Brazil ranks in the world in terms of production. Federal Republic of Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America. The characteristic of the country includes a description of the nature, population, state structure, economy and major development issues. Read our article and you will learn a lot of new and interesting things about this distant country.
Brazil: characteristics of the state (general information)
The Republic of Brazil is in the top five. It occupies the entire east and center of the South American continent.
The city of Brasilia (an amazing consonance with the name of the country!) is the capital of the state of Brazil. Characteristic of this locality may be the following: the capital, built from scratch. The city was really founded only in 1960 and was built just for the needs of the capital.
The configuration of Brazil is surprisingly compact: from north to south, the country stretches for 4320 km, from west to east - for 4330 km. The total length of all borders is simply amazing: almost 16,000 kilometers. Brazil shares borders with ten countries.
The characterization of the state is impossible without deepening into its history. Initially, Brazil was (it was the Portuguese Pedro Cabrala who was the first European who landed on its shores in 1500). In 1822, the country declared its independence, and at the end of the same 19th century, it became a full-fledged republic with a bicameral parliament. Nevertheless, Portugal had a significant impact on the development of the South American state: the Brazilian population speaks Portuguese and professes (mostly) Catholicism.
Brazil: characteristics of natural conditions and resources
The relief of the country is very diverse: in the north - the low valley of the Amazon River, in the south and in the center - the Brazilian Plateau, which abruptly breaks off to the sea with rocky ledges. Mount Bandeira (2890 meters) is the highest point in Brazil.
Characterization of the country is impossible without a description of climatic conditions. The climate of Brazil is generally hot. Average temperatures, depending on the region, range from +15 to +29 degrees. Frosts occur only in certain areas. Rainfall ranges from 1200 mm in the center of the country to 2500-3000 mm in the Amazon.
The hydrographic network of the country is very dense. Most of the territory is occupied by the world's largest river system, the Amazon. Summer floods, rapids and waterfalls are common in Brazilian rivers. Many of them also have significant hydropower reserves.
The bowels of Brazil are very rich in various minerals. Iron, manganese and bauxite, graphite and precious stones (in particular, diamonds) are mined here.
Population of Brazil
202 million people live in the republic (this is the fifth place in the world in terms of population). Brazil is characterized by a small, but still positive annual natural increase. About 85% of the country's inhabitants live in cities.
The official and most spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese. In addition to it, others are also used by the population: English, Spanish, French, Italian. The literacy rate of the population is almost 90%.
Most Brazilians (65%) consider themselves Catholics, another 22% - Protestants. Spiritualism, Buddhism, Islam, various Afro-Brazilian cults are also widespread in the country.
Economic potential of the country
A complete characterization of Brazil is impossible without describing it. National economy. The country has a colossal GDP, it is the first economy in Latin America.
Both the mining and manufacturing sectors are well developed in Bishkek. The country produces almost the entire range of products - from simple consumer goods to computers and aircraft. Agriculture is also very developed.
Brazil's main exports are cars, coffee, soybeans, steel, footwear and textiles. AT recent times the country's government is making every effort to expand its presence in world markets.
The main problems of the country's development
To understand the main problems of the country will help Comparative characteristics Brazil and its main statistical indicators with other states. The republic is among the top ten world economies in terms of nominal GDP (7th place). In the ranking for Brazil is on the 79th line. In the ranking of countries by the level of corruption, the country occupies the 69th position, which also indicates the presence serious problems in this domain.
A comprehensive description of Brazil shows that this country is characterized by whole line chronic problems. Among them are high inflation rates, a large external debt of the state, unemployment, corruption and poverty.
Another serious problem in Brazil is the uneven development of different regions of the country. Almost all industry is concentrated in its southern and southeastern parts (the state of São Paulo alone produces up to 65% of the country's total GDP). But the north-eastern regions of Brazil - this is a continuous poverty, illiteracy and lack of infrastructure.
Finally
This article presents a comprehensive description of Brazil as a state. The country is the largest in Latin America, and is also among the top ten world economies (in terms of nominal GDP). The main sectors of the economy are electric power, engineering (including aviation) and agriculture.
The Brazilian economy and social sphere still has a number of serious problems, but the government is trying to solve them through reforms.
Main questions. What are the features of Brazil in terms of age and ethnic composition of the population? What is the level economic development countries?
Geographical position. Brazil is a giant country. It occupies almost half the area of the continent: territories takes fifth place in the world (8.5 million sq. km). In the only country discovered by the Portuguese, the famous paul brazil mahogany grew; hence the name of the country.
Nature Brazil is fabulous and unique. On a vast territory - the equatorial forest plains of the Amazon, the tropical landscapes of the Brazilian plateau. (Study maps for relief, minerals, climatic features, rivers, location natural areas.). The Amazon and its tributaries play a big role in the life of the country. The central part of the Brazilian Plateau is characterized by typical savannahs. Mined in the West sedimentary minerals: oil, brown coal. In the eastern part in the mountains lie ore minerals. The Brazilian Plateau is one of the unique regions of the world in terms of reserves and diversity of minerals. Due to the presence of deposits of high-quality iron, manganese, nickel ores, it is called the "iron heart" of the country. Precious and semi-precious stones - emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, garnets - the wealth of this region.
Population. Brazil is one of the top five countries in the world in terms of population. 188 million people. Nearly half of the population inhabits only about7% territory of the country, a narrow strip of the Atlantic coast. Average population density -20 man on1 sq. km, in the southeast - about80, in the north -3 person. ( Make an analysis of the "Population Density" map)
Brazil is characterized by high natural population growth. A complex process of urbanization is developing rapidly. The resettlement of peasants in the cities, the development of "false urbanization" has become one of the main problems of Brazil. Near 40% of peoplelive below the poverty line and20% live in poverty.
Brazil is a typical example of a complex ethnic composition mainland population. Over95% of the country's population are Brazilians, a racially diverse nation that includes whites(53,7%), black people(6,2%), mulattoes(38,5%), mestizo, sambo. The culture of modern Brazil is a fusion of Portuguese, Indian and African components. The bulk of people are employed in industry, the service sector, somewhat less in agriculture. (Fig. 2)
Industry defines the face of a country. Brazil is characterized by an industrial boom. The country ranks second in the world in terms of mining and first in iron ore exports, and third in bauxite mining. In the coastal zones of Rio de Janeiro, not far from the main industrial centers, oil and iron ore deposits have been discovered (Carajas), bauxite (Trombetas). Aluminum production required significant growth electricity generation, which led to the construction of cheap hydroelectric power plants. In the basin of the La Plata river, hydroelectric power stations were built: Itaipu- the largest in the world. Significant reserves of uranium ores contributed to the construction of the first Brazilian nuclear power plant"Angra-1" in the Rio de Janeiro area.
Brazil is one of the "key countries" of the developing world, one of its leaders. In terms of total GDP, it ranks first among all developing countries. Industry is the leading industry in Brazil, accounting for more than 35% of GDP. The largest area of industrial development in Brazil is "Greater Carajas". Its core is an open pit, where 100 thousand tons of iron ore are mined per day. The industrial structure of Brazil is dominated by heavy industries: ferrous metallurgy and mechanical engineering ( Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Sorocaba, Ouro Preto). Brazil is among the top five countries in the world in the production of ships, tractors, televisions, cotton fabrics. She has been successful in the development of the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding, as well as in the development of electronics and computer science. In the first of the Latin American countries, a artificial satellite Earth. In terms of computer production, Brazil is second only to the United States, Japan and Germany. (Study the map of large industrial centers, the main areas of agricultural development.)
Agriculture supplies 95% of the country's food needs. Brazil ranks first in the world in the production of coffee, orange juice, sugar, is among the top five countries in the collection of soybeans, cocoa, in terms of cattle and pigs. (Fig. 5) Almost a third of the population is employed in agriculture. Agriculture is a fairly developed and significant sector of the economy.
Brazil's main task is to develop the interior regions of the country.
leading view transport is automobile (80% of cargo turnover). Length railways- about 30 thousand km, automobile - about 2 million km. (Fig. 6) The Trans-Amazon highway crosses a territory 5.4 thousand km long. Large length of inland waterways, navigable at any time of the year. Foreign economic relations. An important source of income for the country is still the export of precious wood, natural and instant coffee, cocoa, rubber, and medicinal plants. Brazil's main trading partners are the United States, countries Western Europe, Latin America, Netherlands. The problem of its external debt is exceptionally acute for the country.
Cities. Sao Paulo- "economic capital" of the country, forming a large agglomeration with a population of more than 32 million inhabitants. The state of São Paulo provides about 2/3 of the country's total industrial production. Rio de Janeiro ("River of January") - one of the most beautiful cities peace. It is home to 13 million people. It is said that Sao Paulo is a city where people mainly make a living, and Rio de Janeiro is a place where they mainly enjoy life. . (fig 3) Brasilia by boldness of architectural forms and use latest solutions in construction - a city of the 20th century, which has become a symbol of national pride. The project of the capital was developed by the outstanding Brazilian architects L. Costa and O. Niemeyer. The buildings built here blend well with the terrain. The appearance of Brasilia is so original that UNESCO has included the city in the World Heritage List of mankind.
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of area and population. The age structure is dominated by the young population. The ethnic composition of the population is very complex. Brazil is the leader South America according to the level of economic development.
1. Describe the distinctive features of the state of Brazil. 2. How did the history of the settlement of the mainland affect the culture of Brazil. **four. Study the chart in the textbook "GDP per capita in Brazil". Compare the same figure in Australia. Make a conclusion.
WE GENERALIZE
1. Apply to contour map objects characterizing the geographical position of South America and Africa (from memory). 2. What cultivated plants are native to Africa and South America? 3. Compare the use of rivers in the lives of people in Africa, Australia, South America. 4. On which continent, in Africa or South America, culture was formed to a greater extent under the influence of the cultures of other peoples? Why? *5. What structural changes in the age composition of the population have a special impact on the development of the economies of countries? *6. Why does South America have the longest mountain range, while there are no large mountain ranges in Africa? **7. What is the role of mineral resources in the development of industry, and natural conditions - in the development of agriculture in Australia, Africa, South America? **eight. Compare the environmental problems of the continents of the Southern Hemisphere. What are the similarities and differences? Why? **9. Compare the role and place of the economies of Australia, Africa and South America in the world economy. **ten. Prove that the expression "Brazilian miracle" is justified. Can the same be said about the development of the economy in African countries? **eleven. Imagine that you have the opportunity to solve environmental problems in one of the countries of Australia, Africa, South America. Which country will you go to, what will you do? **12. Think about what areas of cooperation between Belarus and the countries of Africa, South America, Australia you can offer?
North America
Leading tasks 1. Pick up information about the culture of the peoples who inhabited the mainland before its discovery by Europeans. 2. Collect additional material about the largest states of North America: features of nature, population, economic activity. 3. Using additional literature, describe the most famous protected natural areas located on the mainland of North America (of your choice).
North America, unlike its neighbor - South America, does not have a large number of natural objects that claim to be the largest on our planet. Such objects include, perhaps, the largest cluster of freshwater lakes on Earth with the largest lake in terms of area - about. The top and largest karst cave on Earth - Mammoth. However, it was from this mainland that European colonization began. new world (a territory outside Eurasia and Africa), and it was here that the state with the most developed and powerful economy in the world, the United States, was formed.
Brazil is one of the largest states in the world (8.5 million km2) and the largest state among Latin American countries. Brazil is a key developing country, a presidential federal republic, consisting of 26 states and 1 federal district, where the country's capital, Brasilia, is located.
Brazil occupies almost half the area of South America, located in the eastern part of the mainland. The north of the country crosses the equator, and the south - the Southern Tropic, which predetermines the location of most of the country in the hot thermal zone.
In the north, Brazil is bordered by french guiana, Suriname, Guyana and Venezuela; in the west - with Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina; in the south - with Uruguay. Despite the large number of neighbors state border Brazil passes through difficult natural boundaries (including the Amazon jungle), especially since the western regions of Brazil are extremely poorly developed. In the east, the country has extensive access to the Atlantic Ocean, which contributes to the development of foreign trade relations between Brazil and various regions. the globe.
The natural conditions and resources of Brazil are characterized by great diversity and are generally favorable for the development of the country's economy. The entire north of the country is occupied by the vast Amazonian lowland, which is characterized by a humid and hot equatorial climate; the east - the Brazilian plateau, which is characterized by a subequatorial belt with seasonal precipitation; the south-east of the country is characterized by a hot and fairly humid tropical climate.
Brazil is poorly provided with fuel resources. Local deposits of coal, oil and natural gas do not meet the domestic needs of the country. Brazil is extremely rich in ore mineral resources. global importance have reserves of iron ore - the so-called iron triangle, formed by the deposits of Itabira, Serra dos Carajas and Morro do Urukun; manganese (Serra do Navio), aluminum (Trombetas), nickel (Nickeland) and tin ores (Porto Velho), as well as polymetals, uranium, gold, rare and trace metals. Non-metallic resources include reserves of apatites, phosphorites (Itumbiara) and diamonds.
Brazil has gigantic reserves of forest (Amazon selva), water (Amazon and its tributaries, Sao Francisco, Parana and its tributaries), hydropower, soil (campos), agro-climatic and recreational resources.
In terms of population (about 200 million people), Brazil ranks 5th in the world, second only to China, India, the United States and Indonesia. The population is distributed extremely unevenly. The vast majority of the population lives along the Atlantic coast, where 90% of the country's population is concentrated, and the interior regions (Amazonia) are extremely sparsely populated, and as a result, the average population density is low and amounts to only 20 people per 1 km2.
The reproduction of the population is characterized by a high birth rate (22%o) and natural growth (14%o), and the age structure is characterized by a large proportion of children and adolescents (32%).
The Brazilian nation was formed as a result of a mixture of indigenous people - Indians, European colonialists - the Portuguese and other immigrants from Europe, as well as African blacks brought as slaves. Despite the multiracial composition, the population of Brazil is homogeneous in national and religious composition. 96% of the population are Portuguese-speaking Brazilians. The dominant religion is Catholicism.
Brazil is characterized high level urbanization - the share of city dwellers is more than 80% of the country's population, however, it is for Brazilian cities that the problem of "false urbanization" is most typical. This leads to "bloat" of the most major cities and agglomerations: Sao Paulo (more than 10 million inhabitants), Rio de Janeiro (5.6 million people), Belo Horizonte, Recife and Salvador.
Brazil is an industrial-agrarian country. In terms of GDP, Brazil is one of the ten largest countries in the world. A feature of the Brazilian economy is its focus on satisfying the domestic market. At present, the Brazilian industry provides 80% of the country's needs for various equipment, 95% for means of transport and more than 50% for computer science.
The mining industry, despite the richness and diversity of the resource base, occupies a modest place in industrial production. The extraction of iron (1st place in the world), manganese ores, bauxite, ores of other metals, as well as diamonds is developed.
The manufacturing industry occupies a leading place in the structure of industrial production, with a pronounced concentration of it in the coastal zone in the southeast of the country.
Electricity production is more than 400 billion kWh (1st in the region and 9th in the world) and is based mainly on hydroelectric power plants, which generate more than 90% of all electricity in the country. Brazil is home to the world's largest hydroelectric power plant, Itaipu.
The country's metallurgy is developing rapidly: Brazil is in the top ten in steel production, and in the top five of the world's largest producers in aluminum production. The main metallurgical centers of Brazil are Volta Redonda, Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro (steel), Sorocaba and Ouro Preto (primary aluminium).
Mechanical engineering is the leading branch of the manufacturing industry, which accounts for about 1/3 of the country's industrial production. Particularly distinguished are transport engineering - the production of cars (more than 1 million units), ships, locomotives and wagons; electrical industry and machine tool building. The electronics, aviation and defense industries are developing rapidly. The main engineering centers of Brazil are São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The chemical industry is developing dynamically, especially the production of acids and mineral fertilizers, petrochemistry, the production of ethyl alcohol (used as motor fuel), the chemistry of organic synthesis and polymers. The most important centers of the country's chemical industry are Sao Paulo, Cubatan, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Salvador and Recife.
In Brazil, forest (Manaus), light, especially cotton and shoe (Sao Paulo), as well as food industry, among which the sugar, meat, oil-pressing and tobacco industries are important.
Agriculture in Brazil employs about 30% of the working population, but it provides only 8% of the country's GDP.
The structure of agriculture is dominated by crop production, which provides 60% of agricultural products. Crop production in Brazil is characterized by a pronounced export, plantation orientation. The main export crops of the country are coffee, bananas, oranges and sugarcane (1st place in the world), cocoa (2nd place), soybeans (3rd place in the world), cotton. The main crops are corn (3rd place in the world), wheat, rice and barley.
Animal husbandry is extensive and unproductive. Highest value in Brazil have beef cattle and pig
leadership. In terms of the number of cattle, Brazil is second only to India, and pigs to China and the United States.
Brazil is characterized by a weak transport network, and it has a pronounced colonial configuration, that is, roads go from mineral deposits or plantations to ports of export. In general, the regions of the country are poorly connected with each other. Despite the rather large indicators of the total length of motor roads (almost 2 million km), only 8% of them have a hard surface. Great importance for the interior regions of the country it has river transport, especially since ocean-going ships reach the port of Manaus, located in the middle of the Amazon. External relations are carried out mainly by air and sea transport. The most important seaports Brazil are Santos, Ithaca and Tubaran.
Brazil's main economic partners are the United States, Western European and Latin American countries.
Despite the increased share of finished products, including engineering products, raw materials, semi-finished products and agricultural products still occupy a significant place in Brazil's exports, and, as a result, Brazil has a negative foreign trade balance. Brazil's main export commodities are iron ore, bauxite, steel, automobiles, light aircraft, electrical engineering, timber, soybeans, flour mill products, coffee, cocoa, sugar, orange juice, while the main import commodities are oil, coal, machinery and equipment, and grain. and non-ferrous metals.
A serious economic and political problem of the country is a huge external debt - almost 200 billion dollars.
Brazil can be quite easily divided into two economic macro regions: the Atlantic coast and the Amazon.
The Atlantic coast, occupying only 1/3 of the territory, concentrates 90% of the population, 95% of the industrial and agricultural products of the country. All the major economic centers of Brazil are located here.
Amazonia is a typical area of new development, completely located in the zone of moist equatorial forests and represented only by the mining industry (iron, manganese, aluminum and tin ores) and logging. Agriculture is represented by the cultivation of hevea and small centers of agriculture and grazing. A huge problem in the region is deforestation - a catastrophic reduction as a result of cutting down the Amazonian selva.
Area: 8.5 million km2
Population: 201 million people
Capital:
Geographic location of Brazil
Brazil is a tropical country stretching for 4 thousand km from west to east and 4.3 thousand km from north to south. It occupies almost half of the mainland, borders on almost all countries of the mainland, with the exception of Chile and. The territory in the north and east is washed by waters. The length of the borders is 22.1 thousand km, of which 1/8 are maritime borders. About 30% of the territory is occupied by the Amazonian.
Brazil is a giant country. It occupies almost half the area of the continent and the fifth largest in the world in terms of territory. In the only territory discovered by the Portuguese, the famous paul brazil mahogany grew, hence the name of the country.
Brazilian nature
A huge area of Brazil is occupied by the equatorial forests of the Amazonian lowland, the savannas of the Brazilian plateau. (Study the location of the natural zones of Brazil on the thematic maps of the atlas.) The Amazon and its tributaries play a big role in the life of the country. The central part of the Brazilian Plateau is characterized by typical savannahs. In terms of reserves and diversity of minerals, Brazil is a unique country. The “iron heart” of the country is called due to the presence of deposits of high-quality iron, manganese ores. Precious and semi-precious stones - emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, garnets - the wealth of this country.
Population of Brazil
Brazil is in the top five in terms of population. Almost half of the inhabitants inhabit only about 7% of the country's territory, a narrow strip of the Atlantic coast. The average population density is 23 people/sq. km, in the southeast - about 80, in the north - 3.
Brazil is characterized by high natural population growth. The process of urbanization is developing rapidly. The resettlement of peasants in the cities, the development of "false urbanization" has become one of the main problems of Brazil. About 40% of people live below the poverty line, and 20% live in poverty. The bulk of the people are employed in industry, the service sector, somewhat less in agriculture.
Brazil is a typical example of the complex ethnic composition of the population of the mainland. Over 95% of the country's population are Brazilians, a racially and ethnically diverse nation, which includes descendants of Europeans (54%), descendants of Africans (6%), mulattos (38%), mestizos, sambo. National language- Portuguese. The culture of modern Brazil is a fusion of Amerindian and African elements.
characteristic feature modern culture people is to take into account the peculiarities of nature. Architectural forms, sun protection devices for houses, the possibility of through ventilation of premises and other elements of dwellings take into account climatic conditions region.
Cities of Brazil
Sao Paulo is the "economic capital" of the country, forming a large agglomeration with a population of more than 17 million inhabitants. The state of São Paulo provides about 2/3 of the country's total industrial production. (“January River”) is one of the most beautiful cities in the world on the ocean coast.
The city's agglomeration is home to 13 million people. The grandiose statue of Christ the Savior gives special grandeur to the city. It is said that São Paulo is a city where people mainly make a living, and Rio de Janeiro is a place where they mainly enjoy life. The capital of the country, Brasilia, in terms of the boldness of architectural forms and the use of the latest solutions in architecture and construction, is a city of the 20th century, a symbol of national pride.
The location of the capital was chosen as more advantageous from a strategic and military point of view. The project of the capital was developed by Brazilian architects. According to the project, the buildings of the city are well combined with the locality. The view of the city of Brasilia is so original that it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Brazilian industry
To date, the Brazilian economy is the most powerful in South America. It has a great impact on the global market. Brazil has a highly developed mining industry and agriculture. The country ranks second in the world in production and export, third in bauxite production. The largest deposits of iron ore Carajas and bauxite Trombetas were discovered. In the coastal zones of Rio de Janeiro, not far from the main industrial centers, there are oil fields. Aluminum production required a significant increase in electricity generation, which led to the construction of hydroelectric power plants. A hydroelectric power station was built, one of the largest in the world - Itaipu. Significant reserves contributed to the construction of the first Brazilian nuclear power plant, Angra-1, in the Rio de Janeiro region.
Brazil is one of the leading countries in the developing world. In terms of total GDP, it occupies one of the first places among all developing countries. Industry is the leading branch of the Brazilian economy, accounting for more than 38% of GDP. The main industries are the oil refining and chemical industries. The largest mining region in Brazil is Greater Carajas. It is planned to build more than 50 different industrial facilities on the basis of the exploitation of resources of iron, manganese, copper and other ores. The country ranks second in the world in the production and export of iron ore, second in bauxite mining.
The industrial structure of Brazil is dominated by heavy industries: ferrous metallurgy and engineering (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro). Brazil is among the top five countries in the world in the production of ships, tractors, televisions, cotton fabrics. She has achieved success in the development of the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing, as well as in the development of electronics and computer science. In the first of these, an artificial satellite of the Earth was created. In terms of computer production, Brazil is second only to the United States, and. (Study the large, main areas of agricultural development on the map of the atlas.)
The services sector received accelerated development. It employs more than 70% of the country's population.
Agriculture provides 95% of the country's food needs. Brazil ranks first in the world in the production of coffee, orange juice, and sugar. Coffee plantations are located in the southeastern part of the Brazilian Plateau, where the topography and soils are ideal for growing coffee trees.
Brazil is among the top five countries in the world for the collection of soybeans, cocoa, oranges, bananas. Meat cattle breeding is successfully developing on natural pastures in the south of the country. Brazil occupies one of the first places in the world in terms of the number of cattle. Agriculture employs 20% of the population. The main task of Brazil is the development of the interior regions of the country. Transport. The leading mode of transport is automobile (80% of cargo turnover). The length of railways and highways is great. The Trans-Amazon Highway, 5.4 thousand km long, crosses the territory of Brazil. Inland waterways are navigable at any time of the year.
Foreign economic relations of Brazil
An important source of income for Brazil is still the export of valuable wood species, natural and instant coffee, cocoa, rubber, and medicinal plants. It is the third largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. Brazil has traditionally been one of the leading trading partners in South America.
The main trading partners of Brazil are the USA, countries of Western Europe, Latin America, Japan. The proportion of young people is high in the age structure of the Brazilian population. Ethnic composition population is very complex. Brazil is the leader of South America in terms of economic development.
Brazil is the largest country in South America, located in its central and eastern parts. The length of the land borders is about 16 thousand km, in the east, for 7.4 thousand km, the country is washed by the Atlantic. Area - 8.5 million square meters. km. According to the US Census Bureau, the population in 1999 was 171,853 thousand people. Currently, Brazil is a federal republic, administratively divided into 23 states, 3 territories and federal district. The capital is Brasilia. Monetary unit - real. Official language- Portuguese.
Characterized by a large and well-developed agriculture, mining, manufacturing and service sector, Brazil's economy surpasses that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Since 2003, Brazil has steadily improved its macroeconomic stability by building foreign exchange reserves and reducing debt. In 2008, Brazil became a net external creditor and the Brazilian economy was given investment status by two rating agencies. After record growth in 2007 and 2008, the onset of the global financial crisis hit the country's economy in September 2008. Brazil experienced two quarters of decline as global demand for Brazilian goods declined and external lending declined.
However, Brazil was one of the first developing countries to start a recovery. Consumption and investor confidence recovered and GDP growth turned positive in 2010. The recovery of exports had a positive effect on economic growth.
Currently, strong growth in Brazil and high interest rates have made the country's economy attractive to foreign investors. Large capital inflows in 2010 contributed to the rapid appreciation of the local currency and forced the government to raise taxes on some foreign investment. President Dilma Rousseff pledged to remain committed to the previous administration's central bank inflation targeting, floating exchange rates and fiscal restraint policies.
History of the Brazilian economy
Until the mid-1990s, Brazil experienced very high inflation and foreign investors were afraid to invest in the national economy. But with the introduction of a strict monetary policy in the country, the country corrected its situation: the rise in prices for consumer goods in 1998 amounted to 2% against 1000% in 1994. But at the same time, GDP growth decreased from 5.7 percent in 1994 to 3% in 1997 due to a tighter credit policy.
In 1998 the country's economy is facing a serious test: the global financial crisis has led to an outflow of investment from the country. Approximately 30 billion dollars was spent in August and September 1998. The most serious consequence for Brazil, after the Russian refusal to pay its debts, was the decision to change the annual interest rate (it reached 50%). After adjusting the tax program and adopting new principles of structural transformation, the International Monetary Fund issued loans to the country in the amount of 41.5 billion dollars. In January 1999, the Central Bank of Brazil announced a one-time 8% devaluation of the real and a refusal to further artificially support the national currency. The government of the country hoped for the beginning of economic growth by the end of 1999. and declared its adherence to a strict anti-inflationary course. Even though in 1999 in the country there was a currency crisis, the country's economy, despite this, by the end of 1999. nevertheless increased. Since the end of 1999, since the end of 1999, about 20 billion dollars of investments have been invested in the country's economy after the issuance of an IMF loan.
Between 1995 and 1998 there was a decline in almost all industries in Brazil (from 7.6% to -2.3% in total), especially in engineering (from 21.4% to -4.1%), energy (from 19.0% to -10 .1%) and transportation (from 13.4% to -15.1%).
But by 2000, the world's leading economists were seeing the growth of the Brazilian economy. For example, overall production growth (but data for March 2001) was 11.2% from January 2000, while analysts had expected 6.8%. Combined with strong output, there has been a better-than-expected drop in unemployment and a surprisingly large trade deficit recorded in early 2001.
The hot period of economic activity has led to the fact that imports began to develop at a faster pace than exports, despite the fact that the devaluation helps to increase the competitiveness of Brazilian products. Between January and February, exports rose 13.8% to $8.62 billion, while imports rose 18.6% to $9.02 billion.
Many media said that with such a growth rate, the Brazilian economy would "overheat", but the country adapted to the fast-growing economy precisely through imports, and not through rising prices, as previously assumed. In 2000, the Central Bank lowered its benchmark interest rate from 45% to 15.25%, in the hope that the economy would continue to respond to the rate cut cycle over the past two years.
Brazil's GNP in 1998 was $767,578 million. Brazil's GDP in 1998 was $778,209 million. At the end of 1999, the decline in Brazil's GDP did not exceed 2%, despite the expected 3.8%.
Exports in 1998 amounted to 51 billion dollars and consisted of iron ore, coffee, soybeans, oranges, cars, aircraft, weapons. Exporting countries: EEC - 28%, Latin America (excluding Argentina) - 28%, USA - 20%, Argentina - 13%. Imports in 1998 amounted to 57.6 billion dollars and consisted of crude oil, machinery and equipment, and food products. Importing countries: EEC - 26%, USA - 22%, Argentina - 13%, Japan - 5%.
However, in subsequent years, Brazil was waiting for a new period of frankly weak economic development. The government of Luis Inacio Lula da Silva failed to contain the growth of domestic debt, which has long been more than half of GDP, despite a policy of lowering bank interest rates. Bank interest rates that attracted speculative short-term capital to Brazil remained the highest in the world at 14.25%. So far, economic growth has been held back by the devaluation of the local currency, the real, whose exchange rate was artificially maintained at a level of 30% below the real one against the US dollar, which naturally restrained production growth and made exports expensive.
The pace of development of the Brazilian economy in 2006-2007 remained below the global level - such a conclusion is contained in the report of the International Monetary Fund.
In December 2008, the President of Brazil signed a decree on the formation of a "sovereign wealth fund" in the amount of up to $ 6 billion, financed by a state budget surplus (up to 3.8% of GDP). The purpose of the fund is to provide investment for Brazilian companies in the face of the collapse of external sources of credit.
Relative change in GDP by years: +5.1% (2008); -0.2% (2009); +7.5% (2010). In 2010, the volume of GDP amounted to 2.023 trillion. dollars (2182 trillion dollars at PPP). GDP per capita reached $11,220 ($11,514 PPP). The inflation rate was 4.5% and the unemployment rate was 5.7%.
Brazilian industry
Brazil is one of the key countries in the developing world. In terms of GDP, it ranks first in Latin America, and in terms of industrial production, it is among the ten largest countries in the world. The share of industry in GDP is 26.4%, and agriculture - 6.1%. Industry employs 14% work force. Brazil has large reserves of minerals: iron (over 100 billion tons), manganese (100 million tons), uranium (256 thousand tons) ores, coal (21 billion tons), oil, etc.
Brazil industrial production growth rate, % to the previous year
Mining industry. Despite the rapid development and rich resource base of Brazil, the share of this industry in GDP is small. The extraction of apatite and iron ore is highly developed there, as well as the extraction of gold, silver, tin, diamonds and asbestos. The iron ore industry works to a large extent for export.
More than 40 types of minerals are mined in Brazil. The most significant are iron and manganese ores. More than 200 million tons of iron ore are mined per year, approximately 80% is exported. Brazil occupies one of the first places in the world in terms of bauxite mining. Zinc, copper and nickel are mined for the domestic market. Brazil is a supplier of strategic raw materials: tungsten, niobium, zirconium, mica, etc. Brazil provides only half of its oil needs and is forced to import it. The annual demand for oil is 75 million tons. In the 1970s, significant reserves of gold were found in the Amazon, and now its production is about 80 tons per year. Coal deposits have been found, but the coal is of low quality and its production is about 5 million tons per year. The most developed production of aluminum on its own bauxites, as well as nickel and copper.
Energy. Up to 90% of the country's electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants, alternative sources are also used (most of the cars run on alcohol), firewood, coal, and one nuclear power plant. Ferrous metallurgy. operates on its own ore and imported coke. The country is one of the ten world steel producers (smelting - 25 million tons). The largest factories are located in the states of Minas Gerai and Sao Paulo.
Brazil has a huge hydropower potential. Energy is 99% based on hydropower. Brazil has the second largest hydroelectric power station in the world - Itaipu. In 2005, 546 billion kWh were generated. Brazil exported 7 million kWh of electricity and imported 39 billion kWh, mostly from Paraguay. In 2007, 438.8 billion kWh were generated, 404.3 billion kWh were consumed, and 2.034 billion kWh were exported. Electricity import in 2008 - 42.06 billion kWh (mainly from Paraguay).
Manufacturing industry. The manufacturing industry occupies over a quarter of the GDP. The main industries are oil refining and the chemical industry. Developed - transport engineering (primarily automotive), machine tool building. The country ranks fourth in the world in the construction of sea vessels, and the success of the aircraft industry is noticeable. The radio hardware structure has been developed, and the production of electronic computers is developing at a rapid pace. The main centers of the industry are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil produces more than 1.5 million cars annually. The main car manufacturers in the country are Scania, Mercedes-Benz and Fiat. The main manufacturer of buses is Mercedes-Benz.
Agriculture in Brazil
Agriculture in Brazil employs 20% of the labor force. In terms of exports of agricultural products, Brazil is in third place in the world, its share in world exports of these products is 6.1%. The share of agricultural products in Brazil's exports reaches almost a third. In the structure of the industry, crop production is leading (60% of the value of all products), and in the course of the evolution of land use and land tenure systems, the institution of large land ownership - latifundia (80% of all cultivated land) has developed. In addition, small landownership - minifundia - is widespread. Although the proportion of the latter is small, it is they who produce the bulk of food (and not export, as on latifundia plantations) crops for domestic consumption: cereals, legumes, potatoes. Brazil is a traditional producer and exporter of a number of agricultural products: coffee, sugar cane, soybeans, corn, cocoa, bananas, cotton, as well as a significant number of cattle.
In the north of Brazil there are huge forest areas of the Amazon, occupying 60% of the entire territory of the country. But stocks of valuable tree species are used unconventionally and poorly. Of greatest importance is the collection of rubber, the harvesting of nuts and medicinal plants.
Coffee is one of Brazil's main exports. In 2008, 2790.8 million tons of coffee were harvested, thus Brazil is in first place in the world in this indicator. By its production, Brazil is on the 1st place in the world. Brazil ranks 1st in the world in the production of sugar cane, from which ethanol is made, used mainly as a fuel for cars. In 2008, 648 million tons were harvested. Cocoa beans (208 thousand tons), cotton (3.9 million tons) and soybeans (59.9 million tons) are also grown.
Brazil's main consumer crops are wheat, corn and rice. In 2008 it was harvested: corn - 59 million tons (two crops are being harvested), rice - 12 million tons, wheat - 5 million tons.
Livestock in Brazil is predominantly meat, it provides about 40% of the value of agricultural products. Pasture cattle breeding predominates, as well as beef cattle breeding in combination with vegetable growing. Animal husbandry is most common in the Central-West of the country. In 2002, there were 176 million cattle, 30 million pigs, 1,050 million poultry and 15 million sheep in the country.
Brazil transport
Transport in Brazil is developed extremely unevenly, railways are mainly located in the east of the country. Transport highways (at first, railways) began to form in the 19th century. And now, new and modernized railway lines mainly connect mining centers and agricultural production areas with ports. The length of railways is 29,252 km, including 487 km with a wide gauge, 194 km with a standard gauge, 23,785 km with a narrow gauge, and 396 km with the rest.
The length of motor roads is 1.98 million km. (of which with a hard surface - 184,140 km.). Car roads, although they are the longest in all of Latin America and carry most of the passengers, do not meet the needs of the country, moreover, they are unevenly distributed throughout the country. Maritime (98% of all foreign trade cargo) and air transport play an exceptional role in the development of foreign trade relations.
Airports: total - 4276, paved - 714, non-paved - 3562. Water transport total - 137 vessels with a displacement of 2,038,923 gt / 3,057,820 dwt, dry cargo ships - 21, oil tankers - 47, chemical tankers - 8, gas tankers - 12, passenger - 12, container - 8, bulk carriers - 21, ro-ro ships - eight.
The role of Brazil in the world economy
The Brazilian economy, with a highly developed agriculture, mining industry (it ranks first in the world in the extraction of iron ore, apatite, the second in the extraction of beryllium, the third in the extraction of bauxite, the fourth in the extraction of gold, asbestos, tin) and the service sector, is the most powerful in the region and has a significant impact on world markets. Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee and sugar cane, and one of the largest exporters of agricultural products.
Despite the inexpressive indicators of economic development, Brazil claims to be the world leader in developing countries. A new confirmation of the country's government's claims to leadership among the third world countries was the intention to form a bloc of countries at the upcoming IMF forum in order to block the IMF reform project, which would give greater rights to China, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico in the decision-making of the international financial body. The volume of exports in 2010 amounted to 199.7 billion US dollars, and imports - 187.7 billion US dollars. Exports are transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles. Export partners China 12.49%, USA 10.5%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5.39%, Germany 4.05% (for 2009). Imports - machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, automotive parts, electronics. Import partners USA 16.12%, China 12.61%, Argentina 8.77%, Germany 7.65%, Japan 4.3% (for 2009).