Brazil civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Brazil with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
Brazil's federal republic, the 1988 Constitution, the National Congress and its states.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Brazil?
Brasília
Brasília has been Brazil's capital since 1960. Rio de Janeiro and Salvador were earlier capitals.
What is the name of Brazil’s national legislature?
National Congress
The National Congress is made up of two houses: the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
In which year was Brazil’s current Constitution adopted?
1988
The current Constitution was adopted in 1988, after the end of military rule, and is often called the Citizen Constitution.
What form of government does Brazil have?
A federal presidential republic
Brazil is a federal republic in which an elected President is both head of state and head of government.
Besides the Federal District, how many states make up Brazil?
26
Brazil's federation is made up of 26 states and the Federal District, where Brasília is located.
History 5 questions
From Portuguese colonisation and independence in 1822 to the end of slavery and the republic.
Which European country colonised Brazil?
Portugal
Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral reached Brazil in 1500, and it remained a Portuguese colony until independence.
In which year did Brazil declare independence?
1822
Prince Pedro declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on 7 September 1822 and became Emperor Pedro I.
What was the Golden Law (Lei Áurea) of 1888?
The law that abolished slavery
The Golden Law, signed by Princess Isabel on 13 May 1888, abolished slavery in Brazil.
In which year was the Brazilian republic proclaimed?
1889
The monarchy ended on 15 November 1889, when the republic was proclaimed. The date is a national holiday.
Which city was Brazil’s capital immediately before Brasília?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro was the capital until 1960, when the government moved to the newly built city of Brasília.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
The Amazon, Portuguese language, the real, the flag's motto and famous landmarks.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
What is the official language of Brazil?
Portuguese
The Constitution makes Portuguese the official language of Brazil.
What is the name of Brazil’s currency?
The real
Brazil's currency is the real (plural reais), introduced in 1994.
Which motto appears on the flag of Brazil?
Ordem e Progresso
The words Ordem e Progresso, meaning Order and Progress, are written on a band across the blue globe.
Which great river flows through northern Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean?
The Amazon
The Amazon crosses northern Brazil and reaches the Atlantic. Its basin holds the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
In which city does the Christ the Redeemer statue stand?
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer stands on Corcovado mountain, overlooking Rio de Janeiro.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Brazil Civics format.