People
Pelé
Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The only player to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), he became a global ambassador for football.
Lived: 1940–2022 · Known for: Footballer
Brazil: leaders, famous people, culture and history
9 places on the atlas covering people, architecture, culture, festivals and folklore. Highlights include Pelé, Cathedral of Brasília, Capoeira and Rio Carnival.
See Brazil on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Pelé, Neymar and Ronaldinho
- Architecture Cathedral of Brasília and Christ the Redeemer
- Culture Capoeira
- Festivals Rio Carnival
- Folklore Samba de roda and Bossa nova
Who leads Brazil?
| President (head of state and government) | Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Brazil’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Brazil
- Pele footballer
- Machado de Assis novelist
- Oscar Niemeyer architect
- Santos-Dumont aviation pioneer
- Carmen Miranda singer and actress
- Paulo Freire educator
- Tom Jobim bossa nova composer
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Brazil
- Greeting Greeting is warm: handshakes in business, a kiss on the cheek (one or two) between friends. Eye contact is expected.
- Talk Close personal space and touch are common. The 'OK' hand sign is rude, so use a thumbs-up instead.
- Time Social events begin late, but be punctual for business.
People in Brazil
People
Neymar
Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
A skilful forward who became Brazil's second-highest scorer, and who played for Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal.
Born: 1992 · Known for: Footballer
People
Ronaldinho
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
A playmaker famous for his smile and tricks, he won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the Ballon d'Or in 2005.
Born: 1980 · Known for: Footballer
Architecture in Brazil
Architecture
Cathedral of Brasília
Brasília, Brazil
Oscar Niemeyer's cathedral has curved concrete columns that form a crown shape, with stained glass filling the gaps between them.
Built: Consecrated 1970 · Style: Modernist
Architecture
Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A 30-metre statue of Jesus with open arms on top of Corcovado mountain, looking out over Rio.
Completed: 1931 · Style: Art Deco statue
Culture in Brazil
Culture
Capoeira
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil, capoeira mixes fighting, acrobatics and music, played in a circle called a roda with a berimbau.
Tradition: Dance-like martial art
Festivals in Brazil
Festivals
Rio Carnival
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Samba schools compete in the Sambadrome with enormous floats, costumes and music, while street parties fill the city.
Usually: February–March · Theme: Samba parades · Months: February, March
Folklore in Brazil
Folklore
Samba de roda
Recôncavo, Bahia, Brazil
A circle dance with singing and percussion that developed among Afro-Brazilian communities in Bahia. It is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Kind: Dance and music
Folklore
Bossa nova
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A gentle mix of samba and jazz born in Rio's beach neighbourhoods in the late 1950s. The Girl from Ipanema made it known worldwide.
Kind: Popular music
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Brazil today, a short selection of well-known people from Brazil, and the 9 places pinned for Brazil on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Brazil on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, architecture page, culture page, festivals page and folklore page.
Questions about Brazil
Who is the leader of Brazil?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Brazil?
Well-known people connected with Brazil include Pele (footballer), Machado de Assis (novelist), Oscar Niemeyer (architect), Santos-Dumont (aviation pioneer) and Carmen Miranda (singer and actress).
Which famous people from Brazil are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Brazil include Pelé, Neymar and Ronaldinho. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in Brazil?
Festivals on the atlas for Brazil include Rio Carnival. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in Brazil?
Notable buildings and sites in Brazil on the atlas include Cathedral of Brasília and Christ the Redeemer. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Brazil known for?
Food and customs from Brazil on the atlas include Capoeira. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Brazil have?
Folklore and music from Brazil on the atlas include Samba de roda and Bossa nova. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Brazil on the map?
Choose See Brazil on the map above, or search for Brazil on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Brazil?
Greeting: Greeting is warm: handshakes in business, a kiss on the cheek (one or two) between friends. Eye contact is expected. Talk: Close personal space and touch are common. The 'OK' hand sign is rude, so use a thumbs-up instead. These are general customs, not legal advice.