15 Curiosities about Brasilia – See first hand!

Before we know some curiosities about Brasilia, be aware that this city became the capital of Brazil in 1960, and is a planned city known mainly by its modern architecture, designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Also known as “City of Hope”, the city keeps interesting curiosities about its origins, history and some other details.

In addition to being the political center of Brazil, Brasilia is one of the only modern cities in the world to receive the title of Cultural Heritage of UNESCO humanity.

To learn more about the federal capital of Brazil, check out our list with 15 curiosities about Brasilia.

1- History

The city began to emerge through a plan idealizing the federal capital of Brazil in the center of the country. The first mention of the name dates from 1822, but the construction of the city only occurred in 1956, during the government of President Juscelino Kubitschek.

Brasilia has as its inauguration date on April 21, 1960, although it was not fully ready.

2- The construction of Brasilia

The city was planned by urban planner Lúcio Costa under the direction of architect Oscar Niemeyer. What differentiates Brasilia from most other Brazilian cities is that its urban planning was planned from the beginning. Brasilia’s construction project is recognized as one of the most complete and modern in the world.

3 – Curiosities about Brasilia  – Novacap

President Juscelino Kubitschek created Novacap – Nova Capital Urbanizing Company, a company that was charged with the construction of Brasilia. The company’s board has architect Oscar Niemeyer as technical director.

4- Oscar Niemeyer

As one of the most important architects in Brazil, Niemeyer designed the projects of the first buildings of Brasilia, such as Catetinho (first residence of President JK in the city), Palace of Alvorada, Brasília Palace Hotel, Planalto Palace, Três Powers Square, Museum National and numerous others.

5- The opening ceremony

At midnight of April 21, 1960, Brasilia was officially inaugurated. In the city streets, people live a mood of joy and emotion.

“Today we have become a page in the history of Brazil. We feel that we have a bolder and most visible duty to do,” said President Juscelino Kubitschek through the inaugural speech.

6- Curiosities about Brasilia  – Receipt of the Pope’s message

Pope John XXIII sent a Portuguese message in his possession in the city of Brasilia, which was broadcast by the Brazilian radio network. The inauguration of the new capital of Brazil will be a blessed moment for the country, said the Pope.

7- Lake Paranoá

One of Brasilia’s main postcards is Lake Paranoá. He graduated as the city was built on the banks of the Paranoá River. Around you there are several leisure options and artificial beaches.

8- Aerial view

From above, you see Brasilia in the form of a plane. However, this was not the original idea. The architect who planned the city, Lucio Costa, would do the project to give the city the form of a butterfly, said Jarbas Márquez, director of the Department of Historical and Cultural Heritage, to state radio.

9- Original Plan

According to the initial conception of the established plan, Brasilia should be a city that would change Brazilian society. People will live in affirmative housing in the so -called “community areas”.

However, this does not appear in practice. The elite got the best neighborhoods, while the low classes had to move to the peripheries.

This is reflected to this day, since the capital of the Federal District has one of the most expensive square meters in Brazil.

10 – Curiosities about Brasilia  – Cultural inheritance

The Federal Capital of Brazil received the title of UNESCO Cultural Heritage on December 7, 1987. With an area of 112.25 square kilometers, the city is the largest listed area in the world.

11- Has no corners

Brasilia is located in an area called Central Plateau, which explains some interesting details about the construction of the city. Brasilia has no corners.

The place is divided into blocks and neighborhoods, not corners, and the main streets and avenues of the city are in the form of “scissors”.

12 – Curiosities about Brasilia – The population

The population of Brasilia is one of the most miscegenated in Brazil, as most people living there were born in other parts of the country.

According to IBGE, the city has 2,974,703 inhabitants, which makes it the third most populous city in the country.

13 – The largest flag in the world in Brasilia

The largest flag in the world is located in the Three Powers Square, so called because there are the buildings that represent the three powers of the Republic: Executive (Planalto Palace), Legislative (National Assembly) and Judiciary (Federal Supreme Court).

14- Greater than New York Central Park

Brasilia also has the largest urban park in all of Latin America. This is the city of Brasilia, which occupies an area of 420 hectares, larger than the famous New York Central Park.

15 – Curiosities about Brasilia  – Large Latin Article Landfare

Until 2017, Brasilia had the largest dump in Latin America. The structural dump ended its activities at the beginning of 2018. The height of the sterile pile is over 70 meters and the accumulated volume exceeds 40 million tons.

Well, these were the 15 curiosities about the capital of Brazil that we wanted you to know exclusively. Comment below what you found most interesting about Brasilia and if you have any more information you would like to give us. Your opinion is very important to us!