What are the differences between Brazilian Vs Mexican?

Last Updated on July 10, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Brazilian and Mexican cultures differ in several aspects. Brazil primarily speaks Portuguese, while Mexico speaks Spanish. Geographically, Brazil is the largest South American country with the Amazon rainforest, while Mexico is in North America with varied landscapes. Brazilian cuisine includes feijoada and pão de queijo, while Mexican cuisine is known for tacos and guacamole.

Brief Country comparison

Below is a comparison table showing some important information for both countries

 BrazilMexico
Official NameThe Federative Republic of BrazilUnited Mexican States
FlagThe Brazilian flag consists of a blue disc that shows a sky partly filled with stars. The atmosphere also has a curved band passing through it, with the country’s writing motto. All these are within a yellow rhombus that is on a green field.The flag consists of a vertically divided and striped rectangle in three colors; green, red, and white. The white color in the middle contains a coat of arms drawing with an eagle, cactus, and serpent on it.
AreaIt is approximated to be 8,515,767 km2It is approximated to be 1,972,550km2
Population210,147,130128,649,570
CapitalBrasiliaMexico City
Largest Metropolitan area Sao PauloMexico City
First LeaderPedro 1 of BrazilAgustin De Iturbide
Current leaderJair BolsonaroAndres Manuel Lopez
Independence declaration daySeptember 7th, 1822September 16th, 1810
Official LanguagePortugueseSpanish
CurrencyBrazilian RealMexican peso
   

How does Brazil compare to Mexico?

  • 19.23% more education expenditures (6.2% of GDP vs 5.2% of GDP)
  • 1.86x more forests (61.9% vs 33.3%)
  • 83.45million more inhabitants (210.15 million vs 126.7 million)
  • 59.02% lower population density (25 people/km² vs 61 people/km²)
  • 2296$ billion higher GDP (PPP) (3495$ billion vs 1199$ billion)
  • 0.7 more hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants (2.2 vs 1.5)
  • 6.58% higher percentage of internet users (81% vs 76%)
  • 1 year longer school life expectancy (15 years vs 14 years)

Social Norms: Brazilian Vs. Mexican

Each country, community and even individual has some unique features in its norms and practices. These norms play a huge role in the way people interact with others, speak and behave. They also shape how people are viewed and help to differentiate people from different backgrounds.

Mexican Social Norms

They can also be referred to as Mexican Culture.

Mexicans highly value respect and courteousness when it comes to both parents and the elderly. One is also expected to be open to family and friends. This is a means to open the social connections fully.

I admire that the migrants with no documentation necessary are just referred to as undocumented migrants instead of being referred to as illegal. This does not justify that they are not in the country rightfully, but it just gives them that respect.

Each Mexican citizen is also required to understand the country’s cultural achievements clearly. This brings a sense of acceptance and appreciation to the culture.

Mexicans are also friendly and enjoy listening to tales from other parts of the world.

What they do not allow as part of their culture include;

  • Do not talk ill or criticize the Virgin of Guadalupe. In general, do not talk ill of the Catholic Religion.
  • Do not emphasize Mexico’s problems or even go ahead to condemn and make the Mexicans feel ashamed about them.
  • Criticizing others, especially in public, is also condemned.

Brazilian Norms and cultural values

Brazilians have values that they follow as they guide them through living together. They also have some vices which they highly condemn.

They believe that body gestures are key elements of communication. They, therefore, have no problem with shaking hands, making eye contact, and even generally kissing on the cheeks. However, when it comes to the okay gesture, they tend to have a wrong impression with the thumb up and finger in a circle as they interpret it incorrectly. It is also advised that when visiting your Brazilian friends or even when invited to a Brazilian Home, it is important that you take a gift. It is a threatening gesture to be empty-handed. Most of them are kind-hearted and will see the gift as something very important and not look at its quantity.

Brazilians love to dance, football, food, and events such as New Year’s Eve.

Most Brazilians believe in the Catholic church and have great respect for it. Some also believe in Lemanja, the Goddess of The Sea. All religions are accepted and respected, and none is seen as more important than another. This brings a balance in terms of Religion.

Climate: Brazil Vs. Mexico

 The weather and climate in Brazil and Mexico are very different, but they all have wonderful climates.

The climate and soil of Brazil

Generally, Brazil experiences two climates: tropical and sub-tropical climates. However, the Northeastern part of Brazil is excluded as it shares very dry conditions. The precipitation in Brazil is fairly moderate, with areas near the Amazon Basin experiencing more rainfall.

The central part of Brazil mainly consists of the Brazilian Highlands. This explains why this region has very high precipitation. The previously mentioned Northeastern part may be affected by the high rainfall in the Brazilian Highlands.

  1. The area may experience very heavy rains with storms which may later lead to floods
  2. The area may not receive a single drop and may end p having a severe drought.

The weather patterns determine the two conditions above at rainfall in the Highlands.

For temperatures, during summer, temperatures are generally uniform but seem to be slightly cooler in the highlands and the Rio coast. The Northeastern region is at its climax with temperatures of up to 29 degrees.

Brazil has its winter season from May to October most of the time. During this time the Brazilian highlands are dry during this period. Some states may also experience some snow.

We can’t look into Brazil’s climate and miss to mention its soil. Brazil is known for its vast and highly productive soil. The soil is highly nutritious and gives it an upper hand when it comes to growing quality plants and food. Farming in Brazil is done almost everywhere. How? The Brazilian highlands have high rainfall, which keeps the plants in check. The Northeastern areas are also managed well despite experiencing dry conditions from time to time. Through silicates, laterites, and other fertilizers, the infertile soils are made fertile and are well irrigated, supporting plant growth.

The Mexican climate

Like Brazil, Mexico also has its dry and rainy seasons. The dry season comes between November and May, while the rainy season is from June to October.

Mexico has a tropical climate with the two mentioned periods and regular temperature fluctuations in between the seasons. The temperature always ranges between 500 F and 900F annually, with a yearly humidity of around 70%. The highlands and mountainous regions tend to be cooler with fairly lower humidity.

Struggle for independence

Most countries were colonized and had to fight to attain independence. Brazil and Mexico both fought for their independence.

The Mexican fight for independence

This war was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos, and Zambos for independence gain from Spain. The war started as a small rebellion but ended up being big enough so that the country could be a free state. The eleven-year war was truly gainful when the Treaty of Cordoba was signed, and Mexico gained its independence from Spain. Many died, many were wounded, and many families were broken. It was a proclamation of independence from Spain. Mexico selected over 20 commanders to guide the soldiers into fighting throughout the war years to win the war.

Brazil’s struggle for independence

Brazil made several attempts to get its freedom from Portugal’s reign. There was a lot of bloodshed and deaths. The Tooth Puller, also known as Tiradentes, started the rapture in 1789. However, he was executed, his forces defeated, and the martyrdom for independence began through him. Brazil was greatly affected by the French Revolutionary and, most importantly, the Napoleonic wars. Once Brazilians had a way in, they never looked back and kept fighting for the land and country that was rightfully theirs. The history of independence in Brazil cannot be complete without its great leaders, Pedro the first and Pedro the second. Brazil still went under transition until it became fully independent in 1822.

Final word

Both Brazil and Mexico are beautiful countries with beautiful landscapes, people, and climates. They both share a lot in common as well as many differences. Nevertheless, both countries share difficult independence-gaining situations. They are both countries with strong leaders who managed to help achieve their independence. It is not easy to select which country is best between the two. Each country is unique and has some factors and characteristics that make it special.

https://www.worlddata.info/country-comparison.php?country1=BRA&country2=MEX

https://allthedifferences.com/brazil-vs-mexico-know-the-difference/