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Favelas Expand Nearly Threefold, Covering 460,000 Hectares

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 12:13 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

France 24 correspondents travel to Brazil’s favelas to document residents’ unsanitary living conditions.
Favelas have expanded nearly threefold over 40 years, now covering about 460,000 hectares.
In 1985 favelas occupied roughly 53,700 hectares, highlighting dramatic growth since then.
Growth is most visible in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus and Belém, creating planning and climate challenges.
Reporters Marine Resse, Fanny Lothaire, Mélanie Blondeau and Jan Onoszko provided the coverage.

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Story summary

France 24 correspondents travel to Brazil’s favelas to document residents’ unsanitary living conditions.
Favelas have expanded nearly threefold over 40 years, now covering about 460,000 hectares.
In 1985 favelas occupied roughly 53,700 hectares, highlighting dramatic growth since then.
Growth is most visible in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus and Belém, creating planning and climate challenges.
Reporters Marine Resse, Fanny Lothaire, Mélanie Blondeau and Jan Onoszko provided the coverage.