Federal District (Brazil)

The Federal District is a unique political entity within Brazil. It is located in the country's Center-West Region. This area is the smallest of Brazil's 27 federative units. Unlike other units, it has no municipalities. Instead, it is divided into 35 administrative regions. The city of Brasília sits within this territory. Brasília serves as the federal capital of Brazil. It also acts as the seat of government for the Federal District.

Geography defines the character of the Federal District. It sits high in the Brazilian Highlands. The altitude ranges from 600 to 1,100 meters above sea level. The highest point is Pico do Roncador in the Serra do Sobradinho. The district is almost entirely surrounded by the state of Goiás. It shares only a small border with Minas Gerais along the Preto River. The Preto River marks the eastern boundary. The Descoberto River marks the western boundary. The area is quite large. It is more than double the size of Tokyo. It is also larger than the US state of Rhode Island.

The climate follows a tropical savanna pattern. This system is known as Aw in the Köppen classification. There is a distinct rainy season from October to April. A dry season follows from May to September. The high altitude keeps temperatures warm rather than extremely hot. During the dry season, humidity levels can become very low. This creates a high risk of fires. To help manage this, engineers built Paranoá Lake. This large artificial lake helps minimize severe droughts in the cerrado region.

The history of the district began with a plan to move the capital. Leaders wanted to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to the interior. In 1891, the Exploration Commission of the Central Highlands studied the area. This group included astronomers, doctors, geologists, and botanists. They studied the topography, climate, and resources. They called the area the Quadrilateral Cruls. Later, in 1955, Juscelino Kubitschek promised to transfer the capital. After his election, he created the New Capital Urbanization Company, or Novacap.

Construction of Brasília was a massive undertaking. Architect Lúcio Costa designed the city's pilot plan. Oscar Niemeyer served as the main architect. Joaquim Cardozo worked as the structural engineer. Thousands of workers, called candangos, moved to the region. Many came from Goiás, Minas Gerais, and the Northeast. About 30,000 workers built the city in just 41 months. Construction began with earthworks in November 1956. The capital was officially transferred on April 21, 1960. This date was chosen to honor Tiradentes.

The government of the Federal District has a hybrid nature. It is a special entity that is neither a state nor a municipality. The 1988 Brazilian Constitution gives it this unique status. It holds powers reserved for both states and municipalities. The executive power is led by a governor. The position was formerly called the mayor of the Federal District. The legislative power belongs to the Legislative Chamber. This chamber consists of 24 elected district deputies. This body is a mix of a municipal chamber and a state legislative assembly.

Visitors often explore the famous architecture of the capital. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília was inaugurated in 1970. Oscar Niemeyer designed it with 16 curved pillars. These pillars look like a crown. They hold triangular stained-glass windows designed by Marianne Peretti. The Three Powers Square is another major site. It contains the Planalto Palace, which houses the Presidency. It also holds the National Congress and the Higher Courts of Justice.

Modern life in the district is busy and urban. In 2006, about 94% of the area was urbanized. The 2007 census showed a population of 2,393,000 people. The district is a major economic center. It ranks as the seventh largest federal unit by gross domestic product. People use many facilities, including the Federal District Metro and the National Stadium.

The region continues to be a vital part of Brazil's political and economic system.