Demographics and Culture of Brazil Essay Example for Free

Demographics and Culture of Brazil EssayBrazil is currently enjoying the number 5 spot as far as big populations in the world are concerned with 190,010,647 people recorded as of sublime 16, 2007 (C.I.A., 2007, par. 7). Documents show that the population has grown steadily in the years with only 85,240,000 Brazilians in 1967 to 141,452,000 in 1987 (Lahmeyer, 2003, p. 1).This clearly illustrates that in just forty years, the population of Brazil has already doubled its number of natives. With a undercoat area of 8,456,510 square kilometers, Brazil has around 58.2 people per square mile. It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 81% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001, up from 66% in 1980 (Brazil Population, 2007, par. 2). The following are more details on the current population of BrazilPopulation growth rate 1.008% (2007 est.) induce rate 16.3 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)Death rate 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)Sex ratio at birth 1 .05 male(s)/ womanlyunder 15 years 1.04 male(s)/female person15-64 years 0.983 male(s)/female65 years and over 0.697 male(s)/femaletotal population 0.976 male(s)/female (2007 est.)Age structure 0-14 years 25.3% (male 24,554,254/female 23,613,027)15-64 years 68.4% (male 64,437,140/female 65,523,447)65 years and over 6.3% (male 4,880,562/female 7,002,217) (2007 est.)Median age total 28.6 yearsmale 27.9 yearsfemale 29.4 years (2007 est.)*Source C.I.A. The World circumstance Book 2007Brazils culture is very much influenced by their Portuguese invaders who have ruled the lands for three centuries. It was only in 1822 when Brazil in conclusion became a nation. Although Brazil is a democratic country, education, health, safety (physical and juridical) are deficient in Brazil (Brazil Travel, n.d., par. 1).Brazil is the leading economic power and regional attractor in South America yet uneven distribution of income is a pressing problem (C.I.A.). Its economic strength is depend ent on its mining, agricultural and manufacturing industries. iodine of Brazils cultural attractions is the Carnaval or Mar de Gras which is annually celebrated at Rio de Janeiro. The origins of this celebration dates back to the ancient Greek festival in sinlessness of Dionysus which the Romans soon adopted for the Roman God Bacchus as the feast of Saturnalia (World Music Productions, 2007, par. 1). Back then they celebrated it by making slaves and their masters switch over clothes while drinking wine for the whole day.Saturnalia was converted by Roman Catholics into a festival leading up to Ash Wednesday or before the 40 days of sacrifices prior to Easter. It became known as Carne Vale which literally means farewell to the flesh and is a fiesta filled with all known sin the Brazilians could think of. Carnaval, as spelled in Portuguese, is a 4-day celebration. It starts on Saturday, and ends on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi-Gras. (All About Rio, 2007, par. 1).One of the study issues th at had put a spotlight on Brazil in the recent years is regarding its environment. The very rich Amazon forest is the habitat of many endangered species and it plays a major role in the weather cycle of the world. If it continues to be cut down, global warming will greatly be affected because the Amazon Forest is peerless of the worlds best source of rain. Other problems include illegal wildlife trade, air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and other cities, improper mining activities, wetland abasement and severe oil spills (C.I.A., par. 7).ReferencesAll About Rio. (2007). Ipanema.com. Retrieved August 31, 2007 from http//www.ipanema.com/carnival/Brazil Population. (2007). Brazil Population. Retrieved August 31, 2007 from http//www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Brazil.htmlC.I.A. (2007). The World Fact Book. Retrieved August 31, 2007 from https//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.htmlIntroLahmeyer, J. (2003). Brazil. Retrieved August 31, 2 007 from http//www.populstat.info/Americas/brazilc.htmWorld Music Productions. (2007). History of Carnival in Brazil. Retrieved August 31, 2007 from http//www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/33/