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South America - Brazil
- 1. Regions: SOUTH Brazil Northern Tropics Andean Countries Southern Grasslands AMERICA
- 2. Brazil With a populationof over 200 million people, Brazil is the largest country in South America and the 5th largest country in the World
- 3. Regions of Brazil- Northeast Fertile Coastal Plain Sugar Cane Plantations Port Cities to allow Brazil export sugar to the rest of the world Africans brought in to work sugar plantations Sertao Interior plain - wet/dry climate (drought followed by rain causes devastating floods) Poverty is severe Life expectancy here is 49 years
- 4. Regions of Brazil- Southeast 11% of the land area; 40% of the population Humid, Sub-tropical Climate fertile soil for growing cotton, sugar cane, rice, and cacao Coffee is Brazil’s largest cash crop! Plantations make Brazil the world’s “coffeepot” Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo largest cities Carnival 4 days of parting preceding Lent (like Mardi Gras)
- 5. Regions of Brazil- Brazilian Highlands Highlands an interior area of hills on Brazils central plateau Brasilia national capital since 1960 Brasilia was built in an effort to draw people away #om the overcrowded coastal cities
- 6. Regions of Brazil- Amazon River Region Largest and least explored region that covers nearly half of the country NE Trade Winds blow from the Atlantic and drop steady rain (+80”/year); mild temps and steady rain produce a growing year ‘round growing season, and large expanses of Rain Forests Amazon Basin home to 1000s of species of plants and animals Amazon Indians native Amazonians (~200,000 from 180 different tribes) are linked through trade networks Indigenous Population (originally 2-5 million) was devastated by Portuguese in 1500s Reservations like in the US, many natives are forced to live on Reservations...
- 7. Economic Overview Brazil is considered one of the world’s leading industrial nations. Growth in industry and manufacturing have led to the development of a true Middle Class because of the need for management. As cities have grown, so has the need for doctors, teachers, and government workers to serve larger urban populations. However, Poverty does exist. In urban areas, the poor live in favelas. In rural areas, many poor farmers live in the Sertao of the Northeast Region. Also, large commercial plantations rely on an abundance of low wage workers.
- 8. Economic Success Gasohol fuel that includes ethanol which is a made from Sugar Cane, a staple product in Brazil. The country no longer imports foreign oil... In 1940 Two thirds of the work force was employed by agriculture. By 2000 Over one third of the work force worked in manufacturing, construction, and mining. Currently About half of the labor force now works in service industries like hotels, restaurants, retail and government. As a result... Brazil now has a skilled, educated and growing middle class.
- 9. Environmental Challenges Deforestation clearing of rain forest for farming or ranching destroys rainforest areas. Clearing these areas removes the vegetation that held the soil and nutrients in place during the steady rains. As erosion depleted the thin soil, more land was cleared to keep farms running -- a Catch 22. Rain Forest Deforestation threatens not only the immediate residents, but people world wide on atmospheric and scientific levels. Enforcement Policies and Taxation help discourage the logging and “slash and burn” clearing practices in the Amazon Basin. Ecotourism provides a way for locals to make money and raises environmental awareness.