· The Northeast has a population of over 53 million people, only 7 million less than Italy. This region comprises nine states: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe. The three most populous cities are Salvador, Fortaleza, and Recife. In contrast, Sergipe is the smallest state in Brazil ...