Brazil

1. Brazil

2. Basic Information • - The Federative republic of Brazil is a democratic nation that originated as a Portuguese colony. • - Brazil was colonized in 1534 by Pedro Alvarez Cabral • -Brazil later won their Independence in 1822 and created its first constitution in 1988, in the now capital Brasilia. Its current leader is DelmaHousseff. • - While there are many Ethnic groups in Brazil, the main language is Portuguese. In addition Brazil is one of the few non Spanish speaking countries in Latin America, however there are some who speak Spanish. Right: The statue of Christ the Redeemer, now the symbol of Rio de Janiero and the 5th largest statue in the world.

3. Geography • Major Cities: • Brasilia(Capitol): 3.789 million people • Sao Paulo: 19.96 million people • Rio de Janiero: 11.836 million people Brazil’s total land area is 8,514, 877 sq km, only slightly smaller than the US which is 9,826,675 sq km

4. People Below: A few famous Brazilians highlighting the diversity of people in the country. In Brazil you will find people of African and European decent as well as some Mullato or mixed people. Adriana Lima: “Pele” : Luiz Silva: CandidoPortinari: Carmen Miranda (Model) ( footballer) (Former president) (Painter) (Singer/Actress)

5. EdsonArantes do Nascime3nto “Pele” • EdsonArantes do Nascimento or Pele was born on October 23 1940 and is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time, whose exploits on the field have garnered him the title “The King of Football.” • Appearing in his first world cup at only 17years old (1957) Pele was the youngest player to appear in a world cup, and the youngest player to score in his first match. • Although Pele has been an extremely important force for soccer on the field, it is his excessive work off the field that has made the largest impact. Acting as the trail-blazer for Brazilian football, Pele was awarded the Brazil’s Gold Medal for outstanding services to the sport. Soccer has been intertwined in Brazilian culture, largely due to “The king of football” Pele.

6. Important Events • September 7 1822: • On this date the Federative Republic of Brazil won its freedom from the Kingdom of Portugal after many years of being a Portuguese colony. • October 5th 1988: • -The first constitution was erected , and from which the entire modern legal system of Brazil is based off of. • January 1st 2011: • -DilmaRouseff the 36th president of Brazil would be the first woman ever hold the Presidential office.

7. Demographics • - Unemployment is 6.7% • - Gini Index = 56. The Gini index of Brazil is rather high in correlation to world and as a result has 26% of people living below the poverty line. Ranking 10th in terms of Gini . The richest 10% receiving nearly 43% of the nations income, while the poorest 10% receive less than 1.2%. -Economic Growth rate= 7.5% Right: Squatters often reside in slums or “Favelas” outside large urban cities.

8. Industries • Brazil has a wide array of different industries which make up 28% of its GDP. • 3 of Brazils main industries are Steel, Machinery and auto parts. Making Brazil one of the leading countries in producing metallurgy.

9. Issues • - Drug Trafficking: Brazil is the world’s second largest consumer of Cocaine, and there are large trace amounts of the coca plant in the Amazon, allowing many drug cartels to produce and distribute the illegal drug. • - Weapons Trafficking: Where there is drug trafficking there is often weapons Trafficking and Brazil is no different. Narcotic shipments between Peru, Columbia and Brazil has sent a surge in drug-related violence weapons smuggling. • -Poverty: Brazil ranks 50th in Gini coefficient index and has the richest 10% receiving nearly 43% of the nations income, while the poorest 10% receive less than 1.2%. This drives a huge wedge between the rich and the poor and as a result has many who live below the poverty line living in slums called Favelas.

10. Soccer • -Perhaps Brazil’s most defining cultural characteristic is its love for the game of soccer. Currently one of the best soccer teams, for both men and women, Brazilians are hailed as expert footballers. • -Currently with 5 world cup victories (the most in the world) Brazil has given birth to some of the world’s finest footballers the world has ever seen. Men like Pele, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho, are all household names to anyone who has kicked around a soccer ball. • -This beautiful game is very much imbedded into the heart and soul of every Brazilian and as such is Brazil’s undisputed favorite sport.

11. Brazil-US relations • - The Brazil and the United states have had very good relations. The united states was the first to recognize Brazil as an independent country in 1822. During both World Wars Brazil had supported the Allies heavily. • - Ever since then, the USA and Brazil have been collaborating quite heavily and have signed several agreements such as the Defense Coorporation agreement. In addition the two Nations meet periodically to discuss topics concerning Biofuels , trilateral Cooporation and eliminating racial discrimination. Right: President Obama shaking hands with former Brazilian President Luis Silva

12. Sources • UN statistics http://unstats.un.org/unsd/databases.htmCIA World Factbookhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ • Us state department http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640.htm • http://data.un.org/Search.aspx?q=Brazil • http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?q=Brazil&d=PopDiv&f=variableID%3a12%3bcrID%3a76