Reported in a press release by the Embassy of Brazil in London, bids will start for the ability to explore for gas and oil in Brazil. A presentation will be hosted by The Embassy of Brazil in London and the Brazilian National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) at the end of September. Bids will not happen until the end of November during the Brazil Round 9. It will offer 98,000 square kilometers in proven, unexplored, and high potential sectors.
Gas and oil have proven critical for Brazil's economy. In the last ten years, gas and oil have tripled in the country's GDP from 3% to 10%. Reports on last year has stated that the country shipped 12.2 billion barrels of oil in 2006. The new expansion of exploration and potential drilling will only increase the flow of not only oil, but for money as well.
Information found at Embassy of Brazil in London
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Catholic Church In Danger?
Brazil is the largest Catholic nation in the world, sporting upwards to 125 million followers. But in recent years the population has begun to drop. In just the last 20 years the Catholic Church has lost 12% of its participants. This was due to the growing popularity of Pentecostal churches who now boast over 20 million members.
In an article posted by the BBC, Leonardo Boff, a leading voice for the Liberation Theology, said this about the Church's decline. "So many people leave and look for other churches, which have more populist language, and they are more welcoming and they allow for a sacred experience, an experience of God which is easier and more immediate." He later goes on to blame the rigid dogma and the Church's inability to integrate Latin America more with Rome.
The Pentecostal churches have promoted a self-improvement message that has grown on the younger generation. They have continued to develope despite recent flurries of controversy including some of the church founders caught smuggling money inside Bibles. The Pope has stated worries. This in the eyes that their rivals have gained more political clout and media power. Will the Roman Catholic Church continue to recede power to its rivals or regain its stability? Time will tell.
In an article posted by the BBC, Leonardo Boff, a leading voice for the Liberation Theology, said this about the Church's decline. "So many people leave and look for other churches, which have more populist language, and they are more welcoming and they allow for a sacred experience, an experience of God which is easier and more immediate." He later goes on to blame the rigid dogma and the Church's inability to integrate Latin America more with Rome.
The Pentecostal churches have promoted a self-improvement message that has grown on the younger generation. They have continued to develope despite recent flurries of controversy including some of the church founders caught smuggling money inside Bibles. The Pope has stated worries. This in the eyes that their rivals have gained more political clout and media power. Will the Roman Catholic Church continue to recede power to its rivals or regain its stability? Time will tell.
Friday, September 21, 2007
A Century of Political Turmoil
After Dom Pedro became the first emperor of Brazil it faced immediate challenges. His son, Pedro II, came to power in 1840 and had to deal with rising revolts because of slave use. That was the first of many domestic blows that began to crumble his power base. In parallel to this was the rise of the Army, who began clambering for a Republic. Even though slavery was abolished, the emperor had no give in the political arena.
General Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca planned a military coup in 1889 to rid of Pedro II. He success resulted in the collapse of the empire and the start of the Brazil Republic, with him as the first President. The Republic lasted in its true form from 1889-1930. During that time the economy faced many speed bumps. The abolishment of slavery crippled their exporting economy which relied heavily on sugar and coffee. Plus the equipment being used was not up to the quick standards of their North Western counterparts.
The country also was split in its class, economic, and culture. The north was rural and mostly impoverished. The south was dynamic, populated, and economically reliable. The Republic power base came from the south allowing them complete decision making. Yet no political outbursts occurred till 1930.
It was it that year that the economy fell to ruins along with the rest of western world due to the stock market crash of 1929. Getúlio Vargas, a governor in a influential province, used another military coup to oust the leaders from their hold. He ruled till his death in 1954. Under his control he pushed his populist beliefs to reinvigorate the working class and gain unprecedented political clout. He established hard tariffs to quell the country's nature to import to solve their problems.
With such popularity Vargas was allowed to model his government in an almost dictatorial fashion. He rewarded the sugar land owners for their allegiance and gave nothing to the working class, going against his promise. Communist uprisings began to pop up, but Vargas united different classes, unions, and political players to keep himself in power.
The class wars were still brimming with anger and it led to the third military coup in 1964. The new ruling class was run entirely by the military. They weakened the legislative and judicial branches and gave more to the president. Humberto de Alencar Castello Branco, was the first president under the new rule and set the tone for his followers. But economy continued to grow and modernization expanded their agricultural reach.
In 1985 Brazil went through its fourth and final transformation. The middle class wanted new responsible leaders and not chained to the military. They succeeded placing a return to a civil democratic government. Their federal constitution was constructed in 1988 and has been upheld since.
General Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca planned a military coup in 1889 to rid of Pedro II. He success resulted in the collapse of the empire and the start of the Brazil Republic, with him as the first President. The Republic lasted in its true form from 1889-1930. During that time the economy faced many speed bumps. The abolishment of slavery crippled their exporting economy which relied heavily on sugar and coffee. Plus the equipment being used was not up to the quick standards of their North Western counterparts.
The country also was split in its class, economic, and culture. The north was rural and mostly impoverished. The south was dynamic, populated, and economically reliable. The Republic power base came from the south allowing them complete decision making. Yet no political outbursts occurred till 1930.
It was it that year that the economy fell to ruins along with the rest of western world due to the stock market crash of 1929. Getúlio Vargas, a governor in a influential province, used another military coup to oust the leaders from their hold. He ruled till his death in 1954. Under his control he pushed his populist beliefs to reinvigorate the working class and gain unprecedented political clout. He established hard tariffs to quell the country's nature to import to solve their problems.
With such popularity Vargas was allowed to model his government in an almost dictatorial fashion. He rewarded the sugar land owners for their allegiance and gave nothing to the working class, going against his promise. Communist uprisings began to pop up, but Vargas united different classes, unions, and political players to keep himself in power.
The class wars were still brimming with anger and it led to the third military coup in 1964. The new ruling class was run entirely by the military. They weakened the legislative and judicial branches and gave more to the president. Humberto de Alencar Castello Branco, was the first president under the new rule and set the tone for his followers. But economy continued to grow and modernization expanded their agricultural reach.
In 1985 Brazil went through its fourth and final transformation. The middle class wanted new responsible leaders and not chained to the military. They succeeded placing a return to a civil democratic government. Their federal constitution was constructed in 1988 and has been upheld since.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
How It Came to Be
Being the fifth largest and fifth most populous country in the world, Brazil naturally holds caveat in the global stage. But it took them time to get there. Portugal in their schemes to become the dominant trading empire of their times began colonizing the western hemisphere. Pedro Alvares Cabral discovered the land in 1500 and Portugal began investing heavily into the territory in 1530. It's main objective was to establish a viable economy built on the land's natural resources. But that did not last long as countries closer to Europe were far more financial viable. Instead it was the discovery of gold that spurred new found interest in Brazil.
What later followed was Brazil's fight for independence. With abusive taxes placed on the country and most of the gold profit going towards the King of Portugal, civil unrest swept the streets. The last decade of the 18th century saw the country facing economic dry spell. Gold was not as strong and no new resource had presented itself. Worst yet was the Portuguese head of states fled their homeland and settled in Brazil avoiding the rampaging armies of Napoleon.
A series of events unfolded between 1821-1825 that propelled Brazil from colony to independent nation. Latin America began to strike back and Brazil got involved in the conflict. Much of the Portugal royalty returned to Lisbon with Napoleon defeated leaving a small sect to govern. The remaining sect decided to abolish Brazil and make all of it directly subordinate to Lisbon itself. The armies present at the time were mixed of Portuguese and Brazilian, but the difference split them apart. Dom Pedro leader of Brazil refused to leave and cement full Portugal control leading to further tensions. He forced Portuguese troops to leave the country and later establish a government coalition with Jose Bonifacio de Andrade e Silva, whose knowledge help stabilize the land. On September 7th, 1822 they won their freedom and Dom Pedro became the first emperor later that year.
What later followed was Brazil's fight for independence. With abusive taxes placed on the country and most of the gold profit going towards the King of Portugal, civil unrest swept the streets. The last decade of the 18th century saw the country facing economic dry spell. Gold was not as strong and no new resource had presented itself. Worst yet was the Portuguese head of states fled their homeland and settled in Brazil avoiding the rampaging armies of Napoleon.
A series of events unfolded between 1821-1825 that propelled Brazil from colony to independent nation. Latin America began to strike back and Brazil got involved in the conflict. Much of the Portugal royalty returned to Lisbon with Napoleon defeated leaving a small sect to govern. The remaining sect decided to abolish Brazil and make all of it directly subordinate to Lisbon itself. The armies present at the time were mixed of Portuguese and Brazilian, but the difference split them apart. Dom Pedro leader of Brazil refused to leave and cement full Portugal control leading to further tensions. He forced Portuguese troops to leave the country and later establish a government coalition with Jose Bonifacio de Andrade e Silva, whose knowledge help stabilize the land. On September 7th, 1822 they won their freedom and Dom Pedro became the first emperor later that year.
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