Country Summary: Brazil
Country Name: Brazil
Capital: Brasilia
Official Visa & Travel Information: Brazil Immigration Services (Visa Services)
Government Type: federal presidential republic
Background: Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getúlio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed over various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned (including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954) and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President João GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988.
By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, under President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (2003-2010) Brazil was seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth. The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) was removed from office in 2016 by Congress for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former-President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in early 2021. LULA's revival became complete in October 2022 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Jair BOLSONARO (2019-2022) in the presidential election. Positioning Brazil as an independent global leader on climate change and promoting sustainable development, President LULA took on the 2024 G20 presidency, balancing the fight against deforestation with sustainable energy and other projects designed to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth, such as expanding fossil fuel exploration.
Continent: South America
Population: 218,689,757 (2023 est.)
Ethnic Groups: mixed 45.3%, White 43.5%, Black 10.2%, Indigenous 0.6%, Asian 0.4% (2022 est.)
Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Evangelical 31%, Spiritist 3%, Umbanda, Candomble, or other Afro-Brazilian religions 2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist 1%, other 2%, none 10% (2020 est.)
Economic Overview: industrial-led economic growth model; recovering from 2014-2016 recession when COVID-19 hit; industry limited by Amazon rainforest but increasing deforestation; new macroeconomic structural reforms; high income inequality; left UNASUR to join PROSUR
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $324.673 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $3.25 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Real GDP Growth Rate: 2.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per Capita: $15,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Exports:
$380.619 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 25
Export Commodities: iron, soybeans, crude petroleum, sugar, poultry meats (2021)
Export Partners: China 28%, United States 13% (2019)
Imports:
$376.084 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 21
Import Commodities: refined petroleum, vehicle parts, crude petroleum, integrated circuits, pesticides (2019)
Import Partners: China 21%, United States 18%, Germany 6%, Argentina 6% (2019)
Natural Resources: alumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Agricultural Products: sugar cane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, poultry, rice, beef, cotton
Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
Industrial Production Growth Rate:
1.62% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Comparison Ranking: 136
Labor Force: 108.751 million (2022 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 9.23% (2022 est.)
Natural Hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
Geography:
Total: 8,515,770 sq km
Land: 8,358,140 sq km
Water: 157,630 sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
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