1.2.1.

1 Geographical Location

http://geology.com/world/map/map-of-brazil.gif East side of south America, also known as Latin America 1.3 Population

The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of Brazil on the world and within its region. 1.4 Brazils International Trade

http://www.joc.com/sites/default/files/u64286/Brazil%20Trade%20Data%20July%2013.jpg

Brazils drastic increase in international trade can be accredited to its substantial reductions in border trade barriers (tariffs, import licensing etc) resulting in a 94% increase in imports. The primary trading partners of Brazil are the United States and Argentina. The United States is the major importing country of Brazilian goods. Exports to the United States reached US$9.7 billion, representing 19 percent of all exports (this percentage has been the same since 1996).

2.1 Economic Growth, and Expectations

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Brazil expanded 0.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter. GDP Growth Rate in Brazil is reported by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatstica (IBGE). In recent years, the country has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world primarily due to its export potential. The countrys trade is driven by its extensive natural resources and diverse agricultural and manufacturing production. Also, rising domestic demand, increasingly skilled workforce along with scientific and technological development, have attracted foreign direct investment. However, bureaucracy, corruption and weak infrastructure remain the biggest obstacles to economic development. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/WQcKZV4NvYc/UPFyRS3pMbI/AAAAAAAAZ8c/u3T8SF0LmB8/s1600/Brazil+Growth+1.png 2.2 Unemployment Rates

In January 2014, unemployment rate in the six major metropolitan areas of Brazil was 7.2%. This was a sharp decline from 8.3% in January 2013. As per reports of IBGE (Brazil Institute of Statistics), this sharp decrease is due to seasonal effects. Many people are hired in the metropolitan areas of Brazil during the holidays. These people lose their jobs once the holiday season is over. During this holiday season Brazil receives a large volume of tourists. This results in a sharp rise in unemployment rates after the holiday season. Brazil has a very high population which is another major cause of its unemployment problem. It has the second highest population, after the United States of America, in the western hemisphere, however, unemployment has been controlled by the government. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pykR0zAsrFY/Us_4k2XamWI/AAAAAAAAdh8/ocKi8pbx_o/s1600/UnemployDec2013.jpg 2.3 Inflation

http://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/screen-shot-2013-04-10-at-3-51-45pm.png?w=1024&h=579 The rate of inflation in Brazil, this often refers to the rate of inflation based on the consumer price index, or CPI for short. The Brazilian CPI shows the change in prices of a standard package of goods and services which Brazilian households purchase for consumption. In order to measure inflation, an assessment is made of how much the CPI has risen in percentage terms over a give period compared to the CPI in a preceding period. If prices have fallen this is called deflation (negative inflation).

2.3 Trade Account (Deficit or Surplus)

Brazil recorded a Current Account deficit of 3.66 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2013. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. http://img.wallstreetcn.com/ckuploadimg/images/screen-shot-2013-01-23-at-9-24-02-am.png

2.4 Quality of Life: Income Distribution

2012 Income Distribution http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hi/educators/images/brazil2.jpg Excessive income inequality is unfair, and undesirable on ethical grounds, and can bring about adverse effects on economic growth, health outcomes, social cohesion, and crime. Brazil's excessive income inequality is associated to regressive public transfers, less equitable distribution of education, and higher wage differentials. 2.5 Human Development Index

http://countryeconomy.com/hdi/brazil The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and income indices used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. It is calculated by deducing the geometric mean of all three of these statistics.

2.6 Environmental Quality

Environmental issues in Brazil include deforestation in the Amazon Basin, illegal wildlife trade, air and water pollution, land degradation and water pollution caused by mining activities, wetland degradation and severe oil spills, among others. The Environmental Performance Index, introduced by Yale university, ranks how well countries perform on high-priority environment issues in particular policy areas. In 2014, Brazil received a rank of 77 out of 178 nations audited. Its indicators audited as illustrated in the table below.

http://epi.yale.edu/epi/country-profile/brazil