Destination Brazil

Background

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.

Area

• Total: 8,511,965 sq km
• Land: 8,456,510 sq km
• Water: 55,455 sq km
• Note: Includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

Area - comparative

• Slightly smaller than the US

Coastline

• 7,491 km

Climate

• Mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Terrain

• Mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Population

• 188,078,227 (July 2006 est.)

Capital

• Brasilia

Nationality

• noun: Brazilian(s)
• adjective: Brazilian

Languages

• Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French

Local Weather

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