Brazil Travellers Guide:
Total Area:8,511,965 sq km Land Borders: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana,
Population: 188,078,227 Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Life Expectancy: 72 years HIV % Total Poulation:n/0.7%a
Ethnic Groups:white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%
Languages:Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
President:Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA GDP - Per Capita: $8,400
Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.