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Brazil Historical and Political Profile








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Brazil Index

  • Brazil-Brazil and International Conflicts, 1917-95
  • Brazil-Women in Politics
  • Brazil-State and Local Governments
  • Brazil-The Political Party System
  • Brazil-The Second Empire, 1840-89 The Regency Era, 1831-40
  • Brazil-The Presidential Election of 1989 Elections
  • Brazil-Growth of Social and Environmental Movements Conflict and Nonviolence
  • Brazil-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
  • Brazil-The Physical Setting
  • Brazil-The Services Sector Nuclear Power
  • Brazil-Brazil's Real Plan
  • Brazil-Civil-Military Relations, 1985-94
  • Brazil-The Military Republic, 1964-85
  • Brazil-Trade Patterns and Regional Economic Integration
  • Brazil-Defense Expenditures
  • Brazil-Organization of the Armed Forces
  • Brazil-The 1981-84 Period
  • Brazil-Transportation and Communications
  • Brazil-Cardoso's Presidency, 1995
  • Brazil-Multilateral Relations Foreign Policy Decision Making
  • Brazil-Cultural Unity and Diversity
  • Brazil-Rural Groups
  • Brazil-Missile Programs
  • Brazil-Mass Communications Language
  • Brazil-The Elderly Youth
  • Brazil-Social Security Public Health and Welfare
  • Brazil-Economic Outlook
  • Brazil-Emperor Pedro I, 1822-31 The Empire, 1822-89
  • Brazil-Fiscal Trends in the 1980s Fiscal and Monetary Policy, the Public Sector, and Inflation
  • Brazil-Table A - Selected Acronyms and Abbreviations
  • Brazil-The Post-Vargas Republic, 1954-64
  • Brazil-Science and Technology as Modernization, 1945-64 The Search for Alternatives
  • Brazil-Brazil
  • Brazil-Ranks, Uniforms, and Insignia Conscription
  • Brazil-Democratic Labor Party
  • Brazil-Literacy Education
  • Brazil-The Legislature
  • Brazil-National Security
  • Brazil-Family and Kinship
  • Brazil-Religion
  • Brazil-Federal Police Security Forces
  • Brazil-Migration and Urbanization
  • Brazil-Social Structure
  • Brazil-Country
  • Brazil-Geography
  • Brazil-Employment and Earnings
  • Brazil-Penal Institutions
  • Brazil-Toward the Future
  • Brazil-Minor Parties in Congress
  • Brazil-The Environment Center-West
  • Brazil-Nuclear Programs
  • Brazil-Society
  • Brazil-Airports
  • Brazil-The 1990-94 Period
  • Brazil-The Labor Force and Income Levels
  • Brazil-The Judiciary
  • Brazil-The Era of Getúlio Vargas, 1930-54
  • Brazil-Preface
  • Brazil-Fishing Livestock
  • Brazil-Housing Sanitation and Public Utilities
  • Brazil-Energy
  • Brazil-The Colonial Era, 1500-1815
  • Brazil-The Indigenous Population
  • Brazil-Amerindians Race and Ethnicity
  • Brazil-Principal Research Libraries
  • Brazil-Social Conflict and Participation
  • Brazil-Population Size and Distribution Population
  • Brazil-Mining Industry
  • Brazil-Science for Industrial Competitiveness
  • Brazil-The Computer Industry Policy
  • Brazil-Africa The Middle East
  • Brazil-Chapter 1 - Historical Setting
  • Brazil-Party of National Reconstruction
  • Brazil-General Elections, 1994
  • Brazil-University Research and Graduate Education Research and Development
  • Brazil-Chapter 5 - National Security
  • Brazil-Inland Waterways
  • Brazil-Women in the Armed Forces Officer Recruitment
  • Brazil-Indicators of Health Health Status and Health Care
  • Brazil-Stagnation, Inflation, and Crisis, 1981-94 Growth with Debt, 1974-80
  • Brazil-Applied Science in Agriculture and Health Imperial Science
  • Brazil-Telecommunications
  • Brazil-Other Activities by the Federal Government The Coordination of High-Level Personnel Training
  • Brazil-Air Force
  • Brazil-Personnel and Training
  • Brazil-Agriculture Structure of Production
  • Brazil-Colleges and Universities Primary and Secondary Schools
  • Brazil-The Foreign Service Foreign Relations
  • Brazil-Railroads
  • Brazil-The Brazilian Way
  • Brazil-Constitutional Framework
  • Brazil-Brazilian Communist Party
  • Brazil-Franco's Presidency, 1992-94 Collor de Mello's Presidency, 1990-92
  • Brazil-The Internal Security Mission, 1964-85 From Moderator to Director, 1930-85
  • Brazil-Liberal Front Party
  • Brazil-The Lobbying Process Interest Groups
  • Brazil-Acknowledgments
  • Brazil-Soils and Vegetation
  • Brazil-Government and Politics
  • Brazil-Chapter 6 - Science and Technology
  • Brazil-Colonial Science Historical Evolution
  • Brazil-Exchange-Rate and Balance of Payments Policies
  • Brazil-Privatization
  • Brazil-Interest Group Politics
  • Brazil-Municipal Elections, 1996
  • Brazil-Foreword
  • Brazil-Europe Latin America
  • Brazil-Education and Training
  • Brazil-Early Colonization
  • Brazil-Stagnation and Spectacular Growth, 1962-80 Import-Substitution Industrialization, 1945-64
  • Brazil-Inequality and Poverty Earnings
  • Brazil-Army Command and Control
  • Brazil-Defense Industries
  • Brazil-Mission of the Armed Forces
  • Brazil-Table B - Chronology of Important Events
  • Brazil-Stagnation, 1962-67
  • Brazil-Civic Action The Military Role in Counter-Drug Actions
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Trade Policies
  • Brazil-Gold Mining Displaces Cane Farming French and Dutch Incursions
  • Brazil-The Ministry of Science and Technology Administration of Science and Technology
  • Brazil-Early History The Military Role in Society and Government
  • Brazil-The Electoral System
  • Brazil-Crime and Punishment
  • Brazil-State Police
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-United States Asia
  • Brazil-Foreign Military Influence
  • Brazil-The Military Role in the Intelligence Services
  • Brazil-Technological Research in the Private Sector Research in State-Owned Corporations
  • Brazil-Chapter 3 - The Economy
  • Brazil-Historical Background and Economic Growth
  • Brazil-Capital Flows and the External Debt Exchange Rates and Foreign Trade
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-The Strategic Affairs Secretariat, 1990-94 The National Intelligence Service, 1964-90
  • Brazil-The Military in the Amazon The Military Mission since 1988
  • Brazil
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Sociology of the Officer Corps
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-The São Paulo Science and Technology System Science and Technology in the States
  • Brazil-Major Parties in Congress Historical Origins and Evolution
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Fertility Mortality
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-The Funding Authority for Studies and Projects National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Party Legislation Regional Strength of the Parties
  • Brazil-Country Profile
  • Brazil-Gender Social Classes
  • Brazil-The Kingdom of Portugal and Brazil, 1815-21
  • Brazil-The Transition to Kingdom Status
  • Brazil-North
  • Brazil-Brazilian Social Democracy Party
  • Brazil-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Political Culture
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-The Economy at Independence, 1822 The Eighteenth-Century Gold Rush
  • Brazil-Navy
  • Brazil-Other Religions Roman Catholicism
  • Brazil-The Colonial Period
  • Brazil-The Executive Structure of Government
  • Brazil-Geographic Regions Climate
  • Brazil-A Period of Sweeping Change, 1930-45 The Coffee Economy, 1840-1930
  • Brazil-The Space Program
  • Brazil-Progressive Renewal Party
  • Brazil-Inclusion and Exclusion
  • Brazil-Municipal Elections, 1992 Congressional and State Elections, 1990
  • Brazil-Southeast
  • Brazil-Frontier Expansion That Shaped Brazil
  • Brazil-The Media
  • Brazil-Policy Perspectives Centers of Excellence
  • Brazil
  • Brazil-Petroleum
    • BackgroundFollowing more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.
    LocationEastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
    Area(sq km)total: 8,514,877 sq km
    land: 8,459,417 sq km
    water: 55,460 sq km
    note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo
    Geographic coordinates10 00 S, 55 00 W
    Land boundaries(km)total: 16,885 km
    border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
    Coastline(km)7,491 km
    Climatemostly tropical, but temperate in south
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
    Natural resourcesbauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
    Land use(%)arable land: 6.93%
    permanent crops: 0.89%
    other: 92.18% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)29,200 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)8,233 cu km (2000)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)
    per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardsrecurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
    Environment - current issuesdeforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - notelargest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
    Population198,739,269
    note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244)
    15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725)
    65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 28.6 years
    male: 27.8 years
    female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)1.199% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 86% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 71.99 years
    male: 68.43 years
    female: 75.73 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Brazilian(s)
    adjective: Brazilian
    Ethnic groups(%)white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
    Religions(%)Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census)
    Languages(%)Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
    Country nameconventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
    conventional short form: Brazil
    local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil
    local short form: Brasil
    Government typefederal republic
    Capitalname: Brasilia
    geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W
    time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February
    note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands
    Administrative divisions26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
    Constitution5-Oct-88
    Legal systembased on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
    Suffragevoluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote
    Executive branchchief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
    head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003)
    cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
    elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010)
    election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17%
    Legislative branchbicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
    elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010)
    election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1
    Judicial branchSupreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70
    Political pressure groups and leadersLandless Workers' Movement or MST
    other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church
    International organization participationAfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptiongreen with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
    Economy - overviewCharacterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$1.998 trillion (2008 est.)
    $1.901 trillion (2007 est.)
    $1.798 trillion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$1.573 trillion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)5.1% (2008 est.)
    5.7% (2007 est.)
    4% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$10,200 (2008 est.)
    $9,800 (2007 est.)
    $9,400 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 6.7%
    industry: 28%
    services: 65.3% (2008 est.)
    Labor force93.65 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 20%
    industry: 14%
    services: 66% (2003 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)7.9% (2008 est.)
    9.3% (2007 est.)
    Population below poverty line(%)31% (2005)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: 1.1%
    highest 10%: 43% (2007)
    Distribution of family income - Gini index56.7 (2005)
    60.7 (1998)
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)19% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: NA
    expenditures: NA
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)5.7% (2008 est.)
    3.6% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$95.03 billion (31 December 2008)
    $131.1 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$724.5 billion (31 December 2008)
    $792.8 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$1.249 trillion (31 December 2008)
    $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$589.4 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007)
    $711.1 billion (31 December 2006)
    Economic aid - recipient$191.9 million (2005)
    Public debt(% of GDP)38.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
    52% of GDP (2004 est.)
    Agriculture - productscoffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
    Industriestextiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
    Industrial production growth rate(%)4.3% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance-$28.19 billion (2008 est.)
    $1.551 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$197.9 billion (2008 est.)
    $160.6 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
    Exports - partners(%)US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008)
    Imports$173.1 billion (2008 est.)
    $120.6 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics
    Imports - partners(%)US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$262.9 billion (31 December 2008)
    $240.5 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$294 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesreals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004)
    Currency (code)real (BRL)
    Telephones - main lines in use41.141 million (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular150.641 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons
    domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years
    international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008)
    Internet country code.br
    Internet users64.948 million (2008)
    Airports4,000 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 1,751,868 km
    paved: 96,353 km
    unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
    Ports and terminalsGuaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao
    Military branchesBrazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 52,523,552
    females age 16-49: 52,628,945 (2009 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 38,043,555
    females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 1,690,031
    female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)2.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
    Disputes - internationalunruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute
    Electricity - production(kWh)438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 8.3%
    hydro: 82.7%
    nuclear: 4.4%
    other: 4.6% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.6% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS730,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths15,000 (2007 est.)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 88.6%
    male: 88.4%
    female: 88.8% (2004 est.)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years)total: 14 years
    male: 14 years
    female: 15 years (2005)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)4% of GDP (2004)
    BackgroundFollowing more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.
    LocationEastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
    Area(sq km)total: 8,514,877 sq km
    land: 8,459,417 sq km
    water: 55,460 sq km
    note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo
    Geographic coordinates10 00 S, 55 00 W
    Land boundaries(km)total: 16,885 km
    border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km
    Coastline(km)7,491 km
    Climatemostly tropical, but temperate in south
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m
    Natural resourcesbauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
    Land use(%)arable land: 6.93%
    permanent crops: 0.89%
    other: 92.18% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)29,200 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)8,233 cu km (2000)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)
    per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardsrecurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
    Environment - current issuesdeforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - notelargest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador
    Population198,739,269
    note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244)
    15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725)
    65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 28.6 years
    male: 27.8 years
    female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)1.199% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 86% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 71.99 years
    male: 68.43 years
    female: 75.73 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Brazilian(s)
    adjective: Brazilian
    Ethnic groups(%)white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
    Religions(%)Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census)
    Languages(%)Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
    Country nameconventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil
    conventional short form: Brazil
    local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil
    local short form: Brasil
    Government typefederal republic
    Capitalname: Brasilia
    geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W
    time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February
    note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands
    Administrative divisions26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins
    Constitution5-Oct-88
    Legal systembased on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
    Suffragevoluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote
    Executive branchchief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
    head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR Gomes da Silva (since 1 January 2003)
    cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
    elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010)
    election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17%
    Legislative branchbicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
    elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010)
    election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1
    Judicial branchSupreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70
    Political pressure groups and leadersLandless Workers' Movement or MST
    other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church
    International organization participationAfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptiongreen with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
    Economy - overviewCharacterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$1.998 trillion (2008 est.)
    $1.901 trillion (2007 est.)
    $1.798 trillion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$1.573 trillion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)5.1% (2008 est.)
    5.7% (2007 est.)
    4% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$10,200 (2008 est.)
    $9,800 (2007 est.)
    $9,400 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 6.7%
    industry: 28%
    services: 65.3% (2008 est.)
    Labor force93.65 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 20%
    industry: 14%
    services: 66% (2003 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)7.9% (2008 est.)
    9.3% (2007 est.)
    Population below poverty line(%)31% (2005)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: 1.1%
    highest 10%: 43% (2007)
    Distribution of family income - Gini index56.7 (2005)
    60.7 (1998)
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)19% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: NA
    expenditures: NA
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)5.7% (2008 est.)
    3.6% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$95.03 billion (31 December 2008)
    $131.1 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$724.5 billion (31 December 2008)
    $792.8 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$1.249 trillion (31 December 2008)
    $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$589.4 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007)
    $711.1 billion (31 December 2006)
    Economic aid - recipient$191.9 million (2005)
    Public debt(% of GDP)38.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
    52% of GDP (2004 est.)
    Agriculture - productscoffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef
    Industriestextiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment
    Industrial production growth rate(%)4.3% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance-$28.19 billion (2008 est.)
    $1.551 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$197.9 billion (2008 est.)
    $160.6 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos
    Exports - partners(%)US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008)
    Imports$173.1 billion (2008 est.)
    $120.6 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics
    Imports - partners(%)US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$262.9 billion (31 December 2008)
    $240.5 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$294 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesreals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004)
    Currency (code)real (BRL)
    Telephones - main lines in use41.141 million (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular150.641 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons
    domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years
    international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008)
    Internet country code.br
    Internet users64.948 million (2008)
    Airports4,000 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 1,751,868 km
    paved: 96,353 km
    unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)
    Ports and terminalsGuaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao
    Military branchesBrazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 52,523,552
    females age 16-49: 52,628,945 (2009 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 38,043,555
    females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 1,690,031
    female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)2.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
    Disputes - internationalunruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute
    Electricity - production(kWh)438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 8.3%
    hydro: 82.7%
    nuclear: 4.4%
    other: 4.6% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.6% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS730,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths15,000 (2007 est.)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 88.6%
    male: 88.4%
    female: 88.8% (2004 est.)
    School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years)total: 14 years
    male: 14 years
    female: 15 years (2005)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)4% of GDP (2004)








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