Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest by area globally. Spanning diverse biomes from the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal wetlands, its geography is characterized by immense natural wealth and varied climates. The nation is a federation composed of 26 states and one Federal District, with Brasília serving as its federal capital. With over 212 million inhabitants, Brazil is one of the most populous and ethnically diverse nations in the Americas, where Portuguese is the predominant language.