Potpourri of Brazilian Facts Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pedro Álvares Cabral

Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467-1520) was a Portuguese nobleman, explorer and navigator who is considered the European to encounter Brazil on April 22, 1500. Cabral led a squadron of 13 ships heading for India, by the route that skirts Africa but, intentionally or not, started to sail to the West when on April 22, 1500, he encountered the land that is called Brazil.

After exploring part of the land, Pêro Vaz de Caminha, the secretary of the fleet, wrote a letter, that is considered the first document of the Brazilian history.

This letter was sent on a ship back to Lisbon to notify King Manuel I about the discovery.

Answer: Independence Day

After its discovery, Brazil became a Portuguese colony. In 1808, with the French invasion of Portugal, the royal family moved to Brazil and created the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve, a monarchical state. Brazil ceased to be a colony and assumed the functions of a metropolis.

In 1821, the royal family returned to Portugal and the Prince Dom Pedro de Alcantara de Bragança (1798 - 1834), heir to Dom Juan VI, was appointed as regent of the kingdom of Brazil. In Portugal, pressure increased for Brazil to lose its status as part of kingdom and become a colony again and for the prince to return to Portugal.

These facts and the great animosity prevailing in the country between the Portuguese and the Brazilians created conditions for independence to be proclaimed.

The Prince Regent Dom Pedro, in accordance with his will and the will of the Brazilians, proclaimed independence on September 7, 1822. On this occasion, the Brazilian Empire was created and Pedro was acclaimed the Emperor Dom Pedro I.

Answer: Anavilhanas Archipelago

The Anavilhanas archipelago is one of the largest river archipelagos in the world made up of more than 400 islands, a number that varies according to the water level of the Negro River, which is about 10 meters in ebb and flood periods. The archipelago that is in the state of Amazonas, is part of the Anavilhanas National Park and is a World Heritage Site.

It is a very interesting place to visit for its wildlife and unspoiled Amazon landscape. The closest big city to the Anavilhanas Archipelago is Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas.

Answer: Fernando de Noronha Archipelago

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago located 354 km offshore from Brazilian coast, in the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast of mainland Brazil. It is part of the State of Pernambuco and is composed of 21 islands and islets. During the war, the location of the archipelago was very important on the route from America to Dakar, and in 1942, a detachment of American and Brazilian military personnel was installed there.

In that year, a new airport runway was built by the United States Air Force, and the airport was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Navy in 1944.

After the end of the war, the administration of the airport was transferred back to the Brazilian government. Marine life is the main attraction on the island, which is why it is a popular tourist place.

Answer: Marajó Island

The island of Marajó is the largest fluvial island in the world. It is part of the Marajó Archipelago, which belongs to the State of Pará. Marajó Archipelago is bordered the mouth of the Amazon River, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pará River. Much of the island becomes flooded during the rainy season as a large lake. An important economic activity in this area is the ranching of water buffalo.

Its beautiful beaches bring lots of visitors. The island is known for the Pororoca tidal bore. Surfing there, although dangerous, became popular, and it is a place where international championships are often held.

Answer: Pantanal

Pantanal is a biome consisting of savanna, with 250,000 km² in area and an average altitude of 100 meters, that is mostly flooded. Almost 60% of the Pantanal area is in Brazil and the remaining area is in Paraguay and Bolivia. The Pantanal fauna is very rich: insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and the rivers are full of fish. Pantanal vegetation is varied.

It is an interesting place for tourists.

Answer: Bananal

The island of Bananal is one of the largest river islands in the world formed from the 200 km bisection of the Araguaia River in the state of Tocantins, in central Brazil. The smallest tributary of the Araguaia River is the Javaés River. The island has an area of ​​about 20,000 km², equivalent to Slovenia.

The island is home to rich flora and fauna, being one of the largest ecological sanctuaries in Brazil and has cultural relevance due to the large number of indigenous tribes that inhabit it.

As a tourist destination, it offers swimming at beaches, fishing, bird watching, etc.

Answer: Niobium

Niobium is a chemical element with the Nb symbol and atomic number 41. Brazil concentrates more than 95% of known reserves and accounts for 90% of world production.

Answer: Santos

The city of Santos is in the state of São Paulo. It has several cargo terminals for different types of products, for handling solid, liquid bulk, containers, passengers and cargo in general. Santos is the main foreign trade rout in Brazil. The city of Santos, one of the oldest in Brazil, is known for its soccer and for the player Pele, for its beautiful beaches and for the fantastic beachfront garden that is about six kilometers long.

Answer: Iguazu

The Iguazu Falls are located in southern Brazil in the State of Paraná on the border of Argentina. The waterfalls are 2.7 km long and they comprise 275 falls all together. The name Iguazu or Iguaçu consists of two words from the Guarani language: "y" which means "water" and "uasú" meaning "big".