Brazil country profile
[1] Brazil is South America’s most influential country, an emerging economic power, and one of the
world’s largest democracies.
Over the past few years it has made major strides in its efforts to raise millions out of poverty.
The discovery of major offshore oil reserves could propel the country into the top league of oil
[5] exporting nations.
The exploitation of the Amazon rainforest, much of which is in Brazil, has been a major international
worry, since the wilderness is a vital regulator of the climate. It is also an important reservoir of plant and
animal life.
A drive to move settlers to the Amazon region
[10] during military rule in the 1970s caused considerable
damage to vast areas of rainforest.
Deforestation by loggers and cattle ranchers
remains controversial, but government-sponsored
migration programmes have been halted.
[15] In 2005 the government reported that one fifth
of the Amazon forests had been cleared by
deforestation
Deforestation has been slowed down by extra
policing and pressure from environmental and
[20] consumer groups. The government has fined illegal cattle ranchers and loggers, while the food industries
have banned products from illegally deforested areas, such as soya beans and beef.
At a glance
• Economy: Brazil has Latin America’s largest economy; there has been steady growth.
• International: Brazil wants a permanent seat at the UN Security Council; relations with Bolivia
[25] suffered in 2006 over access to Bolivian gas.
Officials estimate that deforestation in 2010 fell to 5,000 sq km for the year, down from 7,000 sq km
the year before and a peak of 27,000 sq km in 2004.
Brazil’s natural resources, particularly iron ore, are highly prized by major manufacturing nations,
including China. Thanks to the development of offshore fields, the nation has become self-sufficient in oil,
[30] ending decades of dependence on foreign producers. [...]
Disponível em: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19359112. Acesso em: 10 set. 2016. Adaptado.
Na oração “The discovery of major offshore oil reserves could propel the country into the top league of oilexporting nations.” (linhas 4-5), a classe gramatical de “oil” é:
