Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE ECONOMY
The Brazilian economy is
counted among the world's
10 largest, though it is riddled
with contradictions -
favelas
(shantytowns) coexist with
skyscrapers in the cities. The
foundations for modern eco-
nomic prosperity were laid,
ironically, during the years of
the military dictatorship from
1964 to 1984, when Brazil's
rulers borrowed heavily from
international banks to fund various
large projects. However, it was only
during the administration of Fernando
Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002) that
Brazil's economy became more
market-orientated, a trend that has
been carried forward by his successor,
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - “Lula.”
Today, Brazil's major exports
feature both manufactured goods,
including machinery and automobiles,
as well as agricultural products, such
as soya beans and coffee. In recent
years, Brazil has emerged as an eco-
nomic powerhouse and a strong
advocate of opening up global trade
to developing nations. Its vision of
exploring new energy production
methods is manifested by Petrobras,
Brazil's largest oil-producing com-
pany. Run by the state, Petrobras is
Caiman and butterflies in the splendid Amazonian greenery
Minas Gerais, the historic cities of
the Northeast, and the picturesque
European-influenced, wine-producing
towns in Southern Brazil, are just
a few examples of this remarkable
heterogeneity.
The diverse character of Brazil is
reflected in its five distinct ecosystems
- the Amazon rainforest, the semi-
arid
sertão
, the central
cerrado
(savanna), the wildlife-rich Pantanal
wetlands, and the lush Mata Atlântica.
The varied natural attractions of
the country include the spectacular
falls at Foz do Iguaçu, captivating
Amazônia, the splendid beaches of
Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast, the
luxuriant grasslands of Rio Grande
do Sul, the pristine-white sand dunes
of Lençóis Maranhenses, and the
abundant, breathtaking flora and
fauna of the Pantanal.
The verdant countryside near Bento Gonçalves, a wine-producing town in the Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul
