What is Brazil’s capital city?

Brasília is the capital city of Brazil.

Brazil officially inaugurated Brasília as its capital on 21 April 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The new city was built inland on the central plateau to encourage national integration and development away from the Atlantic coast.

Urban planner Lúcio Costa designed Brasília’s main plan, while architect Oscar Niemeyer designed many of its landmark government buildings. The city’s layout is often described as resembling an airplane or bird when viewed from above.

Rio de Janeiro was Brazil’s capital from 1763 until 1960, and Salvador served as the colonial capital from 1549 to 1763. Brasília’s planned civic center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.