Brazil is geopolitically divided into five distinct regions, each characterized by unique geographical, cultural, and economic attributes. This division, established by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), serves primarily for statistical purposes and the organization of government resources. The five regions are:

1. North Region (Região Norte)

• States: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins.
• Area: Covers approximately 3.8 million square kilometers, making it the largest region in Brazil.
• Population: About 17.7 million people.
• Characteristics: This region is home to a significant portion of the Amazon rainforest and features a tropical climate. Despite its vast area, it has a relatively low population density and ranks fourth in terms of population among the regions. Major cities include Manaus, which serves as a key economic hub due to its location in the heart of the Amazon.

2. Northeast Region (Região Nordeste)

• States: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe.
• Area: Approximately 1.5 million square kilometers.
• Population: Around 56.9 million people.
• Characteristics: Known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance as the first area colonized by Europeans in Brazil. The Northeast experiences some of the driest conditions in the country but is also famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant festivals. Salvador is its largest city and cultural capital.

3. Central-West Region (Região Centro-Oeste)

• States: Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul; includes the Federal District (Brasília).
• Area: Covers about 1.6 million square kilometers.
• Population: Approximately 15.6 million people.
• Characteristics: This region is characterized by vast savannas and wetlands such as the Pantanal. It plays a crucial role in Brazil’s agricultural production and is home to Brasília, the capital city known for its modernist architecture.

4. Southeast Region (Região Sudeste)

• States: Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo.
• Area: About 924 thousand square kilometers.
• Population: Approximately 86.3 million people.
• Characteristics: The most economically developed region in Brazil, contributing about one-third of the national GDP. It has a diverse economy with strong industrial sectors including finance and services. São Paulo is not only the largest city in this region but also in Brazil.

5. South Region (Região Sul)

• States: Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina.
• Area: Roughly 576 thousand square kilometers, making it the smallest region by area.
• Population: About 29.4 million people.
• Characteristics: Known for its European influences (particularly German and Italian) in culture and cuisine. The South features a mix of agriculture and industry and is famous for tourist attractions like Iguaçu Falls.

Summary Table of Regions

Region	States Included	Area (sq km)	Population (approx.)	Largest City
North	Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará	3.8 million	17.7 million	Manaus
Northeast	Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco	1.5 million	56.9 million	Salvador
Central-West	Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul + Federal District	1.6 million	15.6 million	Brasília
Southeast	Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo	924 thousand	86.3 million	São Paulo
South	Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina	576 thousand	29.4 million	Curitiba

This regional division not only facilitates statistical analysis but also reflects Brazil’s diverse geography and cultural richness across different areas of the country.