Brazil is the world´s 5th largest
country in extension, a total of 8,547,403 km² , an area bigger than the continental U.S. Politically, it is divided in 26 states plus a federal district, where it´s capital, Brasilia, is located. The estimated population of the country is 169,799,170 (2000) and it´s currency is the Real (R$). The exchange rate, comparing to U.S. dollar is about US$1,00=R$2,15 (september/06) Just as a curiosity, a McDonald´s meal in the country costs about US$4,88 , gas is around US$4,47 / gal (regular) and a brand new economy car won´t be bought with less than US$10,500. Though Brazil is
located in
south america, the one and only language spoken in the country is portuguese, and not spanish as one may say. The average temperature is above 70°F, though it can easily reach the 90´s on the extreme
north and northeast all year long, and can go as low as the 20´s on the very south in the winter. Brazil is a Federative republic, and each state has it´s own governor; governors, mayors, federal and state representatives are elected every four years by direct vote. The country is diveded in 5 regions: north, north-east, west-central, south-east and south, on four different time zones (GMT-2/3/4/5) that can vary due to day-light savings. The south-east
region is the most developed, and represents 10,1% of the national territory. In this region are located Brazil´s largest cities - Sao Paulo - with over 12 million inhabitants, and Rio de Janeiro (over 6 million). The region produces over 50% of the national industrial production. It´s minerals reserves include, but are not limited to, steel and oil, mostly on the Rio de Janeiro shore. The biggest indestrial center in Latin America, due to it´s high concentration of industries of all kinds, is also found in the state of Sao Paulo. The industrial
production in this state includes, but is not limited to vehicle production, aircraft, satelites and advanced technology electronics. The total production of the state in 1995 was US$ 203 billion and it has a power plant capacity of 11 million kw (1995), and consummed in the same year 92 billion kwh This abstract was checked by WhiteSmoke Solution. Learn more.
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