9.2/9.3 Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay

Brazil History Colonial Brazil – The first people in Brazil were American Indians. 1500s  Portuguese explorers became the first Europeans to find Brazil. Brazil became a large sugar-growing colony of Portugal. Colonists brought Africans to work as slaves on the plantations.

Portuguese settlers also created cattle ranches inland in Brazil. In the late 1600s and early 1700s gold and other gems were discovered in the southeast and mining drew people from all over the world to Brazil. Late 1800s  Brazil became a major coffee-producing region.

Brazil Since Independence Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822. Brazil was the last country in the Americas to end slavery. Brazil’s government has been ruled by dictators & sometimes elected officials since gaining independence. Today Brazil has an elected president and legislature & Brazilians can vote.

People and Culture There are more than 188 million people living in Brazil today – more than all of the other South American countries combined.

Soccer in Brazil To Brazilians, soccer is more than a game. It is part of being Brazilian. Professional stars are national heroes. The national team often plays in Rio de Janeiro, home of the world’s largest soccer stadium. Some fans beat drums all through the games. But it is not just professional soccer that is popular. People all over Brazil play soccer—in cleared fields, on the beach, or in the street. Here, boys in Rio practice their skills.

People More than half of Brazilians consider themselves of European descent. 40% of Brazil’s people are of mixed African and European descent. Brazil also has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Because Portugal colonized Brazil, Portuguese is the official language of the country.

Religion & Festivals 75% of Brazilians are Roman Catholic. Carnival is an important holiday in Brazil.

Brazil Today – by Region Southeast Brazil Most people live in the city of Sao Paulo – the largest urban area in South America. Sao Paulo is considered to be a megacity (a giant urban area that includes surrounding cities and suburbs) Rio de Janeiro – Brazil’s second largest city is also located in this region.

Northeast Brazil Beautiful beaches, old colonial cities and elaborate Catholic churches are major tourist attractions in this region. Otherwise this region is relatively poor.

Interior Brazil Brasilia – Brazil’s capital – is located here. Few people live outside of the capital city.

Amazon Brazil Manaus – a major port and industrial city along the Amazon is the most populated area in this region. Isolated villages are scattered throughout the rainforest.

Argentina History The first Europeans to come to Argentina were the Spanish. The Pampas became a major agricultural region during this time. Argentine cowboys called gauchos herded cattle and horses on the open grasslands. Argentina fought for independence from Spain in the early 1800s.

Modern Argentina Europeans from Italy, Germany & Britain came to Argentina after independence. They helped build railroads across the country making transport of agricultural products easier.

Most of the people live in the capital city Buenos Aires. Argentina Today Most of the people live in the capital city Buenos Aires. Most of Argentina’s labor force works in agriculture. Buenos Aires is a huge, modern city. Its main street is said to be the widest avenue in the world.

Uruguay Paraguay Capital Montevideo Asuncion People 90% live in urban areas and are of European descent 95% are mestizos Land Between Argentina and Brazil landlocked: completely surrounded by land with no direct access to the ocean