Some Facts About Brazil
Area: 8,511,965 sq km, slightly smaller than the US, sharing common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
Climate: Mostly tropical, but temperate in south, with recurring droughts in northeast and occasional snow and frost in south.
Population: 186,112,794 (July 2005). 26 % aged 0-14, 68 % aged 15-64, 6 % aged 65 and over.
Language and literacy: Portuguese. 86.4 % of population aged 15 and over can read and write.
Economic overview: Following three centuries as a colony of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has been quickly expanding its presence in world markets; it is now the eleventh world’s largest economy, responsible for about 40% of the GDP of Latin America. The Brazilian economic stability, a solid financial system with floating exchange rate, an inflation-targeting policy and the size of its consumer market makes this nation an outstanding marketplace.
GDP (purchase power parity): US$ 1.492 trillion (2004 est).
Currency & exchange rates: Brazilian Real (BRL). Reals per US$ = 2.30 (2005), 2.93 (2004), 3.01 (2003), 2.92 (2002), 2.36 (2001).
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.50 % (2006 est), 5.59 % (2005), 7.60 (2004).