Complete List of Cities and Towns in Brazil with States and Capitals

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a country packed with amazing cities, wild nature, and colorful carnivals? Welcome to Brazil! Brazil is not just football, the Amazon, and Rio’s beaches. It’s home to more than 5,570 different cities and towns, spread across 26 exciting states and one special Federal District. Whether you’re preparing for school general knowledge quizzes or just curious about world geography, learning about Brazil's cities can be a real adventure! Let’s take a tour from the top of the map down to the very bottom.

Meet the Mighty Map of Brazil – So Many States and Cities!

What Makes a City or Town in Brazil Special?

Each city or town in Brazil is called a “município” (that’s “moo-nee-SEE-pee-oh”!), and it’s much more than just a place with houses and shops. Some municípios are huge, with millions of people, tall buildings, and famous festivals. Others are tiny, tucked in the forest or along winding rivers. The biggest city is São Paulo—imagine a city so busy, it’s even bigger than some entire countries!

• 26 states in Brazil, each with its own adventures.


• One Federal District—this is Brasília, the capital city.


• Over 5,570 cities and towns, all part of this giant country.

Can't-Miss Fun Fact: City Names Galore!

Some of Brazil’s cities, like "Rio de Janeiro" (which means "River of January") or "Porto Alegre" ("Happy Port"), have truly cheerful names! Many come from Portuguese, some from native Tupi, and some from other cultures that came to Brazil long ago.

How Did Brazil Get So Many Cities?

A Quick Time Travel!

• In the 1500s, the Portuguese built the first cities: think Salvador and Recife.


• The 1800s brought gold and coffee riches, so cities popped up in new places.


• In 1960, Brasília was built in the middle of Brazil (surprise, it’s not on the coast!) to be a modern capital.


• Now, over 85% of people in Brazil live in cities—one of the highest rates anywhere!

From little farming villages to mega cities, Brazil’s urban areas tell stories of adventure, planning, and mixing of cultures.

Why Do These Cities Matter for GK and Exams?

Not Just Places on a Map!

• Major cities are economic powerhouses—factories, banks, and trade all happen here.


• Cities like Salvador and Recife are full of music and food you’ll only taste in Brazil!


• Brasília, one of the world’s youngest capitals, is brilliant for urban planners to study.


• Map questions and city-capital puzzles are common in school, government, and world exams.

Don’t forget, knowing the cities also helps you understand Brazil’s famous festivals, sports, and even its nature conservation efforts. That’s why Vedantu always adds Brazil topics to its general knowledge practice sets!

City vs Town vs Village – What’s the Real Difference in Brazil?

Let’s Break It Down

Why Does São Paulo Always Make the Headlines?

Let’s Compare to Brazil’s Other Mega Cities

São Paulo is almost twice as big as Rio! It’s famous for business, style, pizza, and world-class football. Each city, whether it’s sun-soaked Fortaleza or planned Brasília, has something special for Brazil and for GK questions!

Quick Table: Brazil’s States, Capitals, & A Big City in Each

What’s in a Brazilian Zip Code? (CEP!)

How Do You Find an Address in Such a Huge Country?

• Brazilian zip codes are called CEP: Código de Endereçamento Postal.


• CEP looks like this: 12345-678 (5 numbers, a dash, then 3 numbers).


• Each city (and even neighborhood) can have its very own code!


• Sample: São Paulo Center = 01000-000, Brasília = 70350-000.

Which Exams Will Test You on Brazilian Cities?

Study Smart – What’s Most Important to Remember?

To practice similar Indian city nicknames, check this cool city nicknames list on Vedantu!

Did You Know? Some Brazilian Cities Are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

World-Famous Urban Gems

• Ouro Prêto: a gold rush city with amazing old churches


• Brasília: the whole city is a planned masterpiece!


• Salvador: known for Afro-Brazilian history and colorful houses

Fun Example Q&A – Can You Answer This?

Question: How many states does Brazil have, and what is the capital city?
Answer: Brazil has 26 states and one Federal District. The capital is Brasília.

Practice Questions for Urban Explorers

• Match the capital: What is the capital of the state of Paraná?


• Which city is bigger: Belém or Manaus?


• Find out the postal code CEP for any city you like!

Common Mix-Ups Every Student Makes

• Thinking Rio de Janeiro is the capital (it’s not—Brasília is!)


• Mixing up a “state” (like Bahia) and a “city” (like Salvador)


• Confusing a “town” and “village”—remember, both can be part of a municipality!

Your Brazilian GK Adventure – Time for a Quick Recap!

From the bustling streets of São Paulo, to the planned beauty of Brasília, to thousands of cozy towns deep in the Amazon, Brazil’s cities show what happens when people, culture, and geography mix. Remember, you now know how these places are grouped, what their names mean, and how they pop up in exams! Make some colorful flashcards, trace a Brazil map, or quiz your friends—and soon, you’ll be a Brazil city master, ready for any GK challenge.

Want to Explore More? Useful Links for Curious Kids

• IBGE – Official statistics of Brazil


• NCERT Geography Texts


• Find a Brazilian City Zip Code (CEP)


• UNESCO World Heritage Cities

Keep exploring with Vedantu for more fun topics, and get ready to ace your next GK test!