Brazil – Emerging Giant Chapter 8 Section 1

Objectives What is the capital of Brazil? Where do most of the people live? What are two big problems happening in Brazil?

Brazil’s Rain Forests and Highlands Brazil has three areas: narrow coastal plains, highland areas and lowland river valleys The Amazon River is the worlds 2nd longest river It drains water from a wide, flat basin, or low area surrounded by higher land.

Satellite Image of Amazon River

Continued… In the Amazon Basin, rainfall can reach as much as 120 in. of rain a year. These rains are needed for the thick rain forests that Brazilians call selvas. The Brazilian Highlands cover about half of the country, then drop sharply to the Atlantic Ocean. This drop is called the Great Escarpment. An escarpment is a steep cliff between higher and lower land

Brazil’s Economy The Amazon Basin’s trees are harvested for rubber Mining companies dig for minerals such as bauxite, tin and iron ore Logging companies harvest mahogany Farmers used cleared land to grow soybeans and tobacco

Brazil Economy Southern Brazil is rich in minerals and farmland It has one of the world’s largest iron ore deposits Brazil produces more coffee than any other country in the world Brazils major cities are in the south and on the coast. Major Cities: Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo

Where do Brazilian Exports Go?

Brazil’s Economy Challenges 1/5 of the population live in extreme poverty Most of these people live in slums called favelas Deforestation, or the destroying of large areas of forest, is a very big problem in Brazil.

Brazil’s History and Culture Brazil has the highest population of all Latin American countries with 176.5 million people. The culture is largely Portuguese Most Brazilians today speak a Brazilian form of Portuguese and follow the beliefs of Roman Catholicism.

Influence of History Native Americans were the first to occupy In the 1500’s Portuguese forced Native Americans to work and live on large plantations Most Native Americans died of disease Many Africans were brought over to replace the dying Native Americans These Africans were enslaved, but it was later banned in 1888.

Moving to the Cities Population shift from rural areas to coastal cities to find jobs The government wants people to move back inland National Capital moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia.

The Government Declared independence from Portugal in 1822 Government went from empire(1889) to military dictator to what it is now, a democratic nation. The Brazilian President has more power over Brazil than many presidents who lead other countries, including the U.S.

Leisure Time Carnival is held in Rio de Janeiro every year Soccer, or futbol is the most popular sport Brazil has one of the largest tv networks in the world.

What did we learn? What is the capital of Brazil? Where do most of the people live? What are two big problems happening in Brazil?