Michel Temer Replaces Dilma Rousseff as President of Brazil


Most of the Amazon rainforest is in the South American country of Brazil.  The former Portuguese colony is the continent’s most influential country and is one of the world’s largest democracies. 


Similarly to the United States there is a significant gap between the rich and poor in Brazil.  The nation’s population is quite diverse.  Brazil’s population includes native indigenous Americans and descendants of African slaves and European settlers.


Recently, Brazil has experienced two historic events: the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.  More importantly, the former president of Brazil Dilma Rousseff was suspended in May 2016 by the Brazilian senate.  Rousseff was charged with using illegal budgetary maneuvers to shield the extent of Brazil’s financial woes.  In 2010, Rousseff (a member of the left-wing Workers’ Party) was elected as Brazil’s first woman president.  In 2014, Rousseff was re-elected.  However, since 2013, Rousseff faced mass protests over allegations that she falsified documents to hide financial deficits in government funds. 


In August 2016, Michel Temer was sworn in as president after Rousseff was removed from office.  Temer, a member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, served as vice-president in Rousseff’s administration.  Temer will serve as president for the duration of Rousseff’s term, which concludes at the end of 2018.   


Facts about the Federal Republic of Brazil:

Population: 205,823,665 (July 2016)

Area: 3.3 million sq. miles (slightly smaller than the U.S.)

Capital: Brasilia

Major language: Portuguese

Major religion: Christianity


Sources: www.bbc.com; www.cia.gov/library/publication/the-world-factbook/

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