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Climate The single most important influence on Brazil's climate is its location on the equator. Temperatures seldom exceed 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) in the tropics, owing to the moderating effects of high atmospheric humidity. At Rio de Janeiro, average temperatures vary from 22 degrees C (71 degrees F) in the coldest month, July, to 27 degrees C (80 degrees F) in the warmest month, January. The northern limit of frost passes through the state of Parana. Most of Brazil receives a moderate rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm (40-60 in), but the Amazon lowlands and several other areas receive more than 2,030 mm (80 in) of rainfall annually. Vegetation and Animal Life Rainfall is the primary determinant of vegetation patterns in Brazil. Tropical rain forest, or selva, is found in the wettest part of the Amazon Basin. The opening of this area to settlement through road building since 1970 has led to the large-scale burning of this forest--an estimated 200,000 sq./km. (77,220 sq./mi. ) was burned in 1987 alone--arousing worldwide concern and prompting a government conservation program. Much of Brazil is covered by savanna, or tropical grassland. In the interior of the northeast, catinga, a low and bushy scrub and thorn forest, is characteristic. Wildlife is abundant in Brazil, although large mammals are rare. Tapirs, capybaras, parrots, and monkeys are plentiful. The small, flesh-eating piranha fish lives in the Amazon River. Soils Lateritic soils dominate the Brazilian countryside. Thick, coarse, and reddish, they are deficient in plant nutrients. Rich alluvial soils mark the river floodplains. more |
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