The nation of Brazil is a nation that is very diverse in its people and its culture. With about one hundred seventy five million people, the country ranks fifth in the world in total population. Beginning in the sixteenth century, many European countries began to explore and settle the region. This led to the modern day blending of Portuguese, African, German, Italian, Spanish, Asian, Arabic, and Amerindian cultures. National demographics are very complicated and hard to classify because of the intermarriage of different races and cultures throughout generations. Though the predominant race is of white European descent (55%), over a third of the population (38%) is made up of those who are racially mixed, though some have argued that this number is as high as 75%. Unlike the United States, however, race is not a major social factor as much as socioeconomic status. Almost a third of the country lives at or below the poverty line. .
The average Brazilian is about twenty-four years old and lives in an urban area. He makes more money than ten years ago, and is also having fewer children. The average monthly income has increased to $334, a one hundred dollar increase from 1991. The number of those who are of working age (15-64) make up the majority of the population at 65%.
Though the country's government is a democracy much like the United States, it can be very unstable politically at times. There are at least fifteen different political parties, and many politicians jump from one to another. In 2002, Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, who is affectionately known to the Brazilian people as Lula, was elected to the office of the presidency on the workers party ticket. Lula ran on the premise to help stabilize a sagging economy and reducing national debt and also help the many Brazilians living in poverty to get out by increasing spending on programs that help impoverished citizens.
Brazil's economy, which is roughly the size of Great Britain's, is currently in a recession like most of the other countries of the world.