brazil

• (federative republic of brazil) country in south america
the federative republic of brazil is a country in south america. it was a portuguese colony from the 16th century until it became independent in 1822. from 1822 to 1889 it was an empire. a republic was proclaimed in 1889. the military ruled from 1964 until 1985. in the 1970s and 1980s brazil became unable to pay its foreign debts, which were the largest in the developing world. high inflation and large foreign debts remain major economic problems. fernando collor de mello, of the national reconstruction party (prn), became president in 1990. in 1992 he resigned, after allegations that he profited from his office. the vice president, itamar franco, was appointed president and resigned from the prn. brazil exports coffee, oil, soya, iron, and cocoa. it is a member of the organization of american states.