Brasília - The Capital of Brazil
- Population
- 3,055,149
- Language
- Portuguese
- Continent
- South America
- Since
- 1960
- Eco Ranking
- 47/195
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
About Brasília
Brasília is one of the most deliberate acts of political geography in the 20th century. Brazil's previous capital, Rio de Janeiro, had held that status since 1763, but President Juscelino Kubitschek, elected in 1955, made the construction of an entirely new inland capital the centerpiece of his modernization program, encapsulated in the slogan 'fifty years of progress in five.' Construction began in 1956, and Brasília was inaugurated on 21 April 1960. The relocation was intended to draw development toward Brazil's underpopulated interior, reduce the dominance of the coastal cities, and project national ambition. The city was designed by urban planner Lúcio Costa, with iconic public buildings by architect Oscar Niemeyer, including the National Congress building, the Presidential Palace (Palácio do Planalto), and the Supreme Court. Brasília was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, just 27 years after its inauguration, the youngest city ever to receive that designation at the time. On 8 January 2023, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Presidential Palace, the National Congress, and the Supreme Court in Brasília, in a significant attack on democratic institutions.
About Brazil
Brazil is a federal presidential republic composed of 26 states and the Federal District, in which Brasília is located. The 1988 constitution, enacted after 21 years of military rule (1964-1985), established Brazil's current democratic framework. Brazil operates a proportional representation electoral system that produces a highly fragmented legislature, requiring coalition-building across dozens of parties to govern.
View Brasília on the map
Flight time from Brasília to other capitals
| City | Distance (km) | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | 2300 | 2h 42m |
| Washington, D.C. | 6800 | 8h 0m |
| Cape Town | 6900 | 8h 7m |
| Paris | 8700 | 10h 14m |
| London | 8800 | 10h 21m |
| Rome | 8900 | 10h 28m |
| Abu Dhabi | 11900 | 14h 0m |
| Canberra | 14100 | 16h 35m |
| Singapore | 16500 | 19h 25m |
| Tokyo | 17700 | 20h 49m |
Capitals with similar population to Brasília
Capitals with similar eco ranking to Brasília
| City | Eco Rank |
|---|---|
| Caracas | 45 |
| Libreville | 45 |
| Bridgetown | 46 |
| Singapore | 47 |
| Brasília | 47 |
| Panama City | 48 |
| Havana | 49 |
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Brasília built as Brazil's capital?
Brasília was built to relocate Brazil's capital from Rio de Janeiro to the interior of the country, with the goals of spurring development in the underpopulated central highlands, reducing the economic concentration along the coast, and projecting national modernization. President Juscelino Kubitschek initiated the project as the flagship of his development agenda; the city was inaugurated in 1960.
When did Brasília become the capital of Brazil?
Brasília became Brazil's capital on 21 April 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro, which had been the capital since 1763. The transfer of the federal government was a major logistical undertaking, and some ministries took years to fully relocate from Rio de Janeiro.
Who designed Brasília?
The urban layout of Brasília was designed by urban planner Lúcio Costa, who won a national design competition in 1956. The major public buildings, including the National Congress, the Palácio do Planalto, and the Supreme Court, were designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer in a Modernist style. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
What happened in Brasília on 8 January 2023?
On 8 January 2023, thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked the Presidential Palace (Palácio do Planalto), the National Congress, and the Supreme Court in Brasília. The attack came eight days after the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Hundreds of people were arrested, and the event was widely compared to the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Is Brasília the largest city in Brazil?
No. Brasília is the fourth-largest city in Brazil by population, with around 3 million people in the Federal District. São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are significantly larger. Brasília was designed as an administrative capital, not a commercial or industrial center, which explains its relatively modest size relative to Brazil's economic metropolises.
Sights and landmarks
Climate and best time to visit
Regional significance
Economy
