In order to fully appreciate a country such as Brazil, one must be fully knowledgeable of the many aspects of such a marvelous county. As a country, Brazil is slightly smaller than the continental United States, however, seems to capture a broad selection of cultures, which have developed from the original Portuguese empires domination and colonization to a developing economical super power. Within this cultural vignette I will cover the many aspects of Brazil, such as geography, political structure, demographics, history, economy, culture, and natural wonders found within its borders. By the end of this vignette, I am confidant that you will be on your one-way ticket to this marvelous paradise.
Brazil is located in Eastern South America bordering the Atlantic Ocean and borders every country in South America except Chile and Ecuador, yet is the only one that doesn’t speak Spanish primarily. Due to the distance from the equator, the majority of the country enjoys a tropical climate, except the south, which is temperate. In relation to the US, Brazil is slightly smaller in size (8,511,965 sq km). The terrain is mostly flat across the majority of it with rolling lowlands in the north. There are some plains, hills, and mountains within the country with waterfalls being a common view within the country. The countries natural resources include iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, phosphates, tin, hydropower, gold, platinum, petroleum, and timber. Such resources make Brazil extremely rich in global trade and an ever-present power in the trade talks being held with developed nations. The improper mining of these resources has unfortunately lead to land degradation and water pollution, however, the government is beginning to regulate all environmental concerns more actively now than in the past. The country as a whole has the largest coastal region with the Atlantic Ocean and has hundreds of rivers stretching the landscape of the country. The Amazon rainforest and hundreds of rivers dominate the northwest region of Brazil while the northeast is rolling sand dunes and flatlands. Southern Brazil is covered with Atlantic rainforests with the southwestern portions, “Pantanal” being more like Floridas marshlands, however, without the threat of major human threats. In essence, Brazil lacks no geographic type as its various regions contain everything from deserts to jungles to grasslands.
Brazils interesting history has guided its political structure to be what it currently is. Brazil was set up by the Portuguese as a colony, however, when Napolean Bonaparte attacked and took over Portugal, the ruling family fled to Brazil and continued to rule in exile. Upon their return to Portugal several years later, the king left behind his son to govern the colony in his stead. In time, the country lost its monarchial system and was set up as a democratic republic. After the monarchy was abolished, Brazil’s first Constitution under the Republic established a presidential system and three independent powers: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary. This structure was retained in Brazil’s six subsequent republican constitutions, including the present Constitution, drafted by a specially empowered National Congress elected in 1984, and formally promulgated on October 5, 1988. The 1988 Constitution incorporates a great many new concepts ranging from environmental protection to increased powers for the legislature in its relationship with the Executive. Currently, Brazil is a federative republic composed of 26 States and one Federal District where Brasilia, the capital of the country, is situated. Each state has its own government, with a structure that mirrors the federal level, enjoying all the powers, which are not specifically reserved for the federal government or assigned to the Municipal Councils. The head of the state executive is the Governor, elected by direct popular vote under the Federal Constitution. The one-chamber state legislature is a State Assembly. The state judiciary follows the federal pattern and has its jurisdiction defined so as to avoid any conflict with the federal courts. As can be seen, Brazil is a country that has a strict and defined governmental system, however, as in many developing countries, problems seem to frequently occur and cause a rupture in the system.
The demographics of Brazil are an enormous shock to individuals who visit this largely populated country. The country currently has a 55% white population made up of descendants from Portugal, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Germany, while the rest of the population is 38% of mixed black/white. The last 7% of the population contains people of Japanese’s, Chinese, and black/Arab decent. Interesting enough, the largest city in Brazil, Sao Paolo, contains over 1.5 million people of Japanese descendant, therefore making it the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Southern Brazil contains the majority of the white population as it was near Argentina and intended to be part of “New Europe” in the South American continent. Northern Brazil is consistently a mix of black and mixed people as Brazil was one of the largest importers of African slaves during the slave trade. The sugar industry was hugely dominated by Brazil in the past and it was the African slaves who dominated the harvesting process. Within the two extremes is found the central region of Brazil and the home ground for a mix of white, mix, Asian, and a small percentage of Africans. Although America claims to be the essence of mixing pot for cultures within its boundaries, Brazilians seem to claim that in America nobody actually assimilates, but rather keeps their own culture. Within this claim is the truth that Brazilians are essentially mixed in into a simple culture, which will be covered later I this vignette.
The economy of Brazil is one of massive proportions and is dominated by the natural resources found in the country. As one of the world’s top five producers of aluminum, steel, iron ore, oranges, sugar, soya, beef, and many other products, Brazil has an enormous power in world trade talks. Before the huge devaluation of its currency in 1999, Brazil had the fifth largest economy in the world, however, is currently ranked around 12th. As a speculative market, Brazil has seen dozens of ruptures in its economic system and is in a process of ridding itself of the inherent risks in being so speculative. As a member of Mercosur and the WTO, Brazil is beginning its ascension into the ranks of a world economic power. Currently, American and Brazilian trade ambassadors are smoothing over a plan to create a free trade region for the Americas, excluding Cuba. The southern region of Brazil contains a little under than 80% of the GDP with the northern regions being subsistence farmers and small economic centers. In time, Brazil will be seen to grow more rapidly as it streamlines its bureaucratic inefficiencies and corrupt practices.
Within the borders you may find several natural wonders, which are beyond imagination and inspire awe in all those who look upon them. In the south you can find “Devils Throat,” which is the largest waterfall in the world in actual water flow, however, slightly smaller in height than Niagara Falls in North America. To the northwest you can find the Amazons, which hold more biodiversity than any other region on earth. Its rivers have thousands of species including river dolphins, sharks, and small whale like creatures. The jungle massive and covers nearly the entire northwestern region of the country. Rio de Janeiro, other wise known as “Gods City,” is blessed with one of the most magnificent views ever known to man with mountain, river, bay, and ocean mixing together with a city of a population around ten million. No other city in the world can compare with this marvelous mixture of human and natural creation. Simply an overview of the richness of Brazil, you can now see what a beautiful and inspiring this country can be.
In essence, you cannot have a vignette of Brazil without breaking down the culture of the people and defining how they live. Brazilians are a peaceful, happy, loving, and simple people. Having had but one war since its creation, Brazil has instilled in its people a docile nature in regards to political struggles and war. The culture of its people revolves around dancing pacote, fohall, samba, and tecno, while eating well and drinking the night away. The people live a simple yet happy life in its various regions; however, the country is also fettered with poverty. Slums cover many regions in the large cities and gangs are rampant within those areas. The government is consistently working to better the situation of the poor in those regions; however, the poverty has mixed into the culture and created its own cultural presence. The idea foreigners have on Carnival is a mulatta women dancing half naked, however, what they do not know is that the Carnival is composed largely of organizations and people from the slums who compete by way of dance and song. It is the poor peoples way to become a positive part of society and has in turn blossomed into one of brazils main tourism features. In essence, Brazilians are a happy and uninhibited people who want to enjoy their lives more than to simply become wealthy.
Being self evident, Brazil is truly a magnificent country that has such distinct attributes that cannot be found in any other country in the world. The combinations of its various characteristics place the groundwork for a country with a bright future.