GeoFroggy

View Large Map

Background

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. 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.

Location

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than the US

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Climate

Mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Natural Hazards

Recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Environment Current Issues

Deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

South America

Irrigated Land 1998

26,560 sq km

Area 2005

Total

8,511,965 sq km
Land

8,456,510 sq km
Water

55,455 sq km

Coastline

7,491 km

Geographical Coordinates

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Land use 2005

Arable Land
6.96%
Permanent Crops
0.9%
Other
92.15%

Terrain

Mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains
Hills
Mountains
And narrow coastal belt

Elevation

Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m

Land Boundaries

Total
14,691 km
Argentina
1,224 km
Bolivia
3,400 km
Colombia
1,643 km
French Guiana
673 km
Guyana
1,119 km
Paraguay
1,290 km
Peru
1,560 km
Suriname
597 km
Uruguay
985 km
Venezuela
2,200 km

Natural Resources

Bauxite
Gold
Iron ore
Manganese
Nickel
Phosphates

Platinum
Tin
Uranium
Petroleum
Hydropower
Timber

Brazil