Brazil Flashcards
to learn stuff
How much of the Amazon Basin covers of Brazil?
One-third
What is the basin made up?
Swamps, lowlands, rainforests and floodplains
How many major drainage basins does Brazil have?
8
Name rivers other than the Amazon.
Zingu, Tocantins, and the Sao Francisco.
What influences Brazil’s climate?
The size of the country, wide variations in relief and latitude.
How many climatic zones does Brazil have?
5
What are the three main climate groups?
Equatorial, tropical and semi-arid
Where is the equatorial region located?
Northern and western regions around the Amazon basin.
What is the equatorial daytime and night time temperatures?
Daytime= 32 degrees
Night time= 22 degrees
What type of rainfall occurs in the equatorial region?
Convectional Rainfall
What is the annual precipitation for the equatorial region?
2,000-3,000 mm
What is the humidity for the equatorial region?
90%
Does the equatorial region have clear seasons?
No
How much of Brazil experiences a tropical climate?
90%
What is the monthly average temperatures for the tropical climate?
18 degrees
What is the annual rainfall for the tropical region?
1,500-2,000 mm
Where does relief rainfall occur?
Along the coast, south of Recife mountains trigger relief rainfall.
What influence does the Brazilian Highlands cause?
Causes temperatures to vary between 15 degrees and 30 degrees
Where is the semi-arid area located?
The North-East
This is the hottest part of the country.
What temperatures occur between May and November in the semi-arid region?
38-40 degrees
Which state is the driest?
Paraiba- irregular rains and drought, less than 278 mm
What happens in the Caatinga when it rains?
Low-density ranching
Name 3 soils in Brazil.
Terra Rossa, Alluvial Soils, Latosols
Describe Terra Rossa soils.
- Occur in state of Sao Paulo
- Dark red and plenty of humus
- Excellent soil for growing coffee trees
Describe Alluvial soils.
- Occur in Amazon basin and along edges of other main rivers
- Extremely fertile
Describe Latosols.
- Occur under the tropical rainforests
- Trees provide leaf litter for humus and this makes the soil litter
- Deforestation= leaching and loss of soil fertility
Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country. True or false.
True
What is the capital of Brazil
Brasilia
What is the population of Brazil?
207 million
What fraction of the population is under 30 years?
Two-thirds
What % of the population lives in poverty?
60%, with 40 million people living on less than 1 euro a day
What is the main language?
Portuguese
What is the main religion?
Catholic
How many states and federal districts are there?
26 states and 1 federal district
What are the most prominent geographical features of Brazil?
The Brazilian Highlands, Brazilian Plateau and the basin of the Amazon River
What are Brazil’s main primary economic activities?
Agriculture, Forestry and Mineral Exploitation
What % of farmland is arable?
7%
What are the main crops?
Corn, soya and sugar cane
Brazil and what other country account for half of the global production of soya beans?
Argentina
In 2010, what % of Brazil’s exports were agricultural?
36%
Brazil is a world leader for export of…
Coffee, beef, sugar and oranges
How many years is the cycle of crop rotation?
6 years, between corn, eucalyptus, soya and pasture to preserve soil fertility.
What have Brazilian scientists developed in relation to soya plants?
Modified them to grow in the hot conditions of the savanna regions in the interior of Brazil.
In 2010, how many tonnes of soya was produced?
62 million tonnes
How many hectares are soya farms?
160 hectares, with one person maintaining it due to the farm being highly mechanised.
How many people does sugar cane employ?
900,000 people
What is 50% of the sugar used to produce?
Ethanol- used as an alternative petrol.
Where is 90% of the sugar cane grown?
In South-Central Brazil
What % does Brazil have in the world coffee market?
32%
How many people does the coffee industry provide income for?
10 million people due to it being a labour intensive industry.
In 2010, how much was the coffee industry worth to the economy?
9 billion
Where are the major coffee producing areas?
Found along the south-east coast
How much coffee does Minas Gerais grow?
46% of Brazilian coffee
Where else is coffee grown?
The eastern state of Bahia, where the soil, climate and altitude are ideal.
Name two international companies associated with coffee.
Nestle and Kraft
Name factors needed for coffee growth.
- Temperatures, 15-24 degrees
- Absence of frost
- Deep, well-drained soils, Terra Rossa soils
- Humid conditions + rain, (1,500-2,000mm a year)
- High altitude, over 700m to reduce pests= Brazilian Highlands
How many hectares are needed to make a reasonable income for cattle farming?
1,000 hectares and 600 cows
How many cattle are slaughtered each year?
35 million cattle
What rank is Brazil in international cattle production?
3rd, behind Argentina and Australia.
Where are cattle ranches located?
All across Brazil, however farmers are moving west and clearing forest at a huge environmental cost.
What are the main trees harvested?
Tropical hardwoods, eg. Mahogany, teak
What can be the value of one hardwood tree?
15,000 euro
In 2010 what was the expected value of timber?
2 billion
How many people are employed in the forestry industry?
6 million people
