The Geography of Brazil

Brazil? Or NOT Brazil? Get out a sheet of paper, number it 1-10 For each of the following, decide whether the picture was taken of Brazil or if the picture was taken somewhere else in the world We will review at the end to check out answers

North Eastern Brazil

What is a Plateau? Sertao – Means “interior Plateau” – Tropical wet/dry climate – Soil is unfertile because of the tough dry season Imagine trying to plant crops in the scenes shown by the following pictures

Notice anything indicating a lack of water in this picture?

Sertao

North Eastern Region Many people living in this region suffer from poverty – Life expectancy is only 49 – Population living most in cities – Malnutrition and low income Economy based upon tourism and cotton production

Tourist Economy in NE Brazil

Cotton Production

South eastern Brazil 40% of total Brazilian population lives in this region Subtropical Climate and fertile soil – This region produces many cash crops sugar, coffee, rice, cotton, cacao Largest Cities and industry in this region – Also home to shantytowns known as “favelas”

Sau Paulo

Rio De Janeiro

Brazilian Highlands Southern/Central region of the country Landlocked region Economy – based on raising cattle – Recently tourism has become popular to the Brazilian Highlands Brazils capital is in this region

Amazon River Basin Largest and least explored region. Heavy rainfall – Constant growing season – Thousands of species of plants and animals

Amazon River Piranhas

Toucan

Poison Dart Frog

Amazon River Basin Home to Amazon Indian tribes – Issues » Panara tribe highway built through land » Reservations Loss of culture, language, etc. Similar to American reservations

Indigenous Brazilians

Economy Economic Growth – Government built first steel mill, oil refinery in the 1950s – Government established bank, hydroelectric dams, and other infrastructure – Manufacturing thrives in steel industry, chemical industry, and automobile industry Established massive highway building system – How did this affect the Panara tribe? – How did this affect the Brazilian economy?

Environment Environmental Challenges Soil Erosion – Thick vegetation kept soil full of nutrients – Clearing of forests renders soil unusable – To keep farms running, more land must be cleared Deforestation – Threatens the vast plant and animal species » Hypothesize possible problems of deforestation? – Taxes and law enforcement try to maintain forest – Ecotourism encouraged by government » Increases awareness and does little/no harm

Burning of Trees in Brazil

Deforestation in Brazil

Effects of deforestation

Closure Create a graphic organizer summarizing the key points of the lesson include Economic development, The four regions and their characteristics, environmental issues, and anything else you deem applicable. This graphic organizer will be turned in with your summative essay.