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Brazil
A Cultural Region
Brazil
• A large country with much diversity
• Like Canada, Brazilians celebrate this
diversity through its many expressions of
its culture
• Brazil has a number of cultural groups
each exhibiting their own culture, yet all
groups show a blended culture that is
uniquely Brazilian
Brazil - Carnival
• Carnival is the annual
festival in Brazil which
marks the beginning of the
Lent season for Roman
Catholics
• Carnival is the most lavish
festival in all of South
America
• Carnival involves dancing
(samba), parade floats,
and elaborate costumes
• Most spectacular display of
cultural identity; draws
thousands of tourists year
after year
Left: Samba Dancing
In Salvador, bands known as trios
electricos play on the tops of
trucks that parade the streets.
They carry giant amplifiers that
send the dance rhythms into the
massive
crowds
Brazil : Physical Environment
• 5th largest country in the world by area
• 5 different physical regions
• Significant variations in climate and
vegetation
Brazil : Administrative Regions
• Administrative regions are political areas
such as provinces or states
• In 1944, the National Geographic Council
of Brazil separated Brazil into 5
administrative regions each with its own
states.
Brazil : The North
• Contains 42% of Brazil’s land area
• Contains the Amazon Rain Forest
• Least populated and least developed
region
• Home to many of Brazil’s indigenous
population
Brazil : The North-East
• Poorest of Brazil’s region, economically
• Agriculture is the main economic driver
• Coastal lowlands contain rich soil,
however the soil of the interior is not as
fertile
• “Caatinga” main type of vegetation which
grows in the interior. It is a mixture of
cacti, short grasses, thorn bushes and
weeds
Brazil : Centre-West
• Once called “mato – grosso” meaning “thick
forest”
• Region that is developing rapidly
• New capital – Brasilia
• Agriculture is important but it is not the main
economic driver of the region
• New industries such as gold and diamond
mining are emerging
• New business bring a level of diversification of
economy
Brazil - Southeast
• Contains 10% of Brazil’s land area but 48% of its
population
• Most developed region of Brazil
• Accounts of 65% of Brazil’s industrial production
• Biggest cities: Rio de Janiero and Sao Paolo
• Economic activities include: high-tech, auto,
steel, aircraft, computer, rubber, chemical, paper,
engineering, and oil industries as well as
agriculture
Brazil : South
• Smallest & coolest region
• Contains a mostly fair climate, almost
temperate
• Contains Brazil’s most fertile soils. Ideal
for growing a wide variety of crops: coffee,
wheat, potatoes, soybeans, and fruit.