1. BRAZIL

2. The land and Its Regions
Chapter 12 - section 1
Brazil is the largest country in area and population in South America (slightly smaller in area than the U.S.)
2 landforms of Brazil:
1. Plains - along the coast and Amazon River Basin
Coast - climate humid subtropical
2. Interior plateaus with steep cliffs that separate the plateaus from the plains -- Escarpments

3. Colonizing of Brazil
Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese who built up sugar plantations on the northeastern coastal plains
They enslaved many Africans for work there. The interior plains of Brazil are called sertao Farmers raise chickens and cattle and grow corn.Tropical wet/dry climate

4. Climates Sertao region - tropical wet and dry
Southeast region - humid subtropical climate and fertile soil

5. Southeast Region
Crops are rice, sugar, cotton and cocoa beans (chocolate)
The most important crop is coffee -- Brazil grows 1/4 of the worlds coffee

6. Major Cities of Brazil Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro coastal cities
-- many people have migrated to these cities but haven’t found work.
Favelas -- poor areas of the city, often built on the hillside

7. End of section 1 notes Brasilia -- capital of Brazil since 1960
Moved inland to keep people away from the coastal areas
Amazon River Basin is over 1/2 the country but only 10% of the people -- mostly indigenous and some are very primitive

8. SECTION 2 -- Brazils Quest For Economic Growth
Unequal distribution of wealth -- small % control the plantations and therefore the wealth
In 1940 the Brazil Government starts 2 programs
1. Boast Brazils economy - steel mills, dams, oil refineries
2. Develop the infrastructure of the interior to help move people from the coast
road building
million people moved to the Amazon Basin (Gov. was giving away grants of land).

9. Sect. 2 continued Gasohol - gasoline and ethanol
Ethanol - fermentation of sugars from carbohydrates found in agricultural products used to make fuel
Brazil - sugar cane is used for ethanol
Brazil /3 of pop. were working in ag.
less than 1/3
1/3 in manufacturing and another 1/2 in service industries
This causes a lot of problems with over population and unemployment
Negative effects:
1. Poor people flocking to already over populated cities
2. Deforestation - leading to erosion and soil depletion
3. Hardships for indigenous people - disease and homeless

10. Sect. 2 notes
90 % of Brazils electricity is generated by falling water
Ecotourism is helping the economy of Brazil - tourism that encourages environmental awareness
Natural resources - gold, iron ore, and nickel
Arable land - 5%
Currency the “Real” - $1.8 to $1 dollar

11. End of Sect. 2 notes
Brazil is a republic with a President, cabinet, Leg. Branch, and Jud. branch
Oct. 27, 2002 and President Luis Lula de Silva was elected
26 states in Brazil