| | |
Brazil
Country Information
| Location: |
Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean |
|
| History: |
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 half a century 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. |
|
| Government: |
Federal Republic |
|
| Head of State: |
President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003) |
|
| Capital: |
Brasilia |
|
| Population: |
190,010,647 |
|
| Religion: |
Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census) |
|
| Languages: |
Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French |
|
| Natural Resources: |
Bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber |
|
| Agriculture Products: |
Coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef |
|
| Industries: |
Textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment |
|
| Entry Requirements: |
A valid passport and a visa are required by Canadian and American nationals; both single and multiple entry visas are available. Visas must be used within 90 days of issuance. |
|
| Climate: |
Mostly tropical, but temperate in south |
|
| Currency (Codes): |
Real (BRL) |
|
| Exchange Rates: |
Reals per US dollar - 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004), 3.0771 (2003), 2.9208 (2002) |
|
Click to enlarge |
| | |
