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UNTIL THE MID-1960s more Brazilians lived in the countryside than in
towns. But since then, the lure of jobs has drawn workers to the larger cities,
swelling them in size. Today, more than 80 percent of Brazil’s people live in
urban areas, and one-third live in cities having more than 1 million inhabi-
tants. Many of Brazil’s larger cities have extensive slums whose residents
lack access to clean water, electricity, and health care, compounding the
problems of poverty, hunger, and disease. Homelessness—especially among
children and young teens—is also a major social problem, particularly in São
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In Brazil, the population density varies greatly by region. The most
densely peopled states are Rio de Janeiro, the Federal District, and São Paulo.
The least populous state is the interior region of Amazonas. About 80 percent
Brazil’s Colorful,
Crowded Cities
(Opposite) The statue of Christ the
Redeemer, one of Brazil’s most
famous landmarks, looms over Rio de
Janeiro atop Corcovado Mountain. The
statue is 125 feet (38 meters) tall.
(Right) The skyline of São Paulo,
Brazil’s largest city, which is home to
nearly 12 million people. An additional
8 million Brazilians live in the suburbs
around São Paulo.
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