Brazil A Country Study Guide

Brazil is South America’s most influential country, an economic giant and one of the world’s biggest democracies. It is one of the rising economic powers - otherwise known as BRIC nations - together with Russia, India, China and South Africa. Over the past few years it has made major strides in its efforts to raise millions out of poverty. The discovery of major offshore oil reserves could propel the country into the top league of oil-exporting nations. The country of Brazil occupies roughly half of South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil covers a total area of 8,514,215 kilometre (3,287,357 square miles) which includes 8,456,510 kilometre (3,265,080 square miles) of land and 55,455 kilometre (21,411 square miles) of water. The highest point in Brazil is Pico da Neblina at 2,994 metre (9,823 feet). Brazil is bordered by the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, and France (overseas department of France, French Guiana). Much of the climate is tropical, with the south being relatively temperate. The largest river in Brazil, the second longest in the world, is the Amazon. The rainforest that covers the Amazon Basin constitutes almost half of the rainforests on Earth.