For descriptive purposes, Brazil may divided into five distinct regions, which are listed here for your orientation. For more detailed descriptions of each region, click on the "more" buttons at each region.
 

 North
   
This is Brazil's largest and least populated region. The entire Brazilian Amazon Rainforest is located here. The states are: Acre, Amazonas, Para, Roraima, Tocantins and the territories of Amapa and Roraima. The largest cities are Manaus (the capital of Amazonas) and Belem (the capital of Para). 

 Northeast
   
Encompassing the northeastern coastline, this was the first region to be discovered and developed by Portuguese settlers. During the colonial years, most of the slaves were brought to the northeast; the African influence is very evident in the region in the music, dance, food and religious beliefs. This is also Brazil's poorest and driest region. The states are: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceara, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piaui, Maranhao and Rio Grande do Norte. The largest cities are Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife and Maceio.
 

 Midwest
   
This fastest-growing region in the country, the central west includes the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás. Famous for their natural beauty, cattle, agriculture and precious stones, this region is also contains Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil constructed in the late 1950s in the so-called Federal District. Its largest cities are Brasilia, Goiânia, Campo Grande and Cuiaba. 

 Southeast
 
The developed urban center of Brazil. It contains only 11% of the countries territories but contributes to 63% of all industrial production and 44% of the population. This region is known for its gregarious cidade maravilhosa, Rio de Janeiro, and the economic power of São Paulo state. The states are: Espirito do Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Its largest cities are São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Vitoria.
 

 South
 
Considered "the Europe" of Brazil, the south is the most prosperous of all regions. The German, Italian and Eastern European influence is a visible presence in its food, architecture and customs. The Gauchos from Rio Grande do Sul are proud of their heritage and separatist sentiments occasionally flare up. The states are: Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.