Brazil
Brazil
| Area | 8,514,877 sq km | Population | 190,010,647 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Brasilia | |||
| States | 26 and one federal district | |||
| GDP | $1.067 trillion (Nominal) $1.701 trillion (purchasing power parity) |
Brazil is the largest country in eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean by 8.500 km.
It is the only Latin America country "discovered" by Portugal, and this way the only one where the Language is Portuguese. All the others have an Spanish origin. Inside the Country its name is BRASIL with an "S" instead of the "Z" usually used internationally.
The name is derived from a Wood (Pau Brasil), a red wood used to extract dyes for coloring, the first natural resource exploited by the Portuguese.
After that, Sugar Cane, Gold and Silver were the main interest of Portugal.
In 1808, the Portuguese Royal Family tranfered its seat to Brazil, getting away from Napoleon army menace.
Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889.
By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than twenty years of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries, and is expanding its presence in world markets.