Brazilcelebrates its National Day on this day. Commonly called Sete de Setembro, this public holiday celebrates Brazil’s Declaration of Independence from Portugal on this date in 1822. The celebration of National Day takes place at the Ministries Esplanade in Brasilia, the country’s capital, with a military parade in the presence of the President of Brazil. Similar military parades are held in all the state capitals and in many cities throughout the country.

Brazil is the largest country in South America, occupying almost half of the continent. It is the world’s fifth largest country. Its largest city is Sao Paulo, and its capital is Brasilia. Its population is very diverse because of the intermingling among Native Americans, Portuguese settlers, and African slaves.

Brazil is the only Latin American country settled by the Portuguese. It became a Portuguese colony for more than 300 years starting in 1500. Brazil achieved its independence in 1822.

Brazil is the most industrialized nation in South America, with a rapidly modernizing economy and a largely urban population. Tropical crops and minerals remain significant exports, but manufactured goods are increasingly important. The country has rich and diverse fauna. It ranks first in the world for numbers of species of mammals, freshwater fish, and plants.

The manufacturing sector has been a key to Brazil’s economic development. A major objective of Brazil’s industrialization policy was to replace imported manufactures with Brazilian-made ones. As a result, industry has become highly diversified, including a range of high-technology and heavy industries. This diversification includes such manufactured items as food, drink, textiles, clothing, vehicles, and chemicals.

We congratulate the people and government of Brazil lead by H.E., President Luiz Lula da Silva, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Alcides Gastao Rostand Prates, on the occasion of their National Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.