What is the official language of Brazil?

Portuguese is Brazil’s official language because the country was colonized by Portugal starting in 1500 (Pedro Álvares Cabral). Even after independence in 1822, the language remained. Today, Brazil is the world’s largest Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) nation, with a distinct Brazilian Portuguese variety that differs in accent and some vocabulary from European Portuguese. Tip to remember: Most of South America speaks Spanish, but Brazil is the notable exception—think “Brazil = Portuguese,” the only major Lusophone country in the Americas. You might also recall the city name Porto Alegre (“Happy Port”), hinting at Portuguese heritage. While many indigenous and immigrant languages are spoken in Brazil, Portuguese is the official language used in government, education, and media.