90% of the population of Brazil is concentrated around the coasts. The majority of Brazil's 10 million inhabitants are city dwellers mainly residing in the southwestern temperate regions. The city of Sao Paulo contains 5 million alone. Man made lines divide the country into 26 states. Its climate varies from tropical to temperate. Brazil is a country of green, with abundant plant life.
A non productive slave state was perpetuated until 1888 when slavery was abolished. Largely due to wide spread changes to the economic and societal brought by abolition, a military coup seized power in 1889. The first Brazilian Republic lasted until 1930 with the collapse of sugar and old world trading systems the republic fell to dictator Getulio Vargas. A fascistic rule lasted till 1945 where in the interim Brazil assisted the allies in World War 2. Again in 1945 the government seized by the military Vargas was expelled. This new Liberal -democratic class ruled until the communist party was outlawed and this time by election Vargas returns as President. Due to speculation of corruption and pressure from the ever present and powerful military and press campaigns Vargas commits suicide in 1954 before the generals could seize power. Three presidents reigned from Vargas's end until economically shaky times in 1964 led the left wing generals to seized control of the country one more time. This reign lasted longer than the other military states and actually though the late sixties and early seventies marked a period of economic development. Though slow process rather than the previous models of quick change, democratic procedures arose. Not Until 1984 did the Military rule officially end with the election of Tancredo Neves. Modern Brazilian Politics remain stable although frequently officials fall under speculation of corruption. Since '84 a federal republic has existed consisting of 26 states and the federal district of Brasilia.
Eclectic people populate the areas of Brazil. Much of the population is mulatto or of mixed racial dissent. In northeastern territories there are many African dissidents from slave days and with them strong African cultural bonds in spirituality and music. European blood of the early settlers influences culture with western tradition. Indigenous peoples still exist although now yet they only represent 2% of the population with most living in the forested western areas. Many of their ways were assimilated to mainstream Brazilian culture. In effect Brazilian culture in all contains all these influences to provide a rich and thick cultural stew.
Modern Brazil as the Brazil of the past shows a great difference between class. The richest 10% receive 50% of the national income. The class stratification is linked to the racial differences of the country. The elite tend to be white while the poorest are black.
Music is a part of Brazil's cultural sphere. Crossed ethnic lines bring out music that is varied and crucial to Brazilian identity. It is colorful and rhythmic, African and Latino, bound with history and sophistication. With the music, dance is wed. The music is accented with the poetic language of Portuguese, possibly described to those not familiar with its sound as having the subtlety of French with the rhythm of Spanish.
Seemingly amazing from a bystanders view is the amount of cohesion of people in a land with such a complex history and ethnic recipe. Stratification and differences abound, a common thread pronounces peoples relations. Celebrations such as Carnival the world sees Brazilians as social people. From a distance imagine Brazil as colors all mixed together but the mix still vivid.
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