Brazil History and Facts

Brazil gained independence in 1822 after three centuries under Portuguese rule. Until the abolition of slavery in 1888, it maintained a monarchical system of government. In 1889, the military proclaimed a republic.

Populist leader Getulio VARGAS gained power in 1930, ending the political reign by coffee exporters. Up until 1985, the military regime peacefully passed its power to civilian rulers after more than 50 years of control.

Brazil is the largest country in South America and continues to pursue growth in its agricultural and industrial areas and improve its interior. Brazil is South America’s regional leader and economic power due to its extensive supply of natural resources and a large supply of labor. Income distribution and crime remain high and create problems requiring attention.

Area:  total: 8,511,965 sq km
           land: 8,456,510 sq km
           water: 55,455 sq km
           note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

Climate:  mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Terrain:  mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Elevation extremes:       lowest point- Atlantic Ocean 0 m
                                     highest point- Pico da Neblina 3,014 m

Natural resources:  bauxite, gold and silver, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Land use:  arable land- 6.93%
                 permanent crops- 0.89%
                 other- 92.18% (2005)

Irrigated land:  29,200 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:  8,233 cu km (2000)

Natural hazards:  recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Environment issues:  deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

Geography - note:  largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

source: CIA world fact book