CHAPTER V. 



BRAZIL— GENERAL SURVEY. 



RAZIL unquestionably takes the foremost position in Latin America, 

 and in extent it ranks as the fifth of the great States of the 

 world, being exceeded only by the British Empire, Russia, China, 

 and the United States.* In superficial area it nearly equals all 

 the Hispano- American republics of South America, and scarcely 

 yields to them in population. 



In its form and general relief Brazil presents a sharp contrast to the Andine 

 States, which are developed in a vast semicircle round her landward frontiers. 

 The plateaux and crests of the uplands belong to an orographic system entirel}^ 

 different from that of the Cordilleras, forming, as it were, a continent within a 

 continent. Between the two stretch the plains watered by the great rivers 

 Amazons and Parana, with their multitudinous ramifications. 



Being intersected by the equator, Brazil also differs from the conterminous 

 regions in its higher temperature and more tropical nature. Only at its southern- 

 most extremity does it penetrate into the temperate zone, which comprises not 

 more than a thirteenth part of the total area. The mean elevation being much 

 lower than that of the Andine States, the climate is proportionately warmer, and 

 all the conditions of its flora, fauna, and inhabitants are correspondingly different. 

 Another contrast is derived from the relatively greater proximity of Brazil to 

 the Old World. The shortest line between Europe and South America lies 

 between Cape St. Vincent and the Brazilian headland of Cape S. Roque, while 

 Pernambuco is nearer to Cadiz than is La Guaira or any other Venezuelan sea- 

 port. 



Geographical Expi.oratiox. 

 The discovery of Brazil has been attributed to a certain Joao Ramalho, who died 

 at San Paulo in 1580, after a pretended residence of ninety years in the country. 



* Comparative extent of the great States of the world in 1893, excluding the Colonial empires, 

 according to Wagner, Supan, and others : — 



Russia, less the inland seas 8,000,000 square miles. 



China with Mongolia, but exclusive of Tibet and Corea . 3,800,000 ,, 



United States with Alaska 3,550,000 ,, 



Dominion of Canada with Labrador and the Archipelagoes 3,116,000 ,, 



Brazil 3,070,000 „ 



