CH: - 12 (Brazil).

Q1) what do you know about Brazil.

A) Brazil is the 5th largest country according to area. It covers almost half of the area of South America. It
has a common border with 10 countries. Almost 93 % area of Brazil lies between Equator and Tropic of
Capricorn. The Amazon basin located in Brazil is the largest equatorial rainforest area. The total area of
Brazil is 8511970 Square Km.

Q2) Write a note on the population of Brazil.

A) According to 2016 statistics the population of Brazil is 209,567,920 (200 million) persons. Almost 2/3
country’s area is sparsely populated. Densely populated area is located in South Eastern Brazil, while
most of the population lives in a belt of Atlantic Coast which is 300 to 500 Km wide.

These people belong to European, African, Asian and Native races. Most of the population lives in the
cities; the major urban centers are as follows:-

CITY POPULATION (2014), July

Minas Gerais 249,109
Espirito Santo 465,690
Rio De Janeiro 6,453,682
Sao Paulo 1,1895,893

Brazil is the largest country of South America in terms of population.

85% of the people live in South Eastern parts of the country. Population is very sparse in rest of the
country. Amazon forests are very dense and climate is not suitable, absence of means of transportation
has resulted in low population. The western parts of Brazilian highlands are also thinly populated. 68 %
of the population belongs to European races while the rest are mixed race. In 2016, the urban
population of the country was 82.2 % of total population.

Q3) Write a note on Agriculture of Brazil.

A) Numerous kinds of crops are cultivated and there is abundant production of agricultural products.

1) According to 2005 statistics 16 % people were involved in agriculture. Out of which 7% were
prosperous. The area under cultivation in Brazil is 79 % of which 1% is continuously under crop cover.
The pasture covers about 14% of the area.

2) The most common crops cultivated in Brazil are Bananas, Beans, Cassava, oranges, Potatoes, Rice,
Tomatoes, Maize, Soya Beans, Sugarcane, Wheat, Cotton, Cocoa, and Coffee.
3) The major crops are Maize, Coffee, Cotton, Rice, beans, and Sugarcane. The climate of Brazil is very
suitable for the crops. Maize and Rice cover most of the area. Cotton and coffee are cultivated in
proximities of Sao Paulo and capital Brasilia in South Eastern Brazil, Sugarcane is found in North Eastern
coast, which is warm moist area.

4) Tobacco is cultivated in Catalina and Rio Grande Rossel states. The annual production was 857,000
Tonnes (2013). Rubber was planted in Acres, Amazonia, Rou Donia and Para.

5) In 1992 the 2.8 million hectares area was under irrigation. The number of cattle was as follows during
1994.

Q4) Write a note on Minerals in Brazil.

A) There are extensive reserves of minerals in Brazil; the iron ore reserves of Minas Gerais are one of the
largest reserves in the world. There are many other minerals like Bauxite, Gold, Manganese, Nickel,
Phosphate, Platinum, Tin and Uranium. Brazil is the only country that produces commercial quality
quartz crystal.

1) The production was 38148 Tonnes in 1992.

2) Brazil is also sole country of the continent that produces chrome ore. Its production was 94788
Tonnes (1992).

3) The estimates reserves were 14.2 million Tonnes, Graphite (685805 Tonnes), Magnasite (1161200
Tonnes) are important.

4) The other minerals are Manganese ore 3395078 Tonnes (1995), Bauxite 12763150 Tonnes (1992)
Tungsten ore 28767 Tonnes, Lead 334426 Tonnes, Oesbestos 3895805 Tonnes, and Coal 9241099
Tonnes.

5) The coal reserves are found in Rio Grande, Dossal, Mamta, Katarina and Parana. Iron is extended from
Kara Jas (Pala State) that has an estimated reserve ranging 3500 million Tonnes. Tin, Barite, Phosphate
rock, Gold, Silver and Diamonds are also important minerals of Brazil.

Q5) Write a note on Minerals in Brazil.

A) The salient features are following:-

1) The estimate for the Hydel Power in December in 1950 was 255000 mw from which 41 % was from
Amazon Basin.

2) According to 2007 statistics the installed capacity of the country was 73,678 mw was Hydel power.

3) There is a nuclear power plant was 2007 mw in 2007.

A) Mineral Oil:-
1) There are 13 oil refineries in Brazil out of which 11 are in the public sector. The production of crude oil
in the country was 3.36 Million Barrels per day in 2015-16.

2) The state Petroleum company of Brazil (Petro-Bras) is negotiating with 70 foreign companies for joint
venture installation of power plants. The estimates of the Mineral oil during 1997 was 11600 billion
Barrels.

B) Natural Gas:-

1) According to 2015 statistics the production of natural gas of Brazil was 110.4 Million cubic meter.

2) The World Bank has approved the bill of 2 Billion U.S Dollars to spend on a gas pipeline construction.

3) This pipeline will be 3150 kilometers long, which will run through Bolivia and Brazil. It is one of the
greatest projects in Latin America.

Q6) Write a note on Industries of Brazil.

A) The salient features of Industries are following:-

1) The major industries of Brazil include Textile, Shoe making, Chemical Industry, Cement Lumbering,
Mining of Iron Ore, Production of Tin and Steel, Aircraft Building and Auto-mobiles (spare parts and
Machinery).

2) In the state of Rio De Janeiro National iron and Steel corporation is producing a considerable amount
of steel at Volta De Ronda, which makes a major part of the country’s steel production. In 2010, the
production of Iron Ore was 370 Million Tonnes.

3) Like the other countries of the South America, Brazil did not make greater progress in the past,
therefore most of the commodities such as Machineries, Vehicles, and Petroleum etc. have to be
imported from other countries Brazil has laid a special emphasis on the development of its industry and
is on the way to progress at a faster rate than the other countries of South America.

4) At this time, the most important industry is the textile industry. There are many Cotton Textiles
Factories and cloth is exported. The Automobile assembly industry and Engineering Industry is
developing rapidly. Recently, a paper and Pulp Factory has been installed in Parana at Allegri.

Q7) Write a note on Trade of Brazil.

A) Exports:-

The exports of Brazil are Iron ore, Manganese, Coffee, Citrus Juice, Sugar, Tobacco, Cocoa
beans, Transportation Equipment, Machinery, and Cotton. Corn, Rice, and Sugarcane are not exported
rather it meets the needs of local population.

.) Imports:-
 The imports of Brazil are mainly Machinery, Chemical Compounds, Crude Mineral oil, Edibles,
Coal and Coke, Fertilizers, Steel and Cast iron. The main markets for Exports from Brazil are U.S.A.,
Argentina, Netherlands and Germany.

The countries that sell goods to Brazil are U.S.A, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Japan.