BRAZIL

Geography Region: Latin America Continent: South America Major Geographical Features: Amazon Rainforest Amazon River Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest is a major problem.

Amazon River

Amazon Rainforest

Economy

Resources Natural Resources: bauxite, iron ore, and manganese. Major Crops: coffee, soybeans, wheat, sugarcane, and cocoa. Major Exports: textiles, shoes, and motor vehicles. The currency is the REAL.

Government and Civic Responsibility People can vote voluntarily between the ages 16-18 and when they’re over 70 years. It is mandatory to vote when you are between the ages of 18-69. Military people can NOT vote. The president is elected to one term that is 4 years in length. They have mandatory military service. When you turn 21, you have until you’re 45 to serve 9 to 12 months in the military. You are allowed to serve longer and women are allowed to serve.

Culture Soccer is the most important sport in the country. The Brazilian National team has won 5 World Cup Championships (‘58, ’62, ‘70, ‘94, ’02). The next World Cup, 2014, will be held in Brazil.

Culture Carnival is the biggest holiday held in Brazil. The Carnival of Brazil is an annual festival held forty-six days before Easter. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians traditionally abstained from the eating meat and poultry, hence the term "carnival," from carnelevare, "to remove meat.” The country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense

Carnival

Culture School begins in February and ends in November. School is mandatory for kids 7 – 14. The literacy rate if only 88%.

Current Problems Deforestation, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade. Drugs: Brazil is the 2nd largest consumer of cocaine. Brazil is a major production and transportation center for illegal drugs and money laundering.