This research reviews the economy of Brazil. The review is in the form of a case study. The study methodology involves the review of published materials and the reporting of relevant published economic statistical data. The review of the Brazilian economy does not involve the performance of statistical analysis; however, the review does include the assessment of data presented.
The initial section of the study covers (1) Brazil's geographic setting, (2) the country's social profile, and (3) the governmental form in Brazil. These factors provide the environment within which Brazil's economy develops and functions.
The remaining sections, the bulk of the review, cover various aspects of Brazil's economy. The topics covered include the following: (1) overview of the economy; (2) economic development; (3) industrial structure; (4) trade and investment; (5) infrastructure; (6) economic aggregates; (7) foreign debt; and (8) important industries. The review concludes with an economic outlook for Brazil.
Geographically, Brazil is the largest country in South America, with an area of somewhat more than 8.5 million square kilometers. Brazil occupies almost all of eastern South America, and has borders with Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Maps of Brazil are presented on the following two pages to provide the reader with perspective of Brazil within South America and to illustrate the federal structure of the country by showing the individual states in the union (United States Central Intelligence Agency, 2001).
Brazil is a mountainous country, a characteristic that has in the past, impeded the development of an integrated transportation infrastructure. The absence of an integrated transportation system delayed the early economic development of the country. An extensive and efficient transportation infrastructure exists, however, in contemporary Brazil (Uni...