3: The Sports Industry in Brazil

Brazil is the fifth largest country in land size in the world. It is located in the Americas and the majority of the territory is southern to the Equator line. Of the 12 other South American countries, Brazil has frontiers with 10 of them, while its east coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. The country is the fifth most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 202 million people in 2010 (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística [IBGE], 2010). In its historical ethnic formation, four influences have been significant. First, Portuguese colonization endured for 3 centuries, between 1500 until independence in 1822. Second, African groups brought to Brazil as slaves during the colonial period have also left a significant cultural mark. Third, after the abolition of slavery in 1888, the country received many immigrants from Europe and Asia, particularly from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan. The possibility of agricultural development in a huge unexploited land attracted many families from overseas. Fourth, another important cultural influence comes from the native indigenous people. They used to live in the most of the territory when the Portuguese arrived. Despite the decimation of the native peoples, indigenous cultures have influenced Brazilian culture significantly in the post-colonial period, but in the 21st century they represent less than 1% of the population.