Distribution and population density in Brazil

Source 1: David Waugh, The new wilder world, 1998

"In 1996 the average population density for Brazil was 19.3 per km² (i.e.163 976 000 inhabitants in 8 511 970 km²) The region of São Paulo and Belo Horizonte has a reliable water supply and a range of natural resources. Salvador and, later, Rio de Janeiro were the country's first two capital cities. Both had good natural harbours, which encouraged trade, immigration, industry and more recently tourism [...] The rich soils around São Paulo were ideal for the growing of coffee. Later the presence of nearby minerals, such as iron ore, and energy supplies allowed the city to develop into a major industrial center. The south-east region has the best transport system in Brazil, the greatest number of services, and has benefited most from government help.

Population density decreases with distance from the coast. This is because places further inland have fewer natural resources and cannot support as many people. [...]

Brasilia exists only because in 1960 the Brazilian government chose this virtually uninhabited area as the site for the new federal capital. It was chosen in an attempt to spread out Brazilian's population more evenly. Today Brasilia has a population of 1.6 million."

Source 2: Population density in Brazil

David Waugh, The new wilder world, 1998

Vocabulary

Inhabitant # uninhabited

Population density

Even # uneven

Water or energy supply

Glossary

Iron ore: rock or soil from which iron can be obtained