BRAZIL Government, Economy, & Culture Global Studies

Fast Facts Population: 202,656,788 (July 2014 est.) -6 th most populous nation in the world- Capital: Brasília Largest City: São Paulo Monetary Unit: Real (1 real = 100 centavos)

Major Cities: Brasília Chief city of the Central West Brazil’s national capital Considered an outstanding example of modern large-scale city planning Shaped roughly like a giant airplane Buildings of its central area are bordered by a V-shaped artificial lake.

São Paulo Chief industrial city of Latin America Largest city in Brazil Bustling, modern city Center of the Brazil's textile industry

Rio de Janeiro One of the world's most beautiful cities Incredible harbor Picturesque steep mountains Magnificent modern apartment houses Wide, tree-lined avenues One of the most visited and most often photographed cities in the world.

BRIC Affiliation Emerging Middle Class Leading producer of raw materials in Latin America Drastic economic gains from

Government Federal republic, consisting of 26 states and the Federal District of Brasília States have legislatures and governors (like us!). Direct elections of president and vice president to 6-year terms. The president is head of both state and government. National Congress: legislative body with the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate. From 1964 to 1985, the military controlled the government who suspended constitutional guarantees of rights. Civilian government was restored in 1985, and a new democratic constitution took effect in 1988.

Madam President of Brazil Dilma Vana Rousseff President of Brazil since 1 January 2011 First woman to hold the office.

Economy Mixed: both government and private sector are involved Based on: – Manufacturing: employs the most; food products and textiles – Agriculture. Agricultural products are Brazil's chief export. Among the world's leading producers of soybeans, coffee, cacao, sugar, corn, oranges, bananas, pineapples, tobacco, and cotton.

Economy continued -Mining and Forestry: Iron ore is Brazil's leading single export. -Trade: Imports come mainly from western Europe, Japan, the United States, and Venezuela. *Brazil is a partner with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in Mercosur: 1991; eliminated tariff barriers and made it easier for member nations to trade with one another.

Culture Portuguese-inspired from being a colony of Portugal for so long Language: Portuguese Religion: Roman Catholic Known for: sculpture, holidays (carnival), painting, and literature, and architecture, music, and dance (samba!) ds/people-places-kids/brazil-dest-kids/ ds/people-places-kids/brazil-dest-kids/

Hot Topic: Environment Selva: rain forest – Deforestation – Economic gains – Ethanol substitution for gasoline

Trivia Extra: “Fordlandia”