Regional Geography: Population Distribution in Brazil

Introduction

• Focus on the distribution of the population in Brazil.
• Population is unevenly distributed: areas of high density vs. sparsely populated regions.

Key Regions in Brazil

• Southeast and Northeast Coasts:
  • Over 70% of Brazil's population resides here.
  • High population densities (average > 160 people per sq km).
• Brasilia:
  • Capital city located inland, exception to coastal population concentration.
  • Population: Over 2.4 million.
• Central, Western and Northern Regions:
  • Sparse population (< 10 people per sq km).
  • Largely consists of Amazon rainforest, making it uninhabitable.

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

Physical Factors

• Climate and Rainforest:
  • Harsh dry climate and dense forest areas lead to low habitability.
  • Amazon rainforest prevents development and is a protected area.

Human Factors

• Historical Colonization:
  • Portuguese colonization established major cities along the east coast.
  • Cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo developed from small settlements.
• Economic Factors:
  • Southeast Brazil as an economic core region with higher GDP.
  • Industrial and business opportunities attract migrants.
• Rural to Urban Migration:
  • Driven by push factors (poverty, lack of services) and pull factors (jobs, education).
  • By 2015, 88% of Brazil's population was urban.
• Government Policy:
  • Development of Brasilia to decentralize population.
  • Attracted civil servants, businesses, and migrants.

Climate Impact

• Inhabitable Areas:
  • Tropical and equatorial climates with high humidity and temperature.
  • Presence of insects, diseases, and difficult living conditions.
• Preferred Regions:
  • Cooler tropical climates along the coast offer better living conditions.

Conclusion

• Population distribution in Brazil is influenced by historical, economic, and environmental factors.
• Urbanization continues to shape the demographics, with the majority living in coastal cities.