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FAMILY AND FRIENDS
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
B
razil is a land of superlatives. It is the largest nation in South America and
the fifth largest in the world in terms of both area and population. While
most of Brazil’s population lives along the Atlantic coast, many indigenous
tribes thrive in the dense jungle just as their ancestors did thousands of
years ago. Its cultures—a mix of indigenous, Portuguese, and African
heritage—bring a vibrancy to daily life in the city streets and rural outposts.
The country is home to the planet’s second largest river, the Ama-
zon, whose rainforest—the largest in the world—carpets 1.4 billion acres
(470 million hectares) of land. The country has so many plants and ani-
mals that it is difficult to count all the species. Scientists are finding new
ones all the time. Brazil is also rich in natural resources, including gold, oil,
and natural gas. Along with the wealth in natural resources, however, come
threats to the country’s environmental riches. In the last 40 years or so, for
instance, nearly 20 percent of the rainforest has been destroyed to make
room for large farms.
Yet, Brazil is a country of immense beauty, a wonder of the world, a
treasure to be cherished.