Final answer:
Brazil is the largest country in South America and was once a Portuguese colony, with Portuguese as the major language and Catholicism as the main religion. It has a mix of European and African cultural influences and is now an emerging global economic power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The largest country in South America is Brazil, which is comparable in size to the continental United States excluding Alaska and Hawaii. As a former Portuguese colony, Brazil's dominant language is Portuguese, and Catholicism is the main religion. The country's culture is a rich tapestry, influenced by European immigration and African slave labor, leading to a diverse ethnic makeup.
In the late 15th century, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided South America between the Spanish and Portuguese empires, with Brazil falling on the Portuguese side of the line. This led to Brazil becoming the central Portuguese colonial possession in the region, focused on plantation agriculture akin to that in the Caribbean, staffed by a significant number of African slaves who were brought over. Consequently, most Brazilians today speak Portuguese and follow the Catholic faith.
Today, Brazil's importance extends beyond its geographic dominance. As the largest economy in South America and one of the ten largest in the world, Brazil is considered an emerging power in the global marketplace. This progress is evident in its urbanization, industrialization, and economic competitiveness.