Brasilia

The Central West


Since the second half of the 18th century, Brazil's governing authorities considered, with varying degrees of intensity, transferring the seat of government from Rio de Janeiro to some inland area, safe from naval attacks. The first Republican constitution (1891) went as far as defining where the future Federal District would be - a rectangle within the State of Goias, in the heart of the country. But it was not until 1956, after eight years of surveying, that the actual design and construction of the new Capital began under President Juscelino Kubitschek. The site chosen for Brasilia is located in the Federal District and comprises 2,245 sq. miles (5,814 sq. km) of a sparsely inhabited plateau carved out of the State of Goias, 3,609 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level and 746 miles (1,200 km) from Rio de Janeiro. The competition for the urban master plan was won by Brazilian architect and urban planner, Lucio Costa. The major government buildings were designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx planned the layout and selection of plant varieties to add a vivid green backdrop to the otherwise dry, yellow landscape of the savanna vegetation. On April 21, 1960, Brasilia was officially inaugurated and started functioning as the new capital of Brazil. Its population is about 1,750,000 inhabitants.
(Adapted from Brazilian Embassy, Washington, DC)



Images

  • The Senado
  • There is a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow
  • Ministerial Esplanade
  • Metropolitan Cathedral
  • Plan of the City
  • Asa Sul - Southern Sector of the City
  • The Cathedral
  • The Alvorada Palace - the official residence of the President
  • Itamarati Palace - The Foreign Ministry
  • More than 60 Photos
  • A Video Showing Brasilia Additional Information
  • Institutions of Higher Learning
  • General


    Landmarks

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    The Central West & the Pantanal
    Goiás

  • Area : 355,386 sq.km.
  • Population : 5,000,000
  • Capital : Goiânia
  • Mato Grosso

  • Area : 881,001 sq.km.
  • Population : 1,800,000
  • Capital : Cuiabá
  • Mato Grosso do Sul

  • Area : 350,548 sq.km.
  • Population : 1,900,000
  • Capital : Campo Grande
  • This region, covered with extensive savannas and tropical grasslands, is still sparsely populated. Once one of the most isolated areas of the country, this region has experienced a rapid expansion of its rural production and established new industries. The federal government has set aside vast areas as reservations in the west-central region for the native Indian tribes which originally lived on them. Also in this region is the wildlife paradise, the Mato Grosso swamplands ( Pantanal Mato-grossense).

    General Information:


    The States

    Goias , Mato Grosso , Mato Grosso do Sul



    Goiás


    Mato Grosso

    • Area : 881,001 sq.km.
    • Population : 1,800,000
    • Capital : Cuiabá

    General Information

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    Mato Grosso do Sul
    • Area : 350,548 sq.km.
    • Population : 1,900,000
    • Capital : Campo Grande

    Government

    Some of the Sights:

    Additional Information

  • Cities

  • News, Economy, & Culture


    Landmarks

    Please feel free to send me your comments via e-mail. Contribuições Welcomed!!!

    Sergio Koreisha