BrazilWorld Studies

Why study Brazil?

• 5th largest country in the world, both in terms of population (192 million) and land area.

• Fastest growing economy in the world; currently 6th largest.

• Home to “mega-cities”: Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo

• Host of the 2014 World Cup (soccer) and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

• A diverse and unique culture

Where in the world?

Brazil Physical Map…what do you see?

Mega Cities of Brazil

Rio de Janiero (12 million) Sao Paulo (20 million)

Geography of Brazil

• Brazil is very diverse geographically and ecologically. • Amazon river– Largest river in the world by volume of water

• Amazon rainforest– Largest rainforest in the world– Diversity of plant and animal species, many not even

discovered yet.• Eastern Atlantic coast– Long coast line, beautiful beaches, location of major cities

(Rio de Janiero, Sao Paulo)

Amazon River/ Rainforest

Brief History of Brazil

• Pre 1500: Indigenous people (natives) populate the area of Brazil

• 1500-1822: Colonized by Portugal• 1550-1888: 3 million African slaves

transported to Brazil (35% of total slaves)• 1822: Independence from Portugal• 2010: Dilma Rousseff 1st woman elected as

president of Brazil.

Slave Trade to Brazil President Dilma Roussef

The People of Brazil

• The people and culture of Brazil are extremely diverse.

• Ethnicity– 48% white (European descent), 43% mixed, 8%

black, 1% Asian, less that 1% native• Religion– Christian (74% Catholic, 15% Protestant)

• Language– Portuguese

Ethnic DiversityBrazilian National Soccer Team

Current Issue #1: Favelas

• Brazil experienced rapid population growth as people moved from rural to urban areas.

• As a result, cities such as Rio de Janiero grew very rapidly.

• Development of new housing, public services, could not keep up with the rapid population growth.

• Slums, called favelas, developed on the outskirts of these cities.– Poverty, violence, crime, lack of services plague the

favelas.

Favelas in Brazil

Current Issue #2: Deforestation in the Amazon

• The Amazon rainforest covers much of northern Brazil.

• The rainforest is extremely rich in biodiversity and natural resources.– Rare/ unknown plant and animal species.– Possible cures to various diseases

• Much of the Amazon is being destroyed to make room for development and cattle grazing.

• Efforts are being made to slow the deforestation

Deforestation