Core and periphery of Brazil

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With reference to your selected region; locate and account for the emergence of a core, of relative wealth and a periphery of relative poverty. Discuss the relationship between the core and periphery, and note why the core is over-heating. What strategies have been initiated to tackle these regional inequalities?

Brazil is the largest of the Latin American countries, located in the South American continent. Brazil’s unequal development has given rise to two areas of spatial inequality. These are called the Core and the Periphery. The core is a relatively wealthy area, and is seen as the industrial hub of economics and industry. The Periphery however is less economically developed, and is characterised by a declining or stagnant economy. This prominent division has been caused by many reasons. The Core’s success has resulted in it overheating, and outward migration has resulted in the periphery’s problems getting worse. Government Strategies were then designed to improve the spread of development across Brazil.

John Friedmann’s model, shown above, shows us how Brazil has developed and its inequalities.

The Core is in the South East of Brazil and is an area of industry, with high levels of technology, capital and investment. Unlike the North the South is fortunate to have a warm, temperate climate with a distinct cooler season along the coast. Development is easier in these Southern conditions, compared to the difficult climates of areas such as Sertão, in the North, where there are frequent droughts.

        Also the Core’s location is beneficial too, being near the coast; large ports are possible and ports such as Santos in São Paulo are very important for importing and exporting for Brazil. These ports are built close to mineral resources and industry, for products to be exported.

The core is home to huge reserves of iron and sizeable reserves of gold and gemstones, including emerald, topaz and aquamarine. These are mainly found in Minas Gerais, and rich minerals such as these are very beneficial to an area and they bring great revenue.

São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro are three cities that make up Brazil’s industrial triangle, which is the centre of its industry. São Paulo is home to approximately one-third of the Brazilian GDP, with its economy based on machinery and automobile industry. Rio de Janeiro had the second largest economy after São Paulo and is home to the country’s largest bank – Banco de Brazil. Belo Horizonte has become an international reference in information technology and Biotechnology.

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The Core has a good infrastructure, with efficient roads and railways that attract development. There is a large market for consumer goods and services, with a thriving work force, created by the large population.

        The South East of Brazil was the centre of trade in the country’s colonial history too. Brazil was a Portuguese colony for over 300 years and the Portuguese exploited the land and exported minerals to Europe. The Southeast of the country was their centre of trade, so ports began to grow to export raw materials e.g. Santos and Rio de Janeiro. This was the start ...

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