Democratic Government Of Brazil example essay topic

Brazil Introduction Brazil is said to be the type of country a thousand or more words could never adequately describe. It is one of the largest, most populated countries in the world. But it's vast size, breath taking geographical features, and diverse people are not what make Brazil. Its history, economy, government, culture and resources that make it the country it is today. It is the largest country in South America. Brazil occupies almost half of the South American continent.

In this research paper Brazil will be explained by divulging information on its: land and resources, people and society, economy, government and history. Perhaps by the end Brazil will be revealed in all her shinning glory. The basics As stated before Brazil is located on the South American continent. Its capital is Brasilia and Brazil's largest city is Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo also serves as the main industrial center of the nation. Its two main physical features are: the densely forested lowlands of the Amazon in the north, and it's generally open uplands of the Brazilian highlands in the south.

(Encarta) Brazils' population is extremely diverse consisting of: Native Americans, Portuguese settlers, and African slaves. As can be imagined this caused an extremely complicated and complex mixture and culture. This fact, among others, leans to the reason for such a rich and unique Brazilian culture. Brazil's estimated population is 176,029,560. The official language is Portuguese, but Spanish, English, and French are also spoken.

Aside from these four main languages, there are over 100 indigenous languages. The most important of these indigenous languages include: Tupi, Ge, Arawak, and Carib. Over 90% of the Brazilian population are Roman Catholic. The government is a Federal Republic with a president ruling and a bicameral legislature.

The People Surprisingly enough this huge melting pot for the Native American, European, Portuguese, and African people have very few ethnic tensions. Racial classification often reflects a persons economic or social standing. The Native American people were the first to occupy Brazil but now make up the smallest portion. The Portuguese came into play in 1500 with the Europeans following after 1850. The Africans came to Brazil as slaves from the mid 1500-1850.

In 1850 the slave trade was ended, as did the Africans migration to Brazil. Immigrants from Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain began making their way to Brazil after the end of the slave trade in hopes of good jobs and a better life. The Japanese arrived well after 1908. With so many people migrating or being delivered to Brazil it is easy to see why there was such a rapid and large population growth during these years. But after all the newcomers were in and settled the population growth was mostly due to national increase as it continues to be presently. The most densely populated states are: Rio de Janeiro, Federal District, and Sao Paulo.

Most of the population live in urban areas, aside from the diminished Native Americans who mostly reside in the Amazon Basin area. Eighty one percent of the population is officially classified as urban. Eighty percent of the population live within 220 miles of the coast. As far as the populations' way of life is concerned, like any country it has a very wide range.

Homes can go from luxurious mansions and apartments to Fave las (shantytowns). The clothing is not very distinctive in this day and age. Several years back some cultures attempted to keep their styles original, but many have traded this in for a more modern look. Staple foods in the Brazilian diet include: beans, rice, wheat, manioc and beef. Soccer is the most popular sport. Economy The economy in Brazil has often been thought of as one that is not very efficient, seeing as how it has struggled for a while and never really seemed to be completely up and running.

This assumption however, is false. The key to Brazils' economic development was manufacturing. Before 1930 the economy was dominated by agricultural and mineral products for export. It was soon found that this was a very bad idea because if something were to go wrong with the crops, the whole economy would be heading in a very swift down slide. So after the depression the government decided to diversify its economy.

Its main tool with which to undergo such a process successfully was industrialization. In the years to follow the government worked directly with all kinds of professionals and even started some of their own state owned companies. Their idea worked and they gradually began to pull back as this new and wonderful industrialization began working on its own. In 1995 the Brazilian government was officially rewarded for their efforts when they ranked among the World Bank's Upper Middle-Income countries. Even though the governments' decision to go industrial was a beneficial one for the economy they still had a hard time developing. Some of the contributing factors to this slow going process were the periodic world recessions, oil crisis, and the accumulation of high foreign debt.

Government The government of any country is often one of the first things researchers look at to determine the character of a country. In seeking to understand the character of Brazil its government must also be explained and researched. It has been a republic since 1889. The democratic government of Brazil was suspended during the dictatorship of Getulio Vargas. The republic of Brazil functioned under five constitutions, the current constitution becoming effective in 1988.

These constitutions had a great impact on all of its citizens and made numerous positive changes. The government has three distinctive elements similar to those of the United States government. Its three elements are: the president, the congress, and the supreme Federal Tribunal. All citizens, age 16 and up, and eligible to vote, thanks to the constitution.

When looking at local government there are a few other factors to be considered. Brazil is divided into 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia. Each state has a governor and legislature that has been voted into office by the people. The basic unit of the local government is municipio (municipality). Each state has slight varieties in certain rules and regulation, and each state has a voice.

This luxury and right was also thanks to the constitutions. Brazils' party system is very different from that of the United States. The major parties include: the Brazilian Social Democratic Party, Brazilian Democratic Movement party, Brazilian Labor party, Progressive Party, and Democratic Workers Party. All of these parties were approved in 1979. Many of them stem from the original parties banned in earlier years leaving very few new ones. History The history of a country is also a very important aspect in the investigation of a country seeing as how the history is what makes it what it is today.

The history of Brazil can be divided into two parts: the colonial period from the arrival of the first Portuguese explorers until independence, and the national period since independence form Portugal. During the colonial period Brazil became the first great plantation slave society in the Americas. An achievement most are sure the country is not proud of. Another important aspect in the history of Brazil would be the gold rush of the 1700's. Brazil was the first country in the America's to have gold discovered. The gold was found on the frontier territory inland from the coast.

Another number one spot Brazil received was in the area of racially mixed societies. They were found to be one of the most racially mixed societies in the world. Agriculture Since the government jumped on the industrialization wagon agriculture has gone from a number one spot in economic importance to a number three spot. Even though agriculture took a hard hit in the downward direction, it is still responsible for one third of export earnings. While Brazil is capable of producing a large variety of goods, it has some products it produces more than others. Brazil is the largest coffee, soybean, and sugar producer.

It's also one of the world's largest producers of oranges, bananas, and papaws, a popular tropical fruit. The industrialization idea did not have an altogether negative effect on agriculture. It helped to modernize the process considerably through the use of mechanization, fertilizers and irrigation, and improvements in storage and transports. Agriculture is and always will play a very important role in the economy of Brazil, even if it's not number one anymore. Conclusion Brazil is a country full of life, lessons, learning and culture. It is a country that will always stand strong and accomplish most of its goals simply because of its determination.

It has undergone many changes and still kept its integrity and its values. It has shed away from discrimination and because of these things it has become the absolutely awesome country it is today.