Brazil is one-fifteenth of the habitable world, one-fifth of both Americas, three-sevenths of South America. It is larger than the United States and her territories (leaving out Alaska), and fourteen times as large as France. It has a coast-line of nearly five thousand miles and possesses forty-two seaports, among which are the largest and best of the world. Within these limits are found the unexplored and almost boundless selvas of the great Amazonian basin in the north, a large slice of the rich pampas in the south, and by far the largest of the three great elevated masses that constitute the bulk of the continent, in the center. These table lands, well watered, well timbered and possessing a climate unparalleled in the tropic regions of the earth, represent about four-sevenths of the whole country. As a rule the high plateaus are of exceptional salubrity. These brareas of fertile farming land, rich pastures and almost inexhaustible supplies of timber and minerals are rendered easily accessible through the natural highways furnished by the three great river systems—the Amazon on the north, the La Plata on the south, the San Francisco in the center. The Amazon, among its numerous affluents and tributaries, numbers twenty rivers larger than the Rhine, and it holds in its mouth an island larger than Switzerland, almost as large as England.
The material resources of Brazil are almost incalculable. The range of its productions embraces the products of both the temperate and torrid zones—the cereals, cattle, sheep, horses, cotton, sugar, coffee, rice, rubber, drugs, dye-stuffs, precious metals, iron and other minerals.
The climate of Brazil is varied, and on the whole very favorable. Being on the eastern side of the continent, it is milder and more healthful, even on the coast, than the corresponding latitudes on the west coast of Africa, which lies just opposite, across the South Atlantic ocean. The northern parts are always warm; yet the natives there prefer their own climate to that of even Rio de Janeiro, where the variation is quite sensible, though not very great. The part which lies in the south temperate zone enjoys a delightful climate, will produce the grains, fruits, etc., of the north temperate zone, and is well suited for emigrants from the north of Europe.
The mineral resources of Brazil are unquestionally very great, but so far unimproved to any useful extent, save precious stones and gold. The conditions for sustaining an immense population everywhere abound, when once properly developed and improved.
Brazil was discovered about A. D. 1500, and was soon after taken possession of by the Portuguese, and continued to be a colony of Portugal till 1822, when it was declared independent, under the title of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889 it revolted and became a republic, adopting a constitution and system of government similar to our own. It is divided into twenty States and a neutral district, where its capital, Rio de Janeiro, is situated.
The white population of Brazil is chiefly of Portuguese extraction; and hence the Portuguese element prevails in the institutions of the country, in the customs and habits of the people, and in every department of life. The civilization, though in general less advanced than in the more favored portions of Europe and the United States, is still European.
The language of the country is the Portuguese, a sister language to the Spanish, but clearly a distinct language. It is a beautiful language, and has been appropriately styled the eldest daughter of the Latin. It is compact, expressive, flexible, and well adapted for oratory and literature.
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