Brazil Quest For Economic Growth

Brazil a Country of Extremes Rich in natural resources Largest gap between rich and poor Most important environmental issue 5 th largest economy Largest Rainforest Largest river

Areas of Brazil Northeast –On the coast –Sertao – interior plateau suffers from draughts Southeast –17% of the land but 40% of the population –Good agricultural area

Areas of Brazil Brazilian Highlands –Central plateau –Capital is located here (Brasilia) Amazon River Basin –Largest area with only 10% of population 280,000 Indians from 180 tribes Thousands of species of plants and animals

Brazil’s Poor Favelas – urban slums –Were most of the poor in Brazil live –Urbanization is causing the Favelas to grow –PicturesPictures Farmers –Most are subsistence farmers –Sertao – area of poor soil, uncertain rainfall, little grazing land, and no modernization

Policies For Growth What is the Government doing? Building industry –Build steel mills and oil refineries –Build hydroelectric dams –Bank loans for new businesses Develop interior –Develop Amazon Basin Gave away land and mining permits –Move the capital to the interior (Brasilia)

Development successes Manufacturing is 1/3 of the GNP ¼ of pop. work in the service industries 1/3 of pop. works in industry Increasing middle class

Negative Effects Increased poverty Urbanization has caused growth of Favelas Environmental impact –Destruction of rainforest –Loss of agricultural land