Brazil is the largest country of South America. The surface of 8'512'000 km2 corresponds to about 48 % of the whole continent. For a size comparison: Germany would have 24 and Switzerland 193 times place therein. Particularly in proximity to the coast and the economically densely populated areas in the south live over 50 % of the 180 Million inhabitants in cities with over one million people.

 

As large as the country is, as large are the contrasts between the poor and the rich. At about 40 % of the people live underneath the poverty line. The Lula government supports 44 millions with food parcels and some cash money. By this, the suffering is relieved, but the recipients do not stop from being poor (Ulrich Achermann, São Paulo: Espace Mittelland of October 6, 2006, page 6). It also needs another form of assistance.

 to top