Brazil

Brazil

area:	8,511,970sq km (3,286,472sq mi)
population:	169,543,612
capital (population):	Brasília (2,043,169)
government:	Federal republic
ethnic groups:	White 53%, Mulatto 22%, Mestizo 12%, African American 11%, Japanese 1%, Native American 0.1%
languages:	Portuguese (official)
religions:	Christianity (Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 6%)
currency:	Cruzeiro real

Republic in e South America. Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country, accounting for nearly 50% of the total area of South America. In the n and w, the Amazon basin covers more than half of Brazil and is drained by a river system that carries a fifth of the world's running water. The Amazon, the world's second-longest river, has a far greater volume than any other river. The only major city in this region is Manaus. The ne coast, from the mouth of the Amazon to n Bahia, was the heart of colonial Brazil's sugar plantations. Its major cities are Recife and Salvador. A narrow coastal strip is bordered by an escarpment, above which lies the vast Brazilian plateau. The capital Brasília was moved here in 1960. The se is the most developed and heavily populated part of Brazil. It includes the port of Rio de Janeiro and the industrial sprawl of São Paulo. Belo Horizonte is the centre of the mining region. The s is dominated by the River Paraná, which flows into Argentina.

Climate

Brazil lies almost entirely within the tropics and average monthly temperatures are more than 20°C (68°F), with little seasonal variation. The hottest regions are the semi-arid sertão (backlands) in the ne and the Amazon basin. Most areas have moderate rainfall with a dry season between May and September.

Vegetation

The Amazon basin contains the world's largest rainforests (selvas). The forests are home to countless plants and animals, but many species are threatened by deforestation. The global environmental consequences are staggering. The rapid destruction of the forests is also ruining the lives of the last surviving Native Amazonians. The sertão is a region of thorny scrub. The se contains fertile farmland and large ranches. Swamps are found along Brazil's borders with Bolivia and Paraguay, s of the Mato Grosso.

History and Politics

Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvarez Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500, and colonial development began in 1530s. Brazil was more than 90 times larger than Portugal and development was achieved by the use of Native American and c.4 million African slaves to work on the sugar plantations and in the mines. The growth of mining saw the capital move from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro in 1763. Napoleon's defeat of Portugal led the Portuguese king John VI to flee to Brazil. In 1822 he returned and his son Pedro I declared Brazil an independent empire. In 1831 Pedro I was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Pedro II. During his long reign (1831-89), Brazil's infrastructure developed. In 1888 slavery was finally abolished.

In a bloodless revolution (1889), Brazil became a republic and Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca became the first president. The late 19th century saw an increase in European immigration, spurred by the boom in coffee and rubber prices. In 1930 Getúlio Vargas seized power. His autocratic rule saw the beginnings of industrial development, diversification of agriculture, and an emerging national consciousness. In 1945 Vargas was forced to resign, but rampant inflation led to his return to power (1950–54).

As part of the development of the interior, the capital was transferred to Brasília in 1960. In 1964 the military seized power, maintaining control through the use of torture and death squads. Civilian government was finally restored in 1985, and a new constitution (1988) brought liberal reforms and the transfer of powers to Congress. Fernando Collor de Mello was elected president in 1990. In 1992 he was impeached for corruption and an interim government installed. In 1995 Fernando Henrique Cardoso was elected president. In 1998 Cardoso was re-elected on a platform of austerity measures to cope with Brazil's economic crisis. In 2002 Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva became Brazil's first elected left-wing president.

Economy

Brazil is a rapidly industrializing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$6200). By the mid-1970s, it had also become the world's largest debtor. High rates of inflation (1995, 33%) and unemployment caused widespread poverty and political instability. Its volume of production is one of the largest in the world, but most of the population, such as landless rural workers and residents of the favelas (city slums), are excluded from economic benefits. By 1993 industry had become the most valuable activity (37% of GNP), employing 25% of the workforce. Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of iron ore. Other vital resources include tin, manganese, aluminium, and diamonds. Brazil's manufacturing base expanded rapidly. It is now the world's third-largest producer of commercial vehicles. Brazil remains a major agricultural nation. It is the world's leading producer of oranges, coffee, sugar cane, cassava, and sisal. Other major fruit and vegetable products include bananas, soya beans, pineapples, maize, and tobacco. Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of cattle and horses. Other meat products include beef, pigs and poultry. Forestry is a major industry. Despite international pressure and government promises, deforestation continues at the rate of 1.5% to 4% annually.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.brazilinfo.com; http://www.braziltourism.org