About Francisco's Country

Encompassing the Amazon River basin, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world in terms of landmass. The country occupies about half of the South American continent. About 90 percent of Brazili read more...ans live on 10 percent of the land, a 200-mile tropical zone bordering the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to indigenous peoples, the country is home to Portuguese, Africans brought to Brazil as slaves and European and Asian groups that have settled there in the last century. The national language is Portuguese. Seventy percent of Brazilians are Catholic. Compassion works mainly in the northeastern and southeastern parts of Brazil. Like many of its South American neighbors, Brazil is struggling to balance the needs of its indigenous people with the desire to industrialize its nation. Originally inhabited by indigenous people, Brazil was claimed by Portugal as a colony in 1500. Portuguese rule lasted until 1822, when the colony declared its independence and established an independent monarchy. The monarchy ruled until 1889, when Brazil became a republic. The new republic adopted a federative system of government, which it still maintains. Since 1995, when Fernando Henrique Cardoso became president, the country has seen a decline in the rate of inflation and has enjoyed sustained economic growth. Though economically ahead of many of its neighbors, Brazil struggles with high unemployment, a debt-ridden economy and rampant poverty.