BRAZIL covers almost half of South America and is bordered by all countries in South America except Chile and Ecuador with the Atlantic to its east. It is a relatively flat country and nowhere do the highlands exceed 3000 metres (10,000ft). 60% of the country is plateau and the remainder is plains. In the far south the Parana and Uruguay Rivers, which both have their sources in Brazil, make up the River Plate Basin. The Guiana Highlands which are situated north of the Amazon are partly stony desert and part forested. The Mato Grosso is a vast tableland between the rivers coming from the south and the Amazon. From this rise mountains forming a steep protective barrier from the coast. This is called the great escarpment.

The majority of people live in the southeast states, 9 million in Sao Paulo on the tropic of Capricorn and 5.5million in Rio de Janeiro, which is slightly more to the north. In the northern region is the 'exotic Amazon', an area almost entirely covered with rainforest and abundant with nature. The northeast region is renowned for its many beautiful beaches as well as historical and folklore traditions. The central west region is best known for its huge cattle ranches and plantations. The southeast region is the most developed area and offers the best tourist facilities.

The climate varies throughout the country with the south being the most temperate. The rainy season occurs in the north from January to April, in the northeast from April to July and in the southeast from November to March.