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BrazilBrazil’s Amazon is a region of superlatives. It is home to the world’s largestrainforest (approximately two million square miles) and the world’s mightiest river. Itis also a habitat for the greatest variety of animal life known on earth. Brazil’sanimal life includes giant spiders, piranha, jaguars, howler monkeys, parrots, and30-foot anacondas. The area’s plant life is also impressive. The forest trees grow indistinctive layers. Some trees adorned with a variety of air plants, reach heights ofup to 165 feet. Plant and animal species number in the millions—so many that somebelieve millions remain unidentified and uncounted. For years, this rich environmenthas been the focal point of two opposing camps: environmentalists and developers.After satellite photos revealed record deforestation in the mid-1990s, Brazil’sgovernment used a Presidential Transitory Act to strengthen the 1965 Forest Code.The rainforest’s protected area was increased from 50 to 80 percent. Thedevelopers, however, including loggers, farmers, and ranchers, want to relaxrestrictions so more trees can be cut for cropland and pasture.The conflict may never end, but for now the preservationistshave formed a strong coalition and seek tomake protective legislation a permanent law. Here’sa snapshot of Brazil:Geographical area 3,286,488 sq. mi.Population 176,029,560CapitalBrasíliaLegal systemBased on Roman codesLanguagePortuguese, Spanish, EnglishReligion80% Roman CatholicLife expectancy 64 yearsCritical Thinking Question What are some of the most important reasons forprotecting the rainforests? For more information on Brazil, visit ubpl.glencoe.comor your local library.Chapter 19: Agency Relationships and Their Termination 421