PEOPLE
With its estimated 186 million inhabitants, Brazil has the largest population in Latin America and ranks fifth in the world. The majority of people live in the south-central area, which includes the industrial cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Urban growth has been rapid; by 2005, 81% of the total population was living in urban areas. This growth has aided economic development but also has created serious social, security, environmental, and political problems for major cities.
Six
major groups make up the Brazilian population: the Portuguese,
who colonized Brazil in the 16th century; Africans brought to
Brazil as slaves; various other European, Middle Eastern, and
Asian immigrant groups who have settled in Brazil since the mid-19th
century; and indigenous peoples of Tupi and Guarani language stock.
Intermarriage between the Portuguese and indigenous people or
slaves was common. Although the major European ethnic stock of
Brazil was originally Portuguese, subsequent waves of immigration
have contributed to a diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.
Nationality: Brazilian.
Population (2007 est.): 188 million.
Annual growth rate: 1.1%.
Ethnic groups: Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Arab, African, and indigenous people.
Religion: Roman Catholic (74%).
Language: Portuguese.
Education: Literacy--86% of adult population.
Health: Infant mortality rate--27.5/1,000. Life expectancy--71.3 yrs.
Work force: 96.3 million.
