Rather than a picturesque view of Brazil, or a deseription of its famed natural phenomena, this book provides an ungamnished portrayal of a dynamic country tackling many problems and inegqualities inherited from the past while rallying its forces and modernizing to take its place among the great nations of the next millennium. The country is almost a continent, with an arca of over 8.5 million square kilometers and one of the planets most varied range of ecosystems. Ies shores washed by the Atlantic, Brazil boasts an extensive network of rivers, rich flora, and abundant and extremely diversified fauna as well as some of the world's largest mineral reserves. Our people, after several waves of immigration, come from many different echnic backgrounds, and chis commingling has contributed to the formation of our national identity. Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, and Asians live and work together in harmony, building a modern and cosmopolitan councry. Brazil has a new awareness of its role, with universities, research centers, and modern industry throughout the country, and is braced for a great leap into the future. Yet chere is room for our oldest cultural survivals to coexist wich the traditions of all the peoples that have chosen this country to live and work in, where they may become prosperous and raise their children. “This is che Brazil shown in this book: a country of great natural beauty, young, vibrant, full of potential and opportunity; a homeland for all the peoples.
Publishing PREMIO EDITORIAL Published with the support of the Ministry or FOREIIGN RELATIONs




Over the last few years, Brazil has gone through more profound change than ever before in its history. The origins and development of this process have been analyzed by economists, sociologists, political scientists, and all those concerned with the future of Brazil. Irrespective of differing perspectives and approaches underlying these analyses, one thing is quite clear: the country has certainly changed a great deal — and it has been a change for the better. Poised on the threshold of the new century, Brazil's credentials are its diversified manufacturing industry, increasingly efficient agriculture, and dynamic and sophisticated service structure. Above all, thís country can rely on the vitality and creativity of its people. Their diversity and integration, their tolerance and mutual respect constitute the greatest assets of the Brazilian nation. To grasp this point, it is essential to go beyond the superficial impressions that are sometimes posed in relation to the country and refrain from approaches which focus on the exotic. What is crucial is to look at the underlying cultural and historical values which have been formative for Brazilian identity. These values are to be found illuminating our language and customs, our cityscapes, and our

‚involvement with nature; they may be discerned in our forms of social organization

and coexistence, in our creative works, and in the achievernents of our enterprise. This publication will fulfill its aim if ic leads to a clearer understanding of Brazil. Our country has learned to face up to its problems and is confidently advancing as a society that is powered by the spirit of democracy and by its determination to strive for a better future.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso President of Brazil