BRAZIL - SOME FACTS OF IN 1889
FROM THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - 1889
.....Over the greater part of Brazil grows the coffee tree, the
sheetanchor of Brazilian prosperity, since it furnishes 60 per
cent of all the coffee grown in the world. The plant is not
indigenous to Brazil, but was brought there about one hundred
years ago from the old world.
Brazil, inhabited by the Portuguese, with an imperial government,
has been saved from the anarchy and insolvency of the Spanish
republics. Her railroads have been built with economy and have
been generally successful. It had a population in 1885 of
11,000,000; two-thirds of whom were Indians and negroes, and many
of the negroes were slaves.
Slavery existed longer in Brazil than in any other civilized
country; the lash was commonly used on the plantation, and work
continued from early in the morning until late at night until
1888, when a law was passed finally emancipating 1,300,000
slaves. It was opposed by the planters, who said freedmen would
not work, but would let the coffee and sugar plantations fall to
ruin. It was probably this act which caused the overthrow of the
empire, for in revenge the planters joined the insurgents in
establishing the Republic.
The Portuguese and Brazilians are more peaceable and orderly than
the Spaniards or Spanish-Americans; we may therefore reasonably
hope that Brazil will not repeat the history of the Spanish
republics, which has been one of disintegration, for these
republics have separated into two or more States. The greatest
difficulty in maintaining its immense domain will arise from the
enormous distances and the time required to travel between
different parts of the country. From Rio de Janeiro to Matto
Grosso is 140 days journey by land, and by water the distance is
3000 miles. Communication is maintained by steamer......
......
Aaaahhhh, did you note that SLAVERY EXISTED LONGER IN BRAZIL THAN
ANY OTHER COUNTRY!!
Interesting fact, but certainly no feather in their cap!
......
THE MOVIE "EXTRAODINARY MEASURES" just released in January 2010
A true life movie:
A genius scientist is hooked up with a family that desperately
needs his help. The scientist is his own worse enemy and everyone
else that comes into contact with him. The movie does have you
wondering if it will all be a failure.
The end is good and uplifting and the mind of man brings the
right stuff needed.
Yes, for being a true life movie it is worth seeing.
......
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