_#_Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular—estado)
and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa,
Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias,
Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para,
Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do
Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao
Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins; note—the former territories of Amapa and
Roraima became states in January 1991
_#_Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal)
_#_Constitution: 5 October 1988
_#_Legal system: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
_#_Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet
_#_Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congresso
Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Federal Senate (Senado
Federal) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos
Deputados)
_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal
_#_Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government—President Fernando
Affonso COLLOR de Mello (since 15 March 1990); Vice President
Itamar FRANCO (since 15 March 1990)