Progressive Management - Brazil in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Portuguese Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Military, Religion, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Guiana Highlands, Amazon

Brazil in Perspective - Orientation Guide andPortuguese Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy,Society, Security, Military, Religion, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro,Guiana Highlands, Amazon

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Progressive Management

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Progressive Management

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CONTENTS

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Technology Integration Division

May 2013

Defense Language Institute

Foreign Language Center

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CHAPTER 1 - GEOGRAPHY

Introduction

Geographic Regions and Features

Guiana Highlands

Amazon Basin

Pantanal

Brazilian Highlands

Coastal Lowlands

Climate

Bodies of Water

Major Cities

Brasilia

Sao Paulo

Rio de Janeiro

Salvador

Manaus

Environmental Concerns

Destruction of the Rainforest

Pollution

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Natural Hazards

Chapter 1 Assessment

CHAPTER 2 - HISTORY

Introduction

Pre-Colonial History

The Early Colonial Era

Colonial Expansion and Slavery

Independence

The Brazilian Empire and Republic

The Vargas Era (1930-1954)

The Republic After Vargas (1954-1964)

Military Rule (1964-1985)

Democracy and Reform

Recent Events

Chapter 2 Assessment

CHAPTER 3 - ECONOMY

Introduction

Agriculture

Sugarcane and Ethanol

Coffee

Cattle Ranching

Industry

Energy

Oil

Natural Gas

Electricity

Nuclear

Trade

Transportation

Tourism

Banking and Finance

Standard of Living

Employment

Public vs. Private Sector Outlook

Chapter 3 Assessment

CHAPTER 4 - SOCIETY

Introduction

Race and Ethnicity

Ethnic Background

Racial Categories and Relations

Language

Religion

Gender Issues

Cuisine

Arts

Capoeira

Sports

Chapter 4 Assessment

CHAPTER 5 - SECURITY

Introduction

U.S.-Brazil Relations

Relations with Neighboring Countries

Argentina

Paraguay

Uruguay

Bolivia

Peru

Colombia

Venezuela

The Guyanas

Ecuador and Chile

Military

Internal Security Forces

Issues Affecting Internal Stability

Violent Crime, Drugs, and Terrorism

Corruption and Human Rights Violations

Land Distribution and Reform

Water Security

Looking Forward

Chapter 5 Assessment

FINAL ASSESSMENT

FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES

Films

FOOTNOTES

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CHAPTER 1

GEOGRAPHY

Introduction

Brazil is the largest country in LatinAmerica and the fifth-largest nation in the world.1 Occupying thenortheast portion of the South American continent, its area of 8.5million sq km (3.3 million sq mi) surpasses that of the continentalUnited States and makes up about half of the South Americanlandmass.2 At its widest east-to-west point, Brazil stretches 4,320km (2,684 mi). From north to south, its 4,395 km (2,731 mi) of landcrosses both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.3, 4

Brazil is home to the world's densest rivernetwork. With eight hydrologic basins, Brazil has most of theworld's largest rainforest (the Amazon), wetland (the Pantanal),and the world's greatest biological diversity, including humanpopulations that have remained isolated since prehistorictimes.5

Brazil also is one of the world's largesteconomies and democracies.6 It is home to 200 million people, ofwhom 87% live in urban areas.7 Approximately 70% of the populationlives on the eastern seaboard, along 7,491km (4,654 mi) of Atlanticshoreline.8 The remaining 30% live in the more sparsely populatedinterior to the west, where Brazil shares borders with every SouthAmerican country except Chile and Ecuador: Argentina, (1,261 km,783 mi); Bolivia (3,423 km, 2,127 mi); Colombia (1,644 km, 1,021mi); French Guiana (730 km, 452 mi); Guyana (1,606 km, 998 mi);Paraguay (1,365 km, 848 mi); Peru (2,995 km, 1,861 mi); Suriname(593 km, 368 mi); Uruguay (1,068 km, 663 mi); and Venezuela (2,200km, 1,367 mi).9

In 1500, Portuguese explorers claimed theland that soon became known as Terra do Brazil, after thebrazilwood tree.10 The Atlantic coast attracted Portuguese andFrench traders who were met by indigenous tribes curious and eagerto trade.11 The recent discovery of offshore oil reserves may haveserious environmental costs along with economic benefits, as miningand logging activity in the interior once did.12, 13 The U.S. oilcompany Chevron accepted responsibility for a 2011 oil spill offthe coast of Rio de Janeiro.14, 15, 16 The Atlantic rainforest hasbeen severely deforested for agriculture, which has made manyspecies disappear from the area.17, 18, 19

Geographic Regions and Features

Guiana Highlands

The Guiana Highlands rise just north of theEquator, straddling Brazil and its northern neighbors (Venezuela,Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana). Forest-covered, mineral-richmountains are home to rugged waterfalls and rivers.20 Brazil'shighest peaks are here. Pico da Neblina rises 3,014 m (9,888 ft) atthe Venezuelan border in the Serra do Imeri range, and flat-toppedMonte Roraima ascends 2,772 m (9,094 ft) at the border of Brazil,Guyana, and Venezuela in the Serra da Pacaraima range.21 The SerraTumucumaque range, which separates Brazil from Suriname and FrenchGuiana, is a fabled location of the mythical El Dorado, city ofgold, which drew Europeans to the New World.22, 23

Many tributaries of the Amazon River flowsouth from the Guiana Highlands. The sparse regional populationincludes indigenous peoples such as the Yanomami, whose traditionalhomeland extends into southern Venezuela. The highlands are a siteof conflict between indigenous peoples, miners, and loggers whowant to exploit mineral and timber resources.24, 25, 26