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Brazil Introduction Brazil is said to be the type of country a thousand or more words could never adequately describe. It is one of the largest, most populated countries in the world. But it’s vast size, breath taking geographical features, and diverse people are not what make Brazil. Its history, economy, government, culture and resources that make it the country it is today. It is the largest country in South America. Brazil occupies almost half of the South American continent. In this research paper Brazil will be explained by divulging information on its: land and resources, people and society, economy, government and history. Perhaps by the end Brazil will be revealed in all her shinning glory. The basics As stated before Brazil is located on the South American continent. Its capital is Brasilia and Brazil’s largest city is Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo also serves as the main industrial center of the nation. Its two main physical features are: the densely forested lowlands of the Amazon in the north, and it’s generally open uplands of the Brazilian highlands in the south. (Encarta) Brazils’ population is extremely diverse consisting of: Native Americans, Portuguese settlers, and African slaves. As can be imagined this caused an extremely complicated and complex mixture and culture. This fact, among others, leans to the reason for such a rich and unique Brazilian culture. Brazil’s estimated population is 176,029,560. The official language is Portuguese, but Spanish, English, and French are also spoken. Aside from these four main languages, there are over 100 indigenous languages. The most important of these indigenous languages include: Tupi, Ge, Arawak, and Carib. Over 90% of the Brazilian population are Roman Catholic. The government is a Federal Republic with a president ruling and a bicameral legislature. The People Surprisingly enough this huge melting pot for the Native American, European, Portuguese, and African people have very few ethnic tensions. Racial classification often reflects a persons economic or social standing. The Native American people were the first to occupy Brazil but now make up the smallest portion. The Portuguese came into play in 1500 with the Europeans following after 1850. The Africans came to Brazil as slaves from the mid 1500-1850. In 1850 the slave trade was ended, as did the Africans migration to Brazil.
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