10.4 Brazil

favelas

slums in Rio

Dom Pedro

son of Portugal's king who agreed to give Brazil its independence from Portugal in 1822

Gap between rich and poor

Like many Latin American nations, Brazil has a large gap between the rich and the poor. This is evident in cities like Rio, with many beautiful sites, but also many favelas (slums)

Patterns of settlement

Most people and cities in Brazil are located near the coast, because of the mountains and rainforest in the interior

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's cultural capital; center of culture in Brazil and Brazil's most famous and beautiful sites, also has many favelas

Brazil's economic power

Brazil is a growing economic power. Much of this power is based on its vast area, its abundance of natural resources, and its many people. Power plants located along Brazil's many rivers produce electricity. In addition, Brazil's large reserves of oil and natural gas contribute to its industrial might. Brazil is one of the most industrialized of South American countries, with one of the largest steel plants in the region. It is a leading maker of automobiles.

People of Brazil

The culture of Brazil includes Portuguese influences, Native American elements, and African influences. When the first Europeans arrived in 1500, millions of native people lived in what is now Brazil. Today, more than 500,000 native people live in Brazil, most in the Amazon rain forest. Brazil has become home to many immigrants from other nations. Portuguese is the main language spoken Today, Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world.

Brazil

The largest country in South America was originally a Portuguese colony

Brasilia

The planned capital of Brazil- known for its unique architecture. The political center of Brazil Was planned in the interior to draw more people into the interior of the country

Portuguese colonization of Brazil

The territory of Brazil was originally home to native peoples divided into hundreds of tribes and language groups. The first Portuguese colonists hoped to find gold or silver but were disappointed when they could find neither. (1500s) Then they cleared out huge areas of forest where they created sugar plantations. Brazil soon became a source of wealth for Portugal because the demand for sugar was so great.

Migration to the interior of Brazil

There has also been a move into the interior. About 80 percent of the people live within 200 miles of the sea. But the government is encouraging settlement of the interior to develop its many resources."

Treaty of Tordesillas

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), Portugal gained control over the land that became present-day Brazil. Treaty that divided South America between Spain and Portugal