Brazil. Brazil's present population consists of aproximately 185 million people (est 2007) who live in an area of 3,300,000 sq. miles. In 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral landed in eastern Brazil near Porto Seguro, in what is now called Bahia, and claimed the land for Portugal, calling it the "terra of Vera Cruz". At that time, the population of the Tupi-Guarani and other indigenous tribes, is estimated to have been between 1 and 8 million. Brazilwood or "pau brasil", was the first product exported from Brazil to Europe, where it was distributed to Belgium, England, Germany and Italy, for use as a dye to color the clothing of the wealthy, to make ink, cabinets, and in carpentry, industry and boat building. The Indians provided the labor to cut and transport the brazilwood to warehouses to await shipment to Holland, in exchange for trinkets and household goods. The discovery of gold, diamonds, and gemstones in the interior, was followed by the cultivation of sugarcane, coffee, and cocoa. Today Brazil, which is often called the "sleeping giant", is the most industrialized country in South America. Tropical crops, minerals and industrial goods are among the major exports.

Photographs and text by John O'Heron  ©2007