This book is a captivating and authoritative introduction to Brazil—its history, the evolution of its society and culture, and the staggering variety of peoples and landscapes within its borders.Brazil: A Global Studies Handbook provides an easy-to-access, multifaceted introduction to the world’s fifth largest nation—a staggeringly diverse region, socially and geographically, that remains relatively unknown even as it becomes increasingly important on the world stage. Brazil offers an expert chronological narrative summary of over five centuries of South America’s largest country—from the days of early Portuguese exploration to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reelection. In addition, it provides a richly informative section of alphabetically organized entries covering important Brazilian people, places, and events. For readers both new to Brazil or researching specific aspects of its unique history, complex politics, heavyweight economy, and vibrant culture, this is the volume with which to begin.Includes maps of the early division of South America, modern Brazil's regions and states, and comparative views of Brazil's size to that of Europe as well as photographs of slave conditions, early transportation of coffee, famous leaders, indigenous peoples, the Amazon rainforest, and moreProvides a glossary of terms from Brazil's history to contemporary times, defining terms such as estado novo, bureaucratic authoritarianism, Tropicalismo, and Capoeira
