Brazil

Basic Timeline

Second Republic and Democratic Interlude (1946-1964)

Military Government and State-led Industrialization (1964-1985)

New Republic - (1985-present) 1985-1990 Civilian government, new

constitution in 1988.

First Presidential elections since 1960: 1989.

Basic Economics (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate): $1.573 trillion.

GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.977 trillion.

Annual real growth (2008): 5.1%.

Per capita GDP (official exchange rate): $8,300.

Per capita GDP (purchasing power parity): $9,700.

Natural resources: Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gemstones, oil, wood, and aluminum. Brazil has 14% of the world's renewable fresh water.

Agriculture (5.8% of GDP): Products--coffee, soybeans, sugarcane, cocoa, rice, livestock, corn, oranges, cotton, wheat, and tobacco.

Industry (28.7% of GDP): Types--steel, commercial aircraft, chemicals, petrochemicals, footwear, machinery, motors, vehicles, auto parts, consumer durables, cement, and lumber.

Services (65.8% of GDP): Types--mail, telecommunications, banking, energy, commerce, and computing.

Trade: Trade balance (2008)--$24.8 billion surplus. Exports--$197.9 billion. Major markets--United States 14.0%, Argentina 8.9%, and China 8.3%. Imports--$173.1 billion. Major suppliers--United States 14.9%, China 11.6%, and Argentina 7.7%.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35640.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5379016.stm

Income Distribution

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=4&ved=0CBMQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fearthtrends.wri.org%2Ftext%2Feconomics-business%2Fvariable-353.html&ei=kyjfSr-OGYHf8AaJ5bRj&usg=AFQjCNFpcuPsMvYbsQVyoS8d6qXCkV84Vg&sig2=ucYBgi4SKC54yTeEsBvGtw

Income Distribution

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=10&ved=0CCYQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.url.edu.gt%2FPortalURL%2FArchivos%2F56%2FArchivos%2FXV.%2520LA%2520PRESPECTIVA%2520SUDAMERICANA.pdf&ei=kyjfSr-OGYHf8AaJ5bRj&usg=AFQjCNGW6KNDGyRlHf_ADaAr2HZ3STbdAA&sig2=59W_SoMgdJrBWeqfS_VpoA

Social Indicators

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5379016.stm

Lula

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Former metalworker

Came to lead the national Metalworkers' Union in 1975

Helped form the PT (Workers' Party) in 1980

Served jail time due to opposition to military regime.

Ran for presidency 3 times before winning

Currently serving his second term in office.

Mercosur

Full members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Full member pending ratification: Venezuela

Associate members: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Headquarters (secretariat): Montevideo, Uruguay

Combined GDP: US$ 1.1 trillion