Introduction
Britain and Brazil are two very different countries, though similar in many ways – the size, location and population affects a lot of the statistics and indicators that would show an MEDC or LEDC country. Over the following paragraphs I will expand upon this, evaluating each country in each of it’s indicators and drawing to a conclusion at the end of each country.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom used to be the dominant maritime, industrial and commercial power in Europe – often competing with the USA for trading powers and maritime supremacy. As well as owning nearly half the globe through colonies the United Kingdom was very advanced in technology and science, benefiting it’s industry in full scale production of new technology. Though after suffering 2 world wars, taking strength from the country, it started to spiral down from the empire it once had; slipping behind and putting other countries such as Germany, France and of course the USA ahead of it.
Population and Growth
The United Kingdom is only around 244,820sq km but has a population of 60 million occupants – this pushes up prices throughout the area due to land shortage and also affects the country in other good and bad ways. Due to a fairly good national health system and a good standard of living; the infant mortality rate is only around 5/1000 babies born and the average age to live to is around 78. Gender is constantly balanced throughout and the median age is 48, showing that a good standard of living, healthcare and employment is present – factors indicating an MEDC country. Another factor that can be seen is that the number of people living with AIDS in the United Kingdom is 34,000 though on average only 460 die, from this it can be seen that there is substantial healthcare services.
Industrial Commerce
The United Kingdom has a very sound economy compared to other countries in the surrounding area. It has a relatively low unemployment rate and the pound Is extremely strong against other currencies, especially against the US Dollar proving to be almost twice the value. In total it has a maximum spending rate of 1.528 trillion pounds a year and it’s exports give a total of 300 billion pounds – this excluding such industries as oil that creates a profit of 2.25 million pounds per day. The main labor force of the UK are standard services at 74% – then industry at 25% and finally agriculture at 1% due the small amount of lands to farm on. From this it can be inferred that the UK has one of the strongest economic positions in Europe – this leading to another factor of an MEDC country.
Infrastructure
The United Kingdom has a relatively old and crumbling infrastructure, constantly being patched up but is relatively effective compared to countries. There are 16,000km of railways, 371,000km of highways and 3,200km of waterways – this obviously indicates that there is a substantial infrastructure. There are also 22 ship orts, 470 airports and 11 heliports indicating that the UK is a large hub of travel for countries all over the world, this also is a substantial economy booster. Combining all of this can easily show that there is a strong infrastructure in place – another sign of an MEDC oriented country.
Conclusion
The United Kingdom is an MEDC country if you were to compare it to countries such as ethiopa that is obviously an LEDC country. But if you look closely at the UK, some areas seem to be crumbling and mirroring aspects of an LEDC country; health system having major problems, highways overloaded with cars, train system corrupt, poor stock market. What can be inferred it that the UK is an MEDC country but is slipping behind and could in many years fall into an upper LEDC category.
Comparing the United Kingdom and Brazil
Brazil
Introduction
Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America’s leading economic power and a regional leader.
Population and Growth
Brazil is about 8 million square km and has a population of 182 million people – due to the country’s size and population it creates a fairly nice environment though because of much of the area covered by uninhabited land, some areas are still crowded and living conditions poor and primitive. The birth rate is 17.67/1000 – substantially higher than in the UK and the number of infant mortalities are 31.74/1000 – once again higher than in the UK, most likely due to a less efficient medical system and poorer living conditions. The median age is also much lower at only 26 years for both genders resulting in a mortality rate of 6.3/1000. Another factor is that people living with AIDS there is 610,000 – understandable due to the larger country but the amount of deaths in comparison with the number of people with AIDS at 8,400 is higher than when calculated for the UK. These factors come together into showing the country is an LEDC area but is slightly verging on the upper peak of the LEDC because there isn’t an overwhelming mortality rate.
Industrial Commerce
Brazil has a well instated economic structure – secured by a strong agriculture and industrial capacities. The country has a max buying power of 1.376 trillion pounds and is able to make 50 billion pounds in exports though this excludes other separate recourses such as natural gas that makes up 224 billion pounds. The Brazilian currency (BRL) is fairly weak at only a ¼ of the strength of the pound. Another substantial fact is that unlike the UK using coal and nuclear power as a main energy source – brazil spends less money on power due to hydroelectric damns accounting for 80% of the country’s energy production. Brazil’s labor for is strong at 79 million and is mainly in services at 56% – industry at 36% – agriculture at 8%, the last figure reelecting the larger industry for agriculture in brazil compared to the UK because of the amount of land. From this it can be concluded that Brazil has a fairly strong economy, not too strong outside its borders but interiorly it is strong and stable – making it able to be inferred that Brazil has an MEDC factor.
Infrastructure
Brazil has a strong infrastructure due to its rapid expansion and recourses, particularly through and from the rainforest. There are over 1,724,929km of highways, 50,000km of waterways and 31,000km of railways. There are also over 15 ship ports and 3,590 airports – these facts give an easy definition that Brazil has a very strong infrastructure that is also part of a very important trading industry due to its large amount of ship ports and airports. From this information it can be seen that Brazil’s infrastructure is very strong and is also a factor of an MEDC country.
Conclusion
Brazil can be defined as a mixed country; 2 out of 3 factors I have picked out here show that it is an MEDC country but the first factor, that could be considered as the most important shows it to be an LEDC country – after all human life is of great importance and because of the poor life expectancy compared to the UK and many other countries, in my opinion I would rate Brazil as an high end LEDC country and advancing onto MEDC status.