Second To The US, This Unexpected Country Has The Most Airports In The World

When talking about countries with sprawling air networks, almost everybody knows that the United States is first on the list and second to none. And that's because of the country's capacity to house thousands of airports spread across its vast landscape. It isn't even a surprise that the United States dominates global air travel infrastructure. However, what might surprise many is the country that comes right after the United States. Want to make a guess? China? Russia? It's Brazil! Yes, Brazil is the unexpected country that has the most airports around the world after the United States.

Of all the things that make Brazil popular — its beaches, rainforests, and carnivals — who would have thought of its air traffic? But as surprising as that may be, it remains a fact you have to sit with. Even though the country's airports are not even among the oldest operating airports in the world, it is still up there with the United States when it comes to the number of airports. So, other than samba, soccer, and stunning coastlines, Brazil is quietly a holder of another record.

Brazil has around 5,297 airports, and these include both public and private certified airdromes. The United States, on the other hand, has about 16,116 airports. And what makes Brazil boast of these figures is the country's geography. Brazil's geography is so massive that it is ranked as the fifth-largest country in the world by area. The country's size makes airports a necessity, as its geography and diversity require a transportation web that will allow both daily travel and international tourism to go on without any hindrance. Brazil is known for its dense rainforests, sprawling cities, and remote communities that are scattered across different distances. For those popular reasons, one thing is certain — roads alone cannot satisfy the country's transportation needs.

So to meet up with their transportation demands, airports, big and small, offer better solutions. And so they have built many, and that has made all the difference. People now move across regions quickly and freely. However, know that a larger percentage of Brazil's airdromes are owned by private individuals. But beyond that, what matters is that the sheer number of airports helps with connectivity, emergency services, regional tourism, agriculture, and transport in areas where there is little infrastructure.

Thinking about your next gateway? Brazil should be at the top of your list, as it's one of the most dollar-friendly destinations in the world.