International organization participation:
AfDB, BIS, CAN (associate), CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur,
MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,
UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto P. ABDENUR chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife
Flag description:
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue
celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state
and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night
sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the
motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
Economy Brazil
Economy - overview:
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining,
manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that
of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence
in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages fell and Brazil's economy
grew, on average only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a
series of domestic and international economic shocks. That Brazil
absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the
resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in
place by former President CARDOSO and strengthened by President LULA
DA SILVA. In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded
increases in employment and real wages. The three pillars of the
economic program are a floating exchange rate, an
inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced
by a series of IMF programs. The currency depreciated sharply in
2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account
adjustment; in 2003 to 2005, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and
recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992.
Productivity gains - particularly in agriculture - also contributed
to the surge in exports, and Brazil in 2005 surpassed the previous
year's record export level. While economic management has been good,
there remain important economic vulnerabilities. The most
significant are debt-related: the government's largely domestic debt
increased steadily from 1994 to 2003 - straining government finances
- before falling as a percentage of GDP in 2005, while Brazil's
foreign debt (a mix of private and public debt) is large in relation
to Brazil's small (but growing) export base. Another challenge is
maintaining economic growth over a period of time to generate
employment and make the government debt burden more manageable.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.536 trillion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$619.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,300 (2005 est.)