Fri, 07 Sep 2001

Brazil At A Glance

Location: South America Area: 8,547,403 km2 (world's 5th largest country after Russian Federation, Canada, U.S. and China) Population: 170 million (world's 5th largest after China, India, U.S., and Indonesia) Form of government: Federative Republic Capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states and 1 federal district Independence: Sept. 7, 1822 (from Portugal) Official language: Portuguese Religion: Roman Catholic (80%) Climate: Mostly tropical

Economy Currency: Real (R$) Exchange rate: US$1 = R$ 2.50 Exports: US$55,086 billion Imports: US$55,783 billion GDP: US$1 trillion (PPP) GDP per capita : US$5,900 (PPP) Estimated GDP Growth for 2001: 3 % Economy world ranking: Fifth largest economy, after U.S.,

China, Japan and Germany

(source: Council on Foreign

Relations - USA),

Second biggest destination of

FDI among developing countries,

Third biggest destination of

FDI in the world

No. 8 in credit card use Natural resources: Bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel,

phosphates, tin, uranium,

petroleum, hydropower, timber.

Agriculture and livestock Cultivated land in use today : 50 million hectares Land available to be explored : 90 million hectares Pasture land for cattlein use today : 220 million hectares Agricultural resources : Coffee, soybeans,

tobacco, wheat, rice,

corn, sugarcane, cocoa,

citrus fruit, beef, poultry. Brazilian agriculture in world ranking: No.1 Orange juice,

coffee, tobacco,

sugar and commercial

cattle herd

No.2 Soybean producer and

poultry producer

No.3 Beef exporter

No.5 Milk producer

Industry

Manufacturing : aircraft, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, textiles, computer software, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment.

Brazilian industry in world ranking : No.2 Executive jets and helicopter user Analgesic medicine and biscuits consumer Cellular telephone user Motorcycle and refrigerator user Soft drinks consumer

No. 4 Commercial aircraft manufacturer (after Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier)

Freezers and washing machine user

No.5 Music CD consumer

No.7 Automotive user (sedans, jeeps and trucks)

Shoe exporter

Pulp producer

No.9 Car producer

No.12 Paper producer