1. Brazil

2. Basic Timeline Second Republic and Democratic Interlude (1946-1964) Military Government and State-led Industrialization (1964-1985) New Republic - (1985-present)  1985-1990 Civilian government, new constitution in 1988.  First Presidential elections since 1960: 1989.

3. Basic Economics (2008) GDP (official exchange rate): $1.573 trillion. GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.977 trillion. Annual real growth (2008): 5.1%. Per capita GDP (official exchange rate): $8,300. Per capita GDP (purchasing power parity): $9,700.

4. Natural resources: Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gemstones, oil, wood, and aluminum. Brazil has 14% of the world's renewable fresh water. Agriculture (5.8% of GDP): Products--coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, cocoa, rice, livestock, corn, oranges, cotton, wheat, and tobacco. Industry (28.7% of GDP): Types--steel, commercial aircraft, chemicals, petrochemicals, footwear, machinery, motors, vehicles, auto parts, consumer durables, cement, and lumber.

5. Services (65.8% of GDP): Types--mail, telecommunications, banking, energy, commerce, and computing. Trade: Trade balance (2008)--$24.8 billion surplus. Exports--$197.9 billion. Major markets--United States 14.0%, Argentina 8.9%, and China 8.3%. Imports--$173.1 billion. Major suppliers--United States 14.9%, China 11.6%, and Argentina 7.7%. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640.ht m

6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5379016.st m

7. Income Distribution http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=4&ved=0CBMQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fearthtrends.wri.org%2Ftext%2Fecono mics-business%2Fvariable-353.html&ei=kyjfSr- OGYHf8AaJ5bRj&usg=AFQjCNFpcuPsMvYbsQVyoS8d6qXCkV84Vg&sig2=ucYBgi4SKC54yTeEsBvGtw

8. Income Distribution

9. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=10&ved=0CCYQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.url.edu.gt%2FPortalURL%2FArchivos%2F56%2FArchivos%2FXV.%2520LA%2520PRESPECTIVA%2520SUDA MERICANA.pdf&ei=kyjfSr-OGYHf8AaJ5bRj&usg=AFQjCNGW6KNDGyRlHf_ADaAr2HZ3STbdAA&sig2=59W_SoMgdJrBWeqfS_VpoA

11. Social Indicators http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5379016.st m

12. Lula Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Former metalworker Came to lead the national Metalworkers' Union in 1975 Helped form the PT (Workers' Party) in 1980 Served jail time due to opposition to military regime. Ran for presidency 3 times before winningpresidency Currently serving his second term in office.

14. Mercosur Full members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay Full member pending ratification: Venezuela Associate members: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru Headquarters (secretariat): Montevideo, Uruguay Combined GDP: US$ 1.1 trillion