Swarms of
gold prospectors,
known as garimpeiros,
cover this Brazilian hillside. They chip away rock
with pickaxes, hoping they might find their fortune in gold.gold rush
Brazil’s mineral wealth ranges from iron and tin to gold and precious
stones, such as diamond and topaz. since the 1980s, thousands of
miners have flooded to the serra Pelada region, burrowing into the
hillside with their bare
hands in search
of gold.About 30 percent of the
world’s coffee comes
from Brazil. It is
grown in the warm
fertile soils of
central and
southern Brazil.Brazil, the largest country
in south america, is a land of contrasts.
to the south, it is dominated by the
rolling grasslands of the Brazilian
highlands, while arid deserts lie to the
northeast. three-fifths of Brazil’s total
land area is covered by the world’s
largest rain forest, which forms the
drainage basin of the amazon,
the world’s second-longest river.
increasingly, the rain forest is being
cleared for agriculture, cattle ranching,
mining, and the timber industry, as
Brazil’s rapidly growing population
places more pressure on the land. rural
poverty drives many people to overcrowded
cities. são Paulo, the fastest growing city on
the continent, is a major industrial center.
Brazil was colonized in the 16th century by
the Portuguese, who imported african slaves
to work on sugar plantations. today, Brazil is
the largest roman catholic nation in the
world and has a vibrant mix of indian,
Portuguese, and african cultures.79
rio carnival
every year, just before lent, rio de Janeiro is transformed
by a five-day carnival. huge parades snake their way through
the city. Brightly dressed singers, musicians, and dancers fill
the streets with color, spectacle, and the sound of samba music.shantytowns
For many people living in rural
poverty, cities seem to offer a
chance of employment and a better
life. yet a severe lack of housing in
Brazil’s major cities has led to the
growth of favelas. these shantytowns,
built of wood and corrugated iron,
sprawl over land that is unfit
for other development.Brazil borders every country in
south america, except chile
and ecuador. its atlantic border
is 4,600 miles (7,400 km) long.Carnival party-
goers compete
with each other for
the prize for the
most outrageous
costume and best-
decorated float.Brazil 79-
rio de Janeiro
rio de Janeiro is located on the
atlantic coast and sprawls across
bays, islands, and the foothills of the
coastal mountains. it is dominated
by the distinctive shape of sugarloaf
Mountain and the monumental
statue of christ the redeemer.
Founded by the Portuguese in 1565,
it was the capital of Brazil from 1763
to 1960. today, this rapidly growing
city is a major international port,
and a commercial, manufacturing
and cultural center. it is also famous
for its beaches, annual carnival,
and exciting nightlife.US_079_BRAZIL_1.indd 79 20/01/16 4:33 pm