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Transportation
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Brazil has always had a challenge developing its
transportation system. Dating as far back as 
the 1500's, Brazil has had a challenge transporting its people and goods
to the major industrial centers. In the 1500's most of the goods and
people were transported by canoes on the river systems; by use of
mules and by foot. Later in the 1800's, as the coffee industry
became important, railroads were built to facilitate the trade.
Railroads did help the exporting of coffee, however they did very
little to enhance the communication and connection
between the remote areas of Brazil and the major industrial centers.
In 1964, after the military take over of Brazil , road construction began
in an attempt to connect much of the Amazon region to the rest of Brazil.
This road building brought great destruction to the tribal settlements and
the jungle life itself, however the goal was to increase the country's
economy.
Today, land transportation is becoming more
effective in that about 85% of Brazil's people and products are
transported by road. Brazilian highways are of modern design and
link all the state capitals by paved roads. The overall total of
Brazilian highways is 1.5 million km. 
This development of the highways shows the progress that has occurred over
the last three decades. Since 1970 the government has
attempted to improve the connection of the major city centers.
Work is constantly being undertaken to connect the remote areas of Brazil
to the coast. Problems still arise in the rural and remote areas as
water floods the roads making them impassable for days. Sometimes
road construction after the floods is delayed inhibiting travel even more.
The railway network is smaller in comparison to the
highway development in Brazil. A new project underway is the Steel
Railway ( Ferrovia do Aco). This railway is going to be built in an
attempt to connect the inland iron ore mining areas to steel mills and
port facilities in the southeastern coast.
Air travel in Brazil is comparable to that of North
America. Since 1930, Brazil has had a vast growth in air transit.
There are many routes that connect all the major cities and most of the 
remote areas of the jungle. Ranchers, scientists and even members of
tribes use airplanes to get to the major city centers. Brazil has
ten international airports, fully operational that offer high standards or
comfort and efficiency. Brazil is connected by air travel to all the
continents in the world. Brazil has the second largest fleet of
private airplanes in the world.
Transportation in Brazil has improved over the last
three decades, but more roads and 
railways are needed. A controversial issue that arises from this is
the fact that the rainforest and the native settlements are destructed
when roads are built through the jungle. Roads are needed to enable
economic development and for the rural poor to access better facilities
and jobs, but on the other hand the rainforest and the native lifestyle is
in danger of extinction.
Student Activity:
In an essay format explain whether or not you agree
with the following statement:
" Development of roads and railways in Brazil are more important than
the rainforest and the rural poor."
Click here
to see an outline of an essay format.
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