Brasília

Brasília
Federal capital
Região Administrativa de Brasília Administrative Region of Brasilia
From upper left: National Congress of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Juscelino Kubitschek bridge, Monumental Axis, Palácio da Alvorada and Cathedral of Brasília.
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): Capital Federal, BSB, Capital da Esperança
Motto: "Venturis ventis"  (Latin) "To the coming winds"
Location of Brasília in the Federal District
Brasília Location of Brasília in Brazil
Coordinates: 15°47′38″S 47°52′58″W / 15.79389°S 47.88278°W / -15.79389; -47.88278
Country	Brazil
Region	Central-West
District	Distrito Federal
Founded	April 21, 1960
Area
• Total	5,802 km2 (2,240.164 sq mi)
Elevation	1,172 m (3,845 ft)
Population (2011)(est.)
• Total	2,556,149 (4th)
• Density	480.827/km2 (1,245.338/sq mi)
	population of the Federal District
Demonym(s)	Brasiliense
GDP
• Year	2006 estimate
• Total	R$ 161,630,000,000 (8th)
• Per capita	R$ 61,915 (1st)
HDI
• Year	2014
• Category	0.911 (1st)
Time zone	BRT (UTC−3)
• Summer (DST)	BRST (UTC−2)
Postal code	70000-000
Area code(s)	+55 61
Website	www.brasilia.df.gov.br (Portuguese)
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Brasilia
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iv
Designated	1987 (11th session)
Reference no.	445
Region	Latin America and the Caribbean

Brasília (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾaˈziljɐ]) is the federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. The city is atop the Brazilian highlands in the country's center-western region. It was founded on April 21, 1960, to serve as the new national capital. Brasília and its metro (encompassing the Federal District) had a population of 2,556,149 in 2011, making it Brazil's 4th most populous city. Among major Latin American cities, Brasília has the highest GDP per capita at R$61,915 (US$36,175).

Brasília was planned and developed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer in 1956 to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central location. The landscape architect was Roberto Burle Marx. The city's design divides it into numbered blocks as well as sectors for specified activities, such as the Hotel Sector, the Banking Sector and the Embassy Sector. Brasília was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its modernist architecture and uniquely artistic urban planning.

The centers of all three branches of the federal government of Brazil are in Brasília, including the Congress, President, and Supreme Court. The city also hosts 124 foreign embassies.Brasília International Airport connects the capital to all major Brazilian cities and many international destinations, and is the third busiest airport in Brazil.