Brazil is a South American country that has one of the largest populations in the world. They are home to around 221 million people. There are 26 different states in Brazil and many large cities. There are more than 200 cities that have populations over 100,000. This lists breaks down the top 10 cities by population.
Brazil’s 10 Most Populous Cities
1. Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo has a population of 10,022,000 people and covers roughly 587 square miles. Their economy is largely centered around the service sector, with the industrial sector being the second largest contributor to their GDP. This city in Brazil is a vital part of Brazilians economy as a whole, as it produces roughly a third of the nation’s GDP. Soccer is a huge part of Brazilian culture, but specifically, in Sao Paulo it holds significance. This city hosted the opening game of the 2014 World Cup! Their education system is the largest in the country, and also has the largest research and development system. They are also well known for their towering skyscrapers.
2. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is home to 6,024,000 and its metro area covers 485 square miles. Rio is one of the most popular tourist destinations, as it is known for its beautiful beaches. While it is one of the smallest states by landmass, it still manages to be the second-most populous. Rio is very well known for hosting Carnival, which brings more than two million people into their streets. Carnival is the last five days before Lent and has tons of float, costumes, and dancers. The industrial sector is the main part of their economy, followed by the service sector.
Salvador has 2,712,000 residents and their metropolitan area spans 268 square miles. Initially the first Capital of Brazil in 1549, it is one of the oldest colonies in the Americas. This city in Brazil is known for its high-class residential areas which include its popular beaches, shopping malls, and tropical climate. Their ports and trading economy are vital to Brazil’s economy. They are the second-largest tourist destination, behind Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, Salvador has an incredibly high crime rate. Their culture greatly celebrates African culture. They are also known for their great music and architecture.
Fortaleza has 2,400,000 people and covers 121.6 square miles. It is an industrial and commercial hub of Brazil. One of the most important and traveled highways in Brazil, the Br-116, begins here. Residents of this city are commonly known and referred to as Fortalezenses. There is a plethora of historic landmarks, great dining, nice shopping centers, and urban beaches in Fortaleza. Their climate is known for high temperatures, and relative humidity year long.
5. Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the fifth-largest city in Brazil and has a population of 2,373,000 spanning 127.8 square miles. The service sector is the main contributor to the local economy, as it accounts for 85% of the city’s total GDP. Multinational company giants have offices in Belo Horizonte, such as Google. In the past, the industrial sector was the dominating sector but that changed in the late 1990s. This beautiful city has mountains, forests, and a nature reserve.
Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and the sixth-largest city, with a population of 2,208,000 across 2,240 miles. The three major branches of the Brazillian government, the executive, judiciary and legislative branches, are located here, as well as many embassies and airports. This city hosted many games in the 2014 FIFA world cup and during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Unlike many cities in Brazil, Brasilia is more of a governmental and service center rather than an industrial one.
This city holds 1,718,000 inhabitants over an area of 166.4 square miles. Curitiba is the largest city in the state of Parana, in the southern region of Brazil. The city is a large hub for car manufacturing and is known as a good place to invest. Curitiba is also a major tourist location, featuring museums like the Museum of Curitiba, designed by famed Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Many festivals take place during the year, such as the Grape fest and the Imin Matsuri, which celebrate Italian and Japanese immigrants.
Manaus has a population of 1,598,000 people and spans across 165 square miles. This city in Brazil is located in the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world. Manaus is also a commercial city at a major port. Some of Manaus’ main industries include shipbuilding, tourism, petroleum refining, and soap manufacturing. In May, festivals such as Ponta Negra Music festival and the Amazonas de Opera festival attract many tourists. Another celebration in June called the Folclorico do Amazonas includes folk dancing and the honoring of the saint of fishermen.
This city is the 9th largest in population, with a total of 4,127,000 people with an area of 84.17 square miles. This city is the largest in the state of Pernambuco, to the northeastern end of Brazil. This area is associated with industrial products, such as cars, ships, and electronics. Recife is known as an important commercial hub in this region. The city is also known for having historical sites dating back to the times of Dutch and Portuguese colonization. Porto de Galinhas, a beach just south of the city, has been named the best beach in Brazil multiple times.
Balém has a population of 1,486,000 people in the city, but a total of 2,492,052 people including the metropolitan area. This city is the capital of the northern state of Pará. Located on Guajará Bay, the city is located near Guama River and the Amazon River Delta. This major Brazilian city spans a length of 409.04 square miles. Balém has an average temperature of around 80 oF, being in an equatorial climate. This city is often called the Cidade das Mangueiras, or the “city of mango trees”. Belém participates in the Círio festival, often referred to as the “Christmas of the Amazon”. This holiday takes place on the second Sunday in October where the people of Balém process through its streets celebrating Saint Nazare.
I hope that this article on largest cities in Brazil was helpful! If you are interested, visit the City Facts Page!