaúcho cowboys. Churrascaria restaurants serve the meat rodízio-style, with waiters bringing skewers to carve directly at each table.
10. Roughly what is the population of Brazil, making it the most populous country in South America?
- About 215 million
- About 400 million
- About 100 million
- About 45 million
Brazil has a population of over 210 million people, making it the most populous country in South America and among the most populous in the world. It is also the largest country in South America by land area. Brazil covers nearly half of the entire continent.
11. Which Afro-Brazilian art form combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts, often accompanied by music?
- Forró
- Capoeira
- Samba
- Frevo
Capoeira was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil, blending fighting techniques with dance-like movements and music. It is traditionally played in a circle called a roda, accompanied by the twanging berimbau instrument. In 2014, capoeira was granted special protected status by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
12. Feijoada, considered by many Brazil's national dish, is a hearty stew made primarily of black beans and what other main ingredient?
- Pork
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Fish
Feijoada is a rich stew of black beans slow-cooked with various cuts of pork, such as sausage, ribs and trimmings. It is typically served with rice, collard greens, orange slices and farofa (toasted cassava flour). The dish is traditionally enjoyed as a leisurely weekend meal shared with family and friends.
13. The Iguaçu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfall systems, sit on Brazil's border with which neighbouring country?
- Chile
- Bolivia
- Peru
- Argentina
Iguaçu Falls straddles the border between Brazil and Argentina and consists of hundreds of individual cascades stretching along nearly three kilometres. The system is far wider than Niagara Falls and taller too. Both the Brazilian and Argentine sides are protected as national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
14. Brazil was ruled as an independent empire until 1889, when it transitioned to what form of government?
- A constitutional monarchy under Portugal
- A republic
- A military dictatorship
- A confederation of city-states
In 1889 a bloodless coup ended the reign of Emperor Pedro II and Brazil was proclaimed a republic. The country had abolished slavery just the year before, in 1888, being the last nation in the Americas to do so. The words 'Ordem e Progresso' (Order and Progress) on Brazil's flag date from this republican era.
15. The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland and a haven for jaguars and caimans, is located mainly in which country?
- Brazil
- Venezuela
- Colombia
- Ecuador
The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, most of which lies within Brazil while extending into Bolivia and Paraguay. It floods seasonally, creating one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in South America. It is considered one of the best places on Earth to spot jaguars in the wild.