BRAZIL

Brazil is the largest and most populous country in south america, and the fifth largest in the world in both area and population. Tropical climate is predominant. In the south of the country, subtropicalclimate prevails. Brazil was colonized by portugal in1500 and has been a sovereign nation since 1822. There publican system has been adapted since 1889. The official language is portuguese. Catholicism is the predominant religion. Brazil has the largest romancatholic population in the world. Brazil is home ofthe amazon, the largest river in the world in flowing water volume, and the second-largest in the world; theParana and its major tributary, the Iguacu River, where the Iguacu Falls are located. The beaches of Riode Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, are famous world wide. Geographically, mainland Brazil is commonly divided into five regions: North, Northeast,Central-West, Southeast and South. The Pantanal is located in the Central-West region of Brazil is the worlds largest marshlands area.

The Southeast region is the richest and most densely populated region. It has more inhabitants than anyother South American country, and hosts one of thelargest megalopolis of the world, whereof the maincities are the countrys two biggest ones; Sao Pauloand Rio de Janeiro. The region is very diverseincluding the major business centre of Sao Paulo, the historical cities of Minas Gerais and its capital Bello Horizonte, the third largest metropolitan areain Brazil, the world famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro ,and the acclaimed coast of Espirito Santo. Brazil¨s economy its based in orange juice, steel, textiles, foot wear, corned beef and electrical equipment. According to the International Monetary Fund and theWorld Bank, Brazil has the ninth largest economy inthe world at Purchasing Power Parity and tenth largestat market exchange rates. Brazil¨s inmense area issubdivided into different ecosystems, wich together sustain some of the worlds greatest biodiversity.