Here's the breakdown:
1. Origin: The name "Brazil" comes from the Pau-Brasil tree, a reddish-colored wood that was highly prized in Europe.
2. Portuguese Influence: Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to reach the land that is now Brazil, and they named it after the prominent tree.
3. Portuguese Spelling: In Portuguese, the letter "z" is used to represent the "s" sound at the end of a word.
4. Evolution: Over time, the name "Brazil" was adopted into English and other languages, but the original Portuguese spelling was largely retained.
Therefore, the "z" in "Brazil" is a direct result of the language of the original explorers and the way they spelled the word. It's a reminder of the Portuguese influence on the country's history and culture.