Sub-Continental Region- Brazil
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Climatic region of Brazil| sample answer
Q. ‘A region can be defined by its climate’. Discuss this statement with reference to one sub continental/continental country you have studied. (has not been asked yet)
Brazil has an equatorial climate in the majority of the region. because it is quite vast we can also see regions of Savanna climate in Southern/ Western Bahia.
The physical characteristics and climate are extremely important in Brazil’s primary, secondary and tertiary economic activities
Brazil is made of high lands and low land and is also home to Amazon basin, the amazon basin contains the tropical rainforest with an equatorial climate and is found between latitude 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. It is home to the greatest variety of living things (biodiversity) on the planet.
The tropical rainforest is an important part of the global climate system, It produces water vapour and absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Tropical rainforests produces 30% of the world’s fresh water through transpiration.
The climate of the biome is tropical/equatorial and heavily influenced by its location. Because it is located in the tropics , sunlight strikes the earth at roughly a 90 degree angle and therefore the region receives almost 12 hours of sunlight every day.
The average temperature is about 27oC . There is small temperature range. Day length hardly changes between summer and winter and intense heating occurs as a result.
Due to the intense heating large amounts of moisture evaporates from the ground and vegetation. Water vapour rises, cools and condenses to form heavy convectional rainfall. Annual rainfall is 1250mm to 6600 mm
Because of the amount of water and heat, humidity levels reach between 77% and 88%. This encourages growth. Though rainforests only cover about 6% of the earth’s surface they contain over 50% of all plant and animal species.
Latosols are red/yellow coloured zonal soils associated with equatorial climate. Rapid, deep chemical weathering and leaching play an important role in the formation of it. The latosol is very poor in nutrients.
Thousands of years of heavy rainfall have washed the nutrients away in the process of leaching. Nutrients, instead, are found in living plants and in the layer of decomposing plant matter on the ground (O-Horizon) 99% of the nutrients are held in root mats on the forest floor.
Leaching is so intense that only alluvium and iron compounds are left which give the soil its characteristic red and yellow colour. There soils lack silica and have low humus content due to rapid breakdown of organic material.
Various species of decomposers such as insects, bacteria and fungi quickly turn all dead plant matter into humus (humification). Plants quickly take up nutrients from the 0-Horizon the moment they are released. This is so heavy rain does not wash away nutrients before they absorb them.
Therefore, rainforests have a very short nutrient cycle, it takes a few days for dead organic matter to be converted into humus and absorbed by plants. All life in rainforest is based on decay.
When a rainforest is cut down, the nutrients are removed from the ecosystem and the remaining soul can only be used for a short time before becoming infertile.
Poor soil management such as deforestation, intense heating and heavy rainfall can lead to laterite soils developing.
Laterite is a hard brick-like soil impossible to cultivate, even when wet. It occurs when the iron and aluminium forms a hard pan and when topsoil is removed by erosion the hardpan is exposed and baked.
The rapid rate of deforestation and land clearance drastically impacts climate. The conventional rains depend on the trees to hold the water, without trees the local water cycle is disrupted and potential desertification could result.
Also population pressure has meant that the traditional slash and burn system of land clearance is not sustainable as the land has no time to recover. The land is also being cleared for coffee plantations.
In areas of the savanna climate, Soya has been genetically modified to grow in the hot arid conditions. These monoculture plantations threaten to invade and reduce natural habitats.
Q. ‘A region can be defined by its climate’. Discuss this statement with reference to one sub continental/continental country you have studied. (has not been asked yet)
Brazil has an equatorial climate in the majority of the region. because it is quite vast we can also see regions of Savanna climate in Southern/ Western Bahia.
The physical characteristics and climate are extremely important in Brazil’s primary, secondary and tertiary economic activities
Brazil is made of high lands and low land and is also home to Amazon basin, the amazon basin contains the tropical rainforest with an equatorial climate and is found between latitude 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. It is home to the greatest variety of living things (biodiversity) on the planet.
The tropical rainforest is an important part of the global climate system, It produces water vapour and absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Tropical rainforests produces 30% of the world’s fresh water through transpiration.
The climate of the biome is tropical/equatorial and heavily influenced by its location. Because it is located in the tropics , sunlight strikes the earth at roughly a 90 degree angle and therefore the region receives almost 12 hours of sunlight every day.
The average temperature is about 27oC . There is small temperature range. Day length hardly changes between summer and winter and intense heating occurs as a result.
Due to the intense heating large amounts of moisture evaporates from the ground and vegetation. Water vapour rises, cools and condenses to form heavy convectional rainfall. Annual rainfall is 1250mm to 6600 mm
Because of the amount of water and heat, humidity levels reach between 77% and 88%. This encourages growth. Though rainforests only cover about 6% of the earth’s surface they contain over 50% of all plant and animal species.
Latosols are red/yellow coloured zonal soils associated with equatorial climate. Rapid, deep chemical weathering and leaching play an important role in the formation of it. The latosol is very poor in nutrients.
Thousands of years of heavy rainfall have washed the nutrients away in the process of leaching. Nutrients, instead, are found in living plants and in the layer of decomposing plant matter on the ground (O-Horizon) 99% of the nutrients are held in root mats on the forest floor.
Leaching is so intense that only alluvium and iron compounds are left which give the soil its characteristic red and yellow colour. There soils lack silica and have low humus content due to rapid breakdown of organic material.
Various species of decomposers such as insects, bacteria and fungi quickly turn all dead plant matter into humus (humification). Plants quickly take up nutrients from the 0-Horizon the moment they are released. This is so heavy rain does not wash away nutrients before they absorb them.
Therefore, rainforests have a very short nutrient cycle, it takes a few days for dead organic matter to be converted into humus and absorbed by plants. All life in rainforest is based on decay.
When a rainforest is cut down, the nutrients are removed from the ecosystem and the remaining soul can only be used for a short time before becoming infertile.
Poor soil management such as deforestation, intense heating and heavy rainfall can lead to laterite soils developing.
Laterite is a hard brick-like soil impossible to cultivate, even when wet. It occurs when the iron and aluminium forms a hard pan and when topsoil is removed by erosion the hardpan is exposed and baked.
The rapid rate of deforestation and land clearance drastically impacts climate. The conventional rains depend on the trees to hold the water, without trees the local water cycle is disrupted and potential desertification could result.
Also population pressure has meant that the traditional slash and burn system of land clearance is not sustainable as the land has no time to recover. The land is also being cleared for coffee plantations.
In areas of the savanna climate, Soya has been genetically modified to grow in the hot arid conditions. These monoculture plantations threaten to invade and reduce natural habitats.
Agriculture in Brazil A1 Sample answer
Brazil has a tropical climate with temperatures of more than 26 degrees. Brazil receives between 1000 to 2000 mm of rain each year. Most of this rainfall occurs between October and March. The Amazon Basin has an equatorial climate which is not suitable for agriculture this area is covered by tropical red soils which are heavily leached and infertile. Approximately 2000 to 3000 mm of rain falls each year causing soil erosion. The South East is covered by Terra Rossa soils this is dark in colour and rich in minerals. It is well drained and fertile. Coffee trees are grown in this area along the River Valleys. Alluvial soils are also present due to annual flooding. Because of the tropical climate Brazil has high temperatures and a year round growing season. Farmers can grow a variety of crops including coffee and soya. Cattle ranching, occurs inland. This is extensive farming.
Extensive farming is farming that takes place over a large area of land. The rainforest is being cleared to make room for cattle ranching. This has a negative environmental impact. Brazil is the 3rd largest supplier of beef in the world. Intensive plantation agriculture of coffee sugarcane and oranges occurs in the south east. Brazil is the number 1 producer of orange juice sugar and coffee in the world. Coffee grows on the escarpment on the south east coast. Coffee grows best on sloping grounds.
Coffee was once 60% of Brazil's exports but is now only 2%. Sugarcane was planted in large plantations along Brazil's east Coast. It is widely grown and used for biofuel. Over half the vehicles in Brazil run on biofuel benefiting the economy. Brazil has a market of 204 million and a market in South America. This market is poor. Brazil also exports to the USA and Europe. Brazil has a well-developed road network in the South East and the major cities are connected by motorway.
Eastern Brazil has a rail network which transports coffee beans sugar and Soya. The Amazon drains most of northern Brazil. Traffic on this river is light because of the low population density. Coastal shipping is important along the coast. Because of this the ports are been upgraded to cope with the increase in Brazil's trade.
Primary activities in Brazil| sample answer
Primary activities in Brazil| sample answer
Q: ‘Examine the development of primary activities in a continental/ sub-continental region of your choice’ (2007 Q4 C.)
Brazil a predominantly tropical country famous for its extensive Amazon lowlands, however, highlands cover most of the natural territory.
The main primary activities are agriculture, forestry and mining.
Agriculture is worth about 25% of Brazil's GDP. The EU buys roughly 42% of Brazil's agricultural export like coffee and sugar0 things Europe has no other way of getting.
Modern farming techniques are encouraged and there is extensive research investment into to developing farming. s a result effective crop rotations are put in place to keep soil fertile.
Corn, soya and sugar are Brazil's main crops;
Argentina and Brazil provide half of the world's soybeans and scientists have developed them to grow in Savanna areas of Brazil's interior.
Sugar cane production employs over 900,000 people in Brazil. 50% of it is used to produce a biofuel called ethanol which is used instead of petrol. 90% is grown in south-centre Brazil.
Brazil holds over 32% of the world market for coffee. In 2010 it was worth €96 billion for the economy. Production is controlled by multinational companies like Nestlé.
Brazilian coffee industry thrives because it has the perfect physical features for it; tropical climate, absence of frost, deep well-drained soils, humid conditions and high altitude.
Large parts of Brazil have deep well-drained terra rosa soil and high lands provide the correct altitude for coffee.
This means that large parts of western Bahia is suitable for coffee but the clearing of fragile ecosystems for these plantations has risen environmental concerns..
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef with over 165m cattle in the country. Pastures occupy about 19% of the country and the clearing of rainforest for this is also controversial.
Forestry is an important economic activity in Brazil seeing as it is home to the Amazon rainforest, also known as the ‘lungs of the Earth’. The main trees harvested are tropical hardwoods (teak, mahogany). A single tree could be worth €15000.
Timber production accounts for 3.5% of Brazils GDP and provides 6 million direct and indirect jobs. 80% of the wood harvested is illegal.
Brazil has a wide range of minerals (diamonds, iron ore, gold). Bahia also produces ¹/4 million tons of copper concentrate.
Two large oil fields have been discovered off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. They are the Tupi field and the Sugar Loaf field. It is the 4th largest field in the world.
Primary activities in Brazil| sample answer
Q: ‘Examine the development of primary activities in a continental/ sub-continental region of your choice’ (2007 Q4 C.)
Brazil a predominantly tropical country famous for its extensive Amazon lowlands, however, highlands cover most of the natural territory.
The main primary activities are agriculture, forestry and mining.
Agriculture is worth about 25% of Brazil's GDP. The EU buys roughly 42% of Brazil's agricultural export like coffee and sugar0 things Europe has no other way of getting.
Modern farming techniques are encouraged and there is extensive research investment into to developing farming. s a result effective crop rotations are put in place to keep soil fertile.
Corn, soya and sugar are Brazil's main crops;
Argentina and Brazil provide half of the world's soybeans and scientists have developed them to grow in Savanna areas of Brazil's interior.
Sugar cane production employs over 900,000 people in Brazil. 50% of it is used to produce a biofuel called ethanol which is used instead of petrol. 90% is grown in south-centre Brazil.
Brazil holds over 32% of the world market for coffee. In 2010 it was worth €96 billion for the economy. Production is controlled by multinational companies like Nestlé.
Brazilian coffee industry thrives because it has the perfect physical features for it; tropical climate, absence of frost, deep well-drained soils, humid conditions and high altitude.
Large parts of Brazil have deep well-drained terra rosa soil and high lands provide the correct altitude for coffee.
This means that large parts of western Bahia is suitable for coffee but the clearing of fragile ecosystems for these plantations has risen environmental concerns..
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef with over 165m cattle in the country. Pastures occupy about 19% of the country and the clearing of rainforest for this is also controversial.
Forestry is an important economic activity in Brazil seeing as it is home to the Amazon rainforest, also known as the ‘lungs of the Earth’. The main trees harvested are tropical hardwoods (teak, mahogany). A single tree could be worth €15000.
Timber production accounts for 3.5% of Brazils GDP and provides 6 million direct and indirect jobs. 80% of the wood harvested is illegal.
Brazil has a wide range of minerals (diamonds, iron ore, gold). Bahia also produces ¹/4 million tons of copper concentrate.
Two large oil fields have been discovered off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. They are the Tupi field and the Sugar Loaf field. It is the 4th largest field in the world.
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Secondary activities in Brazil| sample answer
Q: Examine the development of secondary activities in a continental/ sub-continental region of your choice.
The region I have studied is Brazil.
Brazil is classified as a newly industrialised country (NIC). This means that its economy is undergoing rapid industrialisation, increased foreign direct investment and increased global trade
Manufacturing is a growth industry in Brazil. It s growing by 3% each year, especially in the South-East state of sao Paulo.
THe main industrial products ranked by value of sales are; diesel oil, processed iron ore and cars. The south east region produces €364 billion worth of manufactured goods each year, 60.7% of total sales.
After World War 1, government policy forced Brazilian industry to develop because food and resource rations on imported goods made Brazil consider making their own good.
To break the dependence on exports of unprocessed raw materials, a new Industrialization programme was introduced. It was called the Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI) scheme and was brought in 1950.
The goal of this programme was to move to domestic manufactured goods to replace imports. This finally gave Brazil the opportunity to enter the industrial age and become self-sufficient.
Because of the ISI, large multi-national companies like Ford and Volkswagen were encouraged to come to Brazil, as a result coffee only accounts for 2% of todays exports. Steel, chemicals and engineering products have replaced it.
Tariffs and bans were placed on imported goods so foreign goods were more expensive and this further encouraged people to buy local goods.
Five events have occurred since the 1970s that have opened up Brazil’s economy to the world and greatly increased the number of countries with which it trades.
The local national ethanol programme was launched when the 1970’s oil crisis came to light and oil prices rocketed up. The idea was to switch diesel petrol to the biofuel ethanol.
After huge costs of the ISI scheme, Brazil entered a debt crisis. They were initiated into a programme called the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank which encouraged production of exports of cash crops like soya.
In 1991 the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) was established, which allowed free trade between South America countries and provided a large market for Brazil’s manufactured goods.
In 1944 the government implemented the Real plan to reduce inflation and increased the value of the Brazilian currency. A new currency -the Real- was introduced. It was very successful and Brazil’s economic position recovered.
At the start of the 21st Century, economic problems recurred and Brazil received a bailout of €23 billion from the IMF. Growth resumed and the loan was paid off in 2005.
The most recent world recession hit Brazil in 2008 but after only 6 months Brazil was one the first countries to show signs of recovery due to the strength of its manufacturing industry within the global market.
The South East coastline has many sheltered, deep water inlets which are used for the import and export of goods and Brazil has huge supplies of cheap Hydroelectric Power, 90% of which is produced in the Amazon Basin. These are two factors driving industry o develop into the future
Q: Examine the development of secondary activities in a continental/ sub-continental region of your choice.
The region I have studied is Brazil.
Brazil is classified as a newly industrialised country (NIC). This means that its economy is undergoing rapid industrialisation, increased foreign direct investment and increased global trade
Manufacturing is a growth industry in Brazil. It s growing by 3% each year, especially in the South-East state of sao Paulo.
THe main industrial products ranked by value of sales are; diesel oil, processed iron ore and cars. The south east region produces €364 billion worth of manufactured goods each year, 60.7% of total sales.
After World War 1, government policy forced Brazilian industry to develop because food and resource rations on imported goods made Brazil consider making their own good.
To break the dependence on exports of unprocessed raw materials, a new Industrialization programme was introduced. It was called the Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI) scheme and was brought in 1950.
The goal of this programme was to move to domestic manufactured goods to replace imports. This finally gave Brazil the opportunity to enter the industrial age and become self-sufficient.
Because of the ISI, large multi-national companies like Ford and Volkswagen were encouraged to come to Brazil, as a result coffee only accounts for 2% of todays exports. Steel, chemicals and engineering products have replaced it.
Tariffs and bans were placed on imported goods so foreign goods were more expensive and this further encouraged people to buy local goods.
Five events have occurred since the 1970s that have opened up Brazil’s economy to the world and greatly increased the number of countries with which it trades.
The local national ethanol programme was launched when the 1970’s oil crisis came to light and oil prices rocketed up. The idea was to switch diesel petrol to the biofuel ethanol.
After huge costs of the ISI scheme, Brazil entered a debt crisis. They were initiated into a programme called the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank which encouraged production of exports of cash crops like soya.
In 1991 the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) was established, which allowed free trade between South America countries and provided a large market for Brazil’s manufactured goods.
In 1944 the government implemented the Real plan to reduce inflation and increased the value of the Brazilian currency. A new currency -the Real- was introduced. It was very successful and Brazil’s economic position recovered.
At the start of the 21st Century, economic problems recurred and Brazil received a bailout of €23 billion from the IMF. Growth resumed and the loan was paid off in 2005.
The most recent world recession hit Brazil in 2008 but after only 6 months Brazil was one the first countries to show signs of recovery due to the strength of its manufacturing industry within the global market.
The South East coastline has many sheltered, deep water inlets which are used for the import and export of goods and Brazil has huge supplies of cheap Hydroelectric Power, 90% of which is produced in the Amazon Basin. These are two factors driving industry o develop into the future
Tertiary activities in Brazil| sample answer
Q: ‘Account for the development of one tertiary economic activity in any one Continental/ Sub-Continental Region that you have studied’ (2009 Q5 C.)
Brazil is a tropical country famous for its extensive Amazon lowlands; however highlands cover most of the natural territory.
Two tertiary activities found in this region are tourism and transport. Both Activities are influenced by physical and human factors.
Over 40% of the Brazilian population is involved in tourism and it generates up to €60 billion per for the Brazilian economy.
Tourism is the most developed tertiary activity as it accounts for 71% of Brazil’s economic activity, compared to the underdeveloped transport system.
Brazil’s hot, sunny climate attracts millions of visitors each year. As the seasons of Brazil do not change drastically throughout the year means it is an all year round holiday destination.
Other natural attractions include the Amazon Rainforest, the idyllic coastlines eg Bahia Coastline and Brazilian Wetlands, which are teeming with wildlife, attracting thousands of bird watchers every year.
Tourism is increasing due to improved air travel but Brazil’s transport system still remains under developed and it hinders the tourism industry.
Crime in Brazil is also something that hinders the tourism industry. Brazil is seen as a dangerous destination due to the illegal drug business and kidnappings and all this is well publicised in the media.
The Plano Aquarela 2020 is a plan to double the number of foreign visitors into Brazil in the next 10 years. The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games will also result in huge numbers.
Transport;
The roads in Brazil are underdeveloped, though mainly outside the city. Dirt roads make it hard to travel and long distances put tourists off travelling around Brazil.
Exports and imports are low due to the lack of seaports. The one main part is drastically underdeveloped as it is still using basic equipment to unload goods.
Government schemes have improved the transports systems within the region with the building of the trans- Amazon Highway, which is 4,000km of road connecting Brazil to Pen and Columbia.
Rail is very underused and accounts for only 25% of freight movement, although the country’s rail network has grown by 20% since 1990’s.
Brazil’s great potential for river transport also remains under exploited. Waterways currently account for only 13% of haulage traffic, even though Brazil has 48,000km network of navigable rivers.
Q: ‘Account for the development of one tertiary economic activity in any one Continental/ Sub-Continental Region that you have studied’ (2009 Q5 C.)
Brazil is a tropical country famous for its extensive Amazon lowlands; however highlands cover most of the natural territory.
Two tertiary activities found in this region are tourism and transport. Both Activities are influenced by physical and human factors.
Over 40% of the Brazilian population is involved in tourism and it generates up to €60 billion per for the Brazilian economy.
Tourism is the most developed tertiary activity as it accounts for 71% of Brazil’s economic activity, compared to the underdeveloped transport system.
Brazil’s hot, sunny climate attracts millions of visitors each year. As the seasons of Brazil do not change drastically throughout the year means it is an all year round holiday destination.
Other natural attractions include the Amazon Rainforest, the idyllic coastlines eg Bahia Coastline and Brazilian Wetlands, which are teeming with wildlife, attracting thousands of bird watchers every year.
Tourism is increasing due to improved air travel but Brazil’s transport system still remains under developed and it hinders the tourism industry.
Crime in Brazil is also something that hinders the tourism industry. Brazil is seen as a dangerous destination due to the illegal drug business and kidnappings and all this is well publicised in the media.
The Plano Aquarela 2020 is a plan to double the number of foreign visitors into Brazil in the next 10 years. The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games will also result in huge numbers.
Transport;
The roads in Brazil are underdeveloped, though mainly outside the city. Dirt roads make it hard to travel and long distances put tourists off travelling around Brazil.
Exports and imports are low due to the lack of seaports. The one main part is drastically underdeveloped as it is still using basic equipment to unload goods.
Government schemes have improved the transports systems within the region with the building of the trans- Amazon Highway, which is 4,000km of road connecting Brazil to Pen and Columbia.
Rail is very underused and accounts for only 25% of freight movement, although the country’s rail network has grown by 20% since 1990’s.
Brazil’s great potential for river transport also remains under exploited. Waterways currently account for only 13% of haulage traffic, even though Brazil has 48,000km network of navigable rivers.
Regions (Continental)| A1 Sample answer
Culture in Brazil
The three main cultural groups in Brazil are Native Brazilians, African Brazilians and White people. Brazil was originally inhabited by Portuguese colonists who arrived in the 16th century. Slaves were brought from Africa to Brazil where they worked in the sugar plantations. Brazil was the last country in the world to free its slaves in 1888. The Northeast of Brazil has the greatest amount of African Brazilians. There are more people of African origin in Brazil than any other country outside of Africa. In Brazil African Brazilians are more likely to work in menial jobs and live in the slums then white Brazilians.
Only 14% of African Brazilians enrol in school and third level education while around 45% of the white population go to third level. This number is much higher in countries such as Ireland. Most native people live in the Amazon Basin. Native tribes are divided into two hundred cultural groups with 120 different languages. Today there about 350000 native people left compared to the 2 to 6 million there was 500 years ago. They suffered from slavery and dispossession of their lands. Many died from diseases such a small pox. Native people remain under threat from deforestation caused by cattle ranching. The government has allocated 20% of the rainforest to the tribes. The main religion in Brazil is Catholicism. Brazil has more Catholics than any other country in the world. Many churches are seen around Brazil.
The native tribes have their own tribal religions. African Brazilian religions add to the cultural diversity of Brazil. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Brazilian Portuguese contains many words and expressions from African languages like Piranha and Samba. Many of the native tribes have their own languages but several are spoken by less than 600 people. They are in danger of becoming extinct. Guarani is spoken by about 35000 tribal people near the border with Paraguay. Brazil has a distinctive music tradition. Music is Central to the culture of the country. Samba music is based on African rhythms brought by slaves. Brazil also has a carnival each year.
Urbanization in a Sub-continental Region| Sample Essay
Sao Paulo is the largest urban agglomeration in Brazil. It is the largest industrial area in South America. Until the 1880s the area was a minor commercial centre. When Rio had a population of 500,000 in 1890, Sao Paulo only had a population of 65,000. It was coffee that brought an increase in the population. The plantations that were developed attracted people from the hinterland and other cities. The area was transformed by this frontier into a vibrant economic region. By the early 1990s the city had grown to 240,000 due to the massive influx of people, particularly from Europe. By 1950 it had become a major manufacturing area in Brazil. Today, Sao Paulo metropolitan area accounts for half of Brazil’s total industrial output.
The city faces many environmental and ecological problems associated with rapid industrialisation and population growth. More than 50% of the population lives in substandard housing and many residents do not have access to clean water or sanitation services. Air, noise and visual pollution are a major problem. Crime rates are high, congestion with traffic and overcrowding are evident. Despite rapid industrial growth the economy has not been able to absorb the labour force and as a result, unemployment and underemployment remain a consistent problem.
The Brazilian economy during the 1990s linked with devaluation of the real in 1998 further weakened the economy. The situation of Sao Paulo is not unique. Most cities of the world have experienced dramatic growth since the 1950s as world populations have rocketed. Sao Paulo is a very good example of this type of growth. Today, there are 400 cities with populations of over 1 million people; Sao Paulo has approximately 17 million. Managing the change that has occurred and will continue to occur well into the 21st century is a major challenge for the planners in all Brazilian cities, particularly Sao Paulo. The success and failure of such planning will demand accurate demographic statistics
Sao Paulo is the largest urban agglomeration in Brazil. It is the largest industrial area in South America. Until the 1880s the area was a minor commercial centre. When Rio had a population of 500,000 in 1890, Sao Paulo only had a population of 65,000. It was coffee that brought an increase in the population. The plantations that were developed attracted people from the hinterland and other cities. The area was transformed by this frontier into a vibrant economic region. By the early 1990s the city had grown to 240,000 due to the massive influx of people, particularly from Europe. By 1950 it had become a major manufacturing area in Brazil. Today, Sao Paulo metropolitan area accounts for half of Brazil’s total industrial output.
The city faces many environmental and ecological problems associated with rapid industrialisation and population growth. More than 50% of the population lives in substandard housing and many residents do not have access to clean water or sanitation services. Air, noise and visual pollution are a major problem. Crime rates are high, congestion with traffic and overcrowding are evident. Despite rapid industrial growth the economy has not been able to absorb the labour force and as a result, unemployment and underemployment remain a consistent problem.
The Brazilian economy during the 1990s linked with devaluation of the real in 1998 further weakened the economy. The situation of Sao Paulo is not unique. Most cities of the world have experienced dramatic growth since the 1950s as world populations have rocketed. Sao Paulo is a very good example of this type of growth. Today, there are 400 cities with populations of over 1 million people; Sao Paulo has approximately 17 million. Managing the change that has occurred and will continue to occur well into the 21st century is a major challenge for the planners in all Brazilian cities, particularly Sao Paulo. The success and failure of such planning will demand accurate demographic statistics
Quiz
- What is the capital of Brazil?
- What is the population of Brazil?
- How many states are there?
- Give 2 other interesting facts about the population of Brazil. (2)
- What % of the world's copper supplies are found in Brazil.
- Over 50% of this copper goes to which 2 countries? (2)
- Name 2 major oil fields in Brazil and give their location. (3)
- If the Amazon Rainforest was a country where would it rank in the world in terms of km2?
- Name 2 trees that are logged in the Amazon and how much are they worth? (3)
- Forestry is worth what % of Brazil's GDP?
- How the big is the Amazon rainforest?
- What % of Brazil's GDP comes from agriculture?
- Where is sugar cane grown and what is it used for? (2)
- Why is Soya in such demand?
- How is it limited in terms of employment?
- What % of Brazil is made up of pastural land?
- Why is it considered the world's largest herd?
- What was the estimated worth of coffee to Brazil's economy in 2010.
- List 3 conditions needed for coffee growing. Where can these conditions be found in Brazil. (4)
- Describe the relief of Brazil. (2)
- What 3 soils are found in Brazil (3)
- 90% of which forest has been destroyed? (2)
- Name the 3 climate types and give 2 points of info on each. Also where is each on found. (12)
- What does NIC mean?
- What is the ISI scheme. (2)
- How does raw materials impact industrial development in Brazil? (2)
- What is the wealth disparity of Brazil. How is this demonstrated in Sao Paulo? (2)
- Why is car manufacturing popular in Sao Paulo? (2)
- What percentage of the population are employed in tertiary economic activities?
- Why do some of these employee's find it difficult to make ends meet?
- Name 2 places eco-tourist might visit.
- What cultural event attracts tourist?
- Name 2 things that hider tourism.
- What is the largest tourist destination called?
- What plan was developed to promote tourism ahead of the World Cup and Olympics.
- What years did each event take place? (2)
- How do private investors cover their costs in building roads. Give example. (2)
- What % of roads in Brazil are paved.
- What is the name of a major road in Brazil.
- Why are ports problematic for industrial development.
Urbanisation
- What % of people live in Urban areas?
- Name 3 major cities. (3)
- How many favelas are in these cities?
- Where is the Venice of Brazil and why is it called this? (2)
- Which is the biggest city in S. America?
- How many industries and banking agencies are located there? (2)
- What is Heliopolis?
- Name 2 major urban problems associated with these cities. (2)
- What government policies were introduced to tackle traffic.
- How have the government tackled favelas since the 1980s. How do they manage them today. (4)
- What does Cingapura mean?