Brazil, the largest country in South America, stretches almost 4,350 km (2,700 mi), from the Andes Mountains eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, and borders on every country of the continent except Chile and Ecuador. Its official name is the Federative Republic of Brazil. Brazil occupies almost half of South America and is the world's fifth-largest country in area; only slightly smaller in size than the United States. The capital, Brasilia, was built in the central highlands beginning in 1957 in order to encourage development of the interior.
Brazil's name is derived from the Portuguese word for the reddish color of brazilwood, an important export during the 16th century. Today the country is normally the world's largest exporter of coffee and sugar. It is also a leading exporter of soybeans. Despite the availability of rich agricultural and mineral resources and recently modernized industry, Brazil has an economy that is hampered by a huge foreign debt.
Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822, and in the 19th century enjoyed political stability. In the 20th century, however, social turmoil and political strife led to the overthrow of many administrations. The military controlled the government from 1964 until 1985, when a civilian president took office.
Brazil's name is derived from the Portuguese word for the reddish color of brazilwood, an important export during the 16th century. Today the country is normally the world's largest exporter of coffee and sugar. It is also a leading exporter of soybeans. Despite the availability of rich agricultural and mineral resources and recently modernized industry, Brazil has an economy that is hampered by a huge foreign debt.
Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822, and in the 19th century enjoyed political stability. In the 20th century, however, social turmoil and political strife led to the overthrow of many administrations. The military controlled the government from 1964 until 1985, when a civilian president took office.
LAND AND RESOURCES
Brazil is mostly highland. Its major physiographic regions include the Guiana Highlands, which are north of the Amazon River; the Amazon Basin itself; the Brazilian Highlands, which are south of the Amazon; and the Chaco. Brazil's highest mountain, Pico da Neblina (3,014 m/9,888 ft), is in the northwest of the country near the Venezuelan border. Similar geologic processes formed all of Brazil's highland regions. The deepest and oldest rocks are crystalline granites and quartzites. Over several million years these large blocks of land were upthrusted, dissected by erosion, and then inundated by the sea; during this period, sedimentary layers formed of varying thicknesses. Finally, another episode of uplift and erosion took place. Resistant diabase is responsible for the buttes and mesas common to Brazil's highlands. Uplift along the eastern margin produced the coastal mountain ranges. The eastern margin of Brazilian Highlands, known as the Great Escarpment, slopes abruptly toward the sea. A wealth of data indicates that Brazil was once joined to Africa. The lowlands of Brazil are composed mostly of undisturbed sedimentary rocks of alluvial origin. The coastal plain is narrow and discontinuous. This arrangement of landforms has acted as a deterrent to interior settlement.
Brazil is mostly highland. Its major physiographic regions include the Guiana Highlands, which are north of the Amazon River; the Amazon Basin itself; the Brazilian Highlands, which are south of the Amazon; and the Chaco. Brazil's highest mountain, Pico da Neblina (3,014 m/9,888 ft), is in the northwest of the country near the Venezuelan border. Similar geologic processes formed all of Brazil's highland regions. The deepest and oldest rocks are crystalline granites and quartzites. Over several million years these large blocks of land were upthrusted, dissected by erosion, and then inundated by the sea; during this period, sedimentary layers formed of varying thicknesses. Finally, another episode of uplift and erosion took place. Resistant diabase is responsible for the buttes and mesas common to Brazil's highlands. Uplift along the eastern margin produced the coastal mountain ranges. The eastern margin of Brazilian Highlands, known as the Great Escarpment, slopes abruptly toward the sea. A wealth of data indicates that Brazil was once joined to Africa. The lowlands of Brazil are composed mostly of undisturbed sedimentary rocks of alluvial origin. The coastal plain is narrow and discontinuous. This arrangement of landforms has acted as a deterrent to interior settlement.
Climate
The single most important influence on Brazil's climate is its location on the equator. Temperatures seldom exceed 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) in the tropics, owing to the moderating effects of high atmospheric humidity. At Rio de Janeiro, average temperatures vary from 22 degrees C (71 degrees F) in the coldest month, July, to 27 degrees C (80 degrees F) in the warmest month, January. The northern limit of frost passes through the state of Parana. Most of Brazil receives a moderate rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm (40-60 in), but the Amazon lowlands and several other areas receive more than 2,030 mm (80 in) of rainfall annually.
The single most important influence on Brazil's climate is its location on the equator. Temperatures seldom exceed 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) in the tropics, owing to the moderating effects of high atmospheric humidity. At Rio de Janeiro, average temperatures vary from 22 degrees C (71 degrees F) in the coldest month, July, to 27 degrees C (80 degrees F) in the warmest month, January. The northern limit of frost passes through the state of Parana. Most of Brazil receives a moderate rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm (40-60 in), but the Amazon lowlands and several other areas receive more than 2,030 mm (80 in) of rainfall annually.
Vegetation and Animal Life
Rainfall is the primary determinant of vegetation patterns in Brazil. Tropical rain forest, or selva, is found in the wettest part of the Amazon Basin. The opening of this area to settlement through road building since 1970 has led to the large-scale burning of this forest--an estimated 200,000 sq./km. (77,220 sq./mi. ) was burned in 1987 alone--arousing worldwide concern and prompting a government conservation program. Much of Brazil is covered by savanna, or tropical grassland. In the interior of the northeast, catinga, a low and bushy scrub and thorn forest, is characteristic. Wildlife is abundant in Brazil, although large mammals are rare. Tapirs, capybaras, parrots, and monkeys are plentiful. The small, flesh-eating piranha fish lives in the Amazon River.
Soils
Lateritic soils dominate the Brazilian countryside. Thick, coarse, and reddish, they are deficient in plant nutrients. Rich alluvial soils mark the river floodplains.
Drainage
Brazil is drained by three major river systems: the Parana-Paraguay-Plata in the south, the Sao Francisco River in the east, and the Amazon in the north. The highlands of southern Brazil are drained by the Parana River, Paraguay River, and Uruguay River, water from which flows eventually into the Plata. The Sao Francisco flows northward from the Brazilian Highlands for about 1,600 km (1,000 mi). Waterfalls and currents prohibit navigation in its lower course for about 322 km (200 mi). The Amazon River, the major river of South America, is the world's second longest (6,440 km/4,000 mi), and most of its basin lies within Brazil. No other river approaches its discharge or volume of flow: more than 198,100 m(3) (7,000,000 ft(3)) of water pass through its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean each second, more than ten times the volume of the Mississippi River. The river's channel reaches depths of 91 m (300 ft) in places, permitting oceangoing ships to navigate almost 1,600 km (1,000 mi) upstream. The Amazon's major tributaries are the Tocantins River, Araguaia River, the Madeira River, Rio Negro, the Xingu River, and the Tapajos.
Brazil is drained by three major river systems: the Parana-Paraguay-Plata in the south, the Sao Francisco River in the east, and the Amazon in the north. The highlands of southern Brazil are drained by the Parana River, Paraguay River, and Uruguay River, water from which flows eventually into the Plata. The Sao Francisco flows northward from the Brazilian Highlands for about 1,600 km (1,000 mi). Waterfalls and currents prohibit navigation in its lower course for about 322 km (200 mi). The Amazon River, the major river of South America, is the world's second longest (6,440 km/4,000 mi), and most of its basin lies within Brazil. No other river approaches its discharge or volume of flow: more than 198,100 m(3) (7,000,000 ft(3)) of water pass through its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean each second, more than ten times the volume of the Mississippi River. The river's channel reaches depths of 91 m (300 ft) in places, permitting oceangoing ships to navigate almost 1,600 km (1,000 mi) upstream. The Amazon's major tributaries are the Tocantins River, Araguaia River, the Madeira River, Rio Negro, the Xingu River, and the Tapajos.
Resources
Brazil's mineral resources are superlative, but many are still unexploited. Sizable deposits of iron and manganese ores have been discovered, but Brazil lacks the high-grade coking coal needed to transform them into steel. Brazil is a leading world exporter of iron ore. New discoveries of oil and increased domestic output permitted the country to reduce oil imports from over 58% of requirements in 1971 to 43% by 1991. Production of gold expanded markedly during the 1980s. Discoveries of other minerals--including phosphates, uranium, manganese, copper, coal, bauxite, platinum, and gemstones--are regularly made, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais and the Amazon area.
PEOPLE
Demography
Most Brazilians live in densely populated areas of eastern Brazil. Although urbanization has not produced actual declines in rural population, internal migration has caused cities to grow much faster than rural areas. The largest cities are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, and Porto Alegre. Hundreds of thousands of homeless, a great many of them children, roam the streets. At the growth rate prevailing in the mid-1990s, the population of Brazil was expected to double in 40 years.
The Ethnic Mix
Because of the tremendous influx of immigrants into Brazil during the 19th century, the population is mostly Caucasian (60%) and mixed (30%). The Portuguese were followed by Italians, Germans, Syrians, and Lebanese. Asians, especially Japanese, arrived during the 1930s. About 1 million native Americans, mostly of Tupi-Guarani, Carib, Arawak, and Ge linguistic stock, lived in Brazil when the first Portuguese explorers arrived early in the 16th century. Intermarriage between Portuguese and indigenous peoples produced a new race called mamelucos by the Brazilians. Beginning in 1538, African slaves were brought to Brazil. Almost 5 million slaves were admitted before the abolition of slavery in 1888. Mulattoes, those of mixed black and white ancestry, constitute perhaps 20% of the population. Today, the population of Brazil's three southernmost states is mostly white. Blacks and mulattoes are concentrated along the Atlantic Coast. Native Americans, who fish and practice slash-and-burn agriculture, live mostly in the Amazon Basin. Of the perhaps 200,000 native Americans living in the interior, many are threatened by the gradual encroachment of farmers and miners.
Language and Religion
Although Brazil has a racially mixed population, most of its citizens are united by language and religion. Portuguese is the official language. More than 90% of Brazilians are nominally Roman Catholic, although many practice folk religions that combine Catholic and African elements (see Afro-American religions). Church and state have been constitutionally separated since 1889. Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking and largest Catholic nation in the world.
Although Brazil has a racially mixed population, most of its citizens are united by language and religion. Portuguese is the official language. More than 90% of Brazilians are nominally Roman Catholic, although many practice folk religions that combine Catholic and African elements (see Afro-American religions). Church and state have been constitutionally separated since 1889. Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking and largest Catholic nation in the world.
The Arts
The vitality of the arts in Brazil owes much to the country's racial and ethnic mix. Rio's Carnaval, a spectacular folk festival held each year just before Lent, is a showcase for the samba, Brazil's most characteristic dance, which has a pronounced African beat. Heitor Villa-Lobos was one of the nation's most respected composers. Folk arts and crafts thrive in the rural areas, and many modern Brazilian painters take the everyday life of humble people as their subject. The influence of Mexican revolutionary muralists is apparent in the work of such famous modern artists as Candido Portinari. Brazil's brilliant architects have created outstanding modern structures of a recognizably Brazilian stamp, most notably the nation's capital, Brasilia, which was planned by Lucio Costa. Its buildings, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, blend function and simple beauty. Prominent literary figures of the last two centuries include Jorge Amado, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Euclydes da Cunha, and Gilberto Freyre .
Education and Health
The adult literacy rate in Brazil has risen only gradually. Despite the adult education program MOBRAL, which the government launched in 1971 to increase literacy, the illiteracy rate remained close to 20% in 1994. Official schools offer free preprimary education. Education is compulsory and free between the ages of 7 and 14 years. Secondary education is also free. The University of Rio de Janeiro (1920) is one of South America's leading universities.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
Until recently Brazil's economy has been one of boom and bust; its development has been determined in succession by the world demand for sugarcane, rubber, and coffee. The country has now begun a drive to develop its vast resources and to industrialize. Nevertheless, Brazil is still primarily an agricultural country, with severe economic problems. The reforming "cruzado plan" (1986) in its first year spurred economic growth, but an inflation rate of more than 4,000% per year prevailed in the first six months of 1994. The world financial community has cooperated in rescheduling interest payments on Brazil's massive foreign debt.
Until recently Brazil's economy has been one of boom and bust; its development has been determined in succession by the world demand for sugarcane, rubber, and coffee. The country has now begun a drive to develop its vast resources and to industrialize. Nevertheless, Brazil is still primarily an agricultural country, with severe economic problems. The reforming "cruzado plan" (1986) in its first year spurred economic growth, but an inflation rate of more than 4,000% per year prevailed in the first six months of 1994. The world financial community has cooperated in rescheduling interest payments on Brazil's massive foreign debt.
Agriculture and Forestry
Despite its importance to the economy, The most important commercial crop has traditionally been coffee, largely produced on fazendas ("plantations") in the states of Parana and Sao Paulo and thus subject to frost damage. Even though the quality of coffee from other countries is considered better, Brazil is the world's leading producer and exporter. Other important commercial crops are bananas, soybeans, cacao (of which Brazil is the world's third-largest exporter), tobacco, maize, sugarcane, and oranges. Cattle raising is well developed, and Brazil produces more livestock than does Argentina. Brazil is Latin America's largest exporter of lumber and, despite environmental concerns, cut down more forest in the 1980s than any other country in the world
Despite its importance to the economy, The most important commercial crop has traditionally been coffee, largely produced on fazendas ("plantations") in the states of Parana and Sao Paulo and thus subject to frost damage. Even though the quality of coffee from other countries is considered better, Brazil is the world's leading producer and exporter. Other important commercial crops are bananas, soybeans, cacao (of which Brazil is the world's third-largest exporter), tobacco, maize, sugarcane, and oranges. Cattle raising is well developed, and Brazil produces more livestock than does Argentina. Brazil is Latin America's largest exporter of lumber and, despite environmental concerns, cut down more forest in the 1980s than any other country in the world
Mining and Manufacturing
Iron ore and aluminum ore are the mainstays of Brazilian mining. High-grade hematite has long been mined at Itabira in the state of Minas Gerais, and a new site in the Carajas Highlands in Para, estimated to be the largest deposit in the world, is now under development. The world's largest gold mine, opened in the 1980s, is at Serra Pelada in the Amazon Basin.
Brazil's leading industries manufacture processed foods, chemicals, textiles, metal products and machinery, transportation equipment (automobiles and ships), and petroleum products. Brazil is the seventh-largest steel-producing country in the world, and its automobile industry is the world's ninth largest. Most manufacturing is concentrated in the Sao Paulo area. The country drastically reduced its dependence on imported petroleum in the 1980s through the use of gasohol and hydroelectric power. The Itaipu dam hydroelectric station near Foz do Iguacu on the Parana River, opened in 1982, has the largest generating capacity in the world.
Transportation and Trade
Brazil has the longest road network in Latin America, as well as the most automobiles, trucks, and buses. Among the busiest seaports are Santos, Vitoria, Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua, and Recife. In the interior rivers are major avenues of transportation; topography has hindered the development of an inland rail network. The value of Brazil's exports (including coffee, soybeans, iron ore, processed foods, machinery, vehicles, and vegetable products) is the highest in South America, although drought and fluctuating world prices can significantly alter annual trade balance. Due to its economy and lack of restraint in spending by the government, Brazil is one of the world's largest debtor nations.
Brazil has the longest road network in Latin America, as well as the most automobiles, trucks, and buses. Among the busiest seaports are Santos, Vitoria, Rio de Janeiro, Paranagua, and Recife. In the interior rivers are major avenues of transportation; topography has hindered the development of an inland rail network. The value of Brazil's exports (including coffee, soybeans, iron ore, processed foods, machinery, vehicles, and vegetable products) is the highest in South America, although drought and fluctuating world prices can significantly alter annual trade balance. Due to its economy and lack of restraint in spending by the government, Brazil is one of the world's largest debtor nations.
GOVERNMENT
The constitution of 1969, suspended by a succession of military governments and amended in 1977 and 1978, vested executive power in the president, legislative power in a senate and a chamber of deputies, and judicial power in a supreme court. The country returned to full civilian rule in 1985, but the president was chosen by an electoral college. The new constitution, promulgated on Oct. 5, 1988, provides for a directly elected president and a bicameral legislature. Although the presidential system was retained, the constitution grants greater powers than previously to states and localities. It also created several new states from former territories and states.
The constitution of 1969, suspended by a succession of military governments and amended in 1977 and 1978, vested executive power in the president, legislative power in a senate and a chamber of deputies, and judicial power in a supreme court. The country returned to full civilian rule in 1985, but the president was chosen by an electoral college. The new constitution, promulgated on Oct. 5, 1988, provides for a directly elected president and a bicameral legislature. Although the presidential system was retained, the constitution grants greater powers than previously to states and localities. It also created several new states from former territories and states.
http://yemanjabrasil.com/facts/facts9.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment