Font size:
Print
Places in News: Brazil
Context:
The External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 9th India-Brazil Joint Commission with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in New Delhi.
More on news:
- During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations, focusing on cooperation in trade, defence, energy, health, agriculture, space, and technology.
- They also discussed global geopolitical developments, the shared concerns and aspirations of the Global South, and enhancing collaboration in BRICS, IBSA, and G20.
- In his opening remarks, Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s full support for Brazil’s G20 presidency.
About Brazil:
Geography and Size:
- Brazil is the largest country in South America, occupying half of the continent’s landmass.
- It is the fifth largest country in the world, larger than the 48 contiguous U.S. states.
- Brazil has a 4,600-mile (7,400 km) Atlantic coastline and shares inland borders with all South American countries except Chile and Ecuador.
- To the north, it shares borders with Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and the French overseas department of French Guiana.
- To the northwest, it is adjacent to Peru and Bolivia; to the west, it borders Argentina and Paraguay; to the southwest, it meets Uruguay.
Landscapes and Climate:
- Brazil’s diverse landscape includes wetlands, savannas, plateaus, and low mountains.
- The Pampas lowland, located in the south, is a fertile area known for its temperate climate.
- The Amazon River basin, which contains the world’s largest river system and extensive virgin rainforest, is mostly located in Brazil.
- The country does not have desert, high-mountain, or arctic environments.
Major Regions:
- North: Includes the largest portion of the Amazon rainforest and parts of the Guiana and Brazilian highlands.
- Northeast: Known for hot, dry conditions, historic cities, and sugarcane plantations. It accounts for one-fifth of Brazil’s agricultural production.
- Southeast: The economic heartland, housing São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. It has the highest concentration of industrial and agricultural output.
- South: Smallest region, known for its European heritage, strong manufacturing, and agriculture. It includes Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul.
- Central-West: Includes Brasília, vast wetlands, and forested valleys. It is sparsely populated but increasingly settled.
Relief and Physical Features:
- Guiana Highlands: Shared with Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, featuring rugged terrain, mesas, and Brazil’s highest peak, Neblina Peak, Cerro Aconcagua.
- Amazon Lowlands: Dominated by the Amazon River, characterised by floodplains, terra firme hills, and wetlands.
- Pantanal: One of the world’s largest freshwater wetlands, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, known for its rich biodiversity.
- Brazilian Highlands: Cover more than half of Brazil and are rich in minerals. They include steep cliffs, plateaus, and the Serra do Mar along the coast.
- Coastal Lowlands: Narrow but varied, with features like floodplains, swamps, lagoons, and harbours.
River Systems:
- Amazon River: The world’s largest river system, with major tributaries like the Madeira and Negro rivers.
- Paraguay-Paraná-Plata System: Drains large parts of Brazil and neighbouring countries, with hydroelectric dams and reservoirs.
- Tocantins-Araguaia System: Separate from the Amazon, it includes the Tocantins River and the large Bananal Island.
- São Francisco River: Important for hydroelectric power, flowing over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from Minas Gerais to the Atlantic.
