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AREA HANDBOOK

for

BRAZIL

Coauthors

Thomas E. Weil

Jan Knippers Black
Howard I. Blutstein

Kathyrn Therese Johnston
David S. McMorris

Research completed June 1974

Third Edition

Published 1975

(This handbook supersedes DA Pam 550-20, 1971)

DA Pam 550-20

2508

•BSTS/ 1975

Weil, Thomas E

Area handbook for Brazil.

"DA pam 550-20."

"One of a series of handbooks prepared by Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of the American University."

Issued in 1964 by Foreign Area Studies Division of American University.

Bibliography: p. 405-453.

1. Brazil. I. American University, Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Studies. II. American University, Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Studies Division. Area Handbook for Brazil. III. Title.

[blocks in formation]

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $7.75

Gen. Lib. Depes.11.5. 10-28-75

FOREWORD

This volume is one of a series of handbooks prepared by Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of The American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on objective description of the nation's present society and the kinds of possible or probable changes that might be expected in the future. The handbook seeks to present as full and as balanced an integrated exposition as limitations on space and research time permit. It was compiled from information available in openly published material. An extensive bibliography is provided to permit recourse to other published sources for more detailed information. There has been no attempt to express any specific point of view or to make policy recommendations. The contents of the handbook represent the work of the authors and FAS and do not represent the official view of the United States government.

An effort has been made to make the handbook as comprehensive as possible. It can be expected, however, that the material, interpretations, and conclusions are subject to modification in the light of new information and developments. Such corrections, additions, and suggestions for factual, interpretive, or other change as readers may have will be welcomed for use in future revisions. Comments may be addressed to:

The Director

Foreign Area Studies

The American University

5010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016

PREFACE

Significant developments occurring since its preparation in 1970 underline the desirability of revising the Area Handbook for Brazil. In 1974 the Brazilian economy had expanded to unprecedented levels; development of the Amazon valley was proceeding apace; extension of social services had burgeoned; and political power, after ten years of control of the government by the military, had become highly centralized.

This book supersedes the handbook researched and written by Jan Knippers Black, Kenneth W. Martindale, David S. McMorris, Sally Engle Merry, Frederick P. Munson, and Kathryn E. Parachini under the direction of Thomas E. Weil. It represents an effort to provide a compact and objective exposition and analysis of the dominant social, political, and economic characteristics of Brazilian society. Consultants with firsthand knowledge of the country have provided data not available in printed sources. The authors alone are responsible for the final draft and they thank Roger Abbott who wrote ch. 9, The Governmental System; ch. 16, Public Order and Internal Security; and ch. 17, the Armed Forces.

Portuguese words and phrases, used only when adequate English equivalents are lacking, are defined at first appearance. If employed frequently, they are listed in the Glossary. Portuguese is based on Taylor's A Portuguese-English Dictionary. Unless otherwise stated, tons used in production and commodity figures are metric tons.

The unit of currency is the cruzeiro (Cr$), and the exchange rate is altered by small percentages at frequent intervals in accordance with the government's fiscal policy. Table A lists the official cruzeiro-dollar conversion rates between September 1968 and May 1974.

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