Brazil and India: A Comparative Analysis of Key Features
Brazil and India: A Comparative Analysis
Urbanization in Brazil and India
(1) The rate of urbanization is higher in Brazil than in India.
(ii) The growth of urbanization in India has been slow. E.g., from 18% in 1961 to 31.2% in 2011.
(iii) The growth of urbanization in Brazil has been rapid. E.g., from 47.1% in 1960 to 84.6% in 2010.
(iv) Urbanization is more prevalent in the southern part of India than in the northern part. Urbanization in Brazil is more concentrated in the coastal states of the south and southeast than in the interior states of the west and north.
(v) India’s rate of urbanization has increased continuously, albeit at a fluctuating rate.
(vii) Brazil’s rate of urbanization has increased but at a diminishing rate.
Fishing Activities: Similarities and Differences
Similarities:
- In both Brazil and India, fishing activity is developed near the coastal areas.
- In both countries, marine fishing is well-developed.
Differences:
- In India, freshwater fishing is practiced, whereas in Brazil, due to unfavorable conditions, freshwater fishing is not well-developed.
- The meeting of the warm Brazil current and the cold Falkland current off the coast of Southeast Brazil makes it a good fishing ground. In India, such currents do not converge, but fishing has developed due to other favorable conditions.
- Major fish species in Brazil include swordfish, shrimp, lobsters, and sardines. Major fish species in India include mackerel, Bombay duck, prawns, horse mackerel, clupeids, silver bellies, and sardines.
Population Density in Brazil
(i) Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world by area and has a population of about 190 million (Census 2010).
(ii) It occupies 5.6% of the world’s total land area but accounts for only 2.78% of the world’s total population.
(iii) Thus, Brazil occupies a larger percentage of the world’s land but a smaller percentage of the world’s total population. Therefore, the population density is very low in Brazil, i.e., around 23 persons per sq. km.
Population Density in India
(i) India is the second most populous country in the world, with a population of about 1.21 billion (Census 2011).
(ii) India occupies only 2.41% of the land area of the world but supports 17.5% of the world’s population.
(iii) Thus, India has a smaller percentage of the world’s land but supports a high percentage of the world’s population.
(iv) Hence, India’s average population density is high, i.e., 382 persons per sq. km.
Population Distribution in Brazil and India
Similarities:
- Uneven population distributions
- Barriers to settlement (dense forests, lack of facilities)
- Low population in the northern region
- Population concentrated in fertile regions
- Densely populated coastal regions
Differences:
- Population density (India: 382 persons/sq.km, Brazil: 23 persons/sq.km)
- River basin population distribution (Amazon: sparse, Ganga: dense)
Climate and Population Distribution
- Mild climate, moderate rainfall: Dense population (coastal plains of Brazil and India.)
- Heavy rainfall, inaccessibility: Low population in (Amazon Basin (Brazil) and north-eastern states (India).)
- Snow-covered regions: Less population in (extremely cold areas like northern Jammu & Kashmir.)
- Arid regions: Sparse population in areas with less rainfall and extreme conditions, like (Thar Desert (Rajasthan) and Drought Quadrilateral region (Brazil).)
Why Human Settlements Grow in Specific Locations
- Drought-prone regions, desert regions, regions with infertile land, and regions with unhealthy climates adversely affect the growth of human settlements.
- In such regions, agriculture and industries do not progress well. As a result, human settlements do not grow in such regions.
- Regions with fresh air and bright sunlight, regions with available water, regions with fertile land, and regions with moderate rainfall support the growth of human settlements.
- In such regions, agriculture and industries progress well. As a result, human settlements grow in such areas. In this way, due to the presence of favorable factors, human settlements grow in specific locations only.
Why Mining Has Not Developed in Western Brazil
- There are comparatively fewer mineral deposits in the western part of Brazil.
- Most of the western part of Brazil is covered by the Amazon river basin. There are evergreen dense rainforests in these areas. Due to dense forests, this area has become inaccessible. As a result, there are natural limitations on the use and exploitation of mineral resources available in this area.
- The density of human settlement is very low in the western part of Brazil. Thus, the demand for minerals in this part is comparatively low.
- Similarly, transport facilities are poorly developed in this area. Therefore, mining has not developed in the western part of Brazil.
Formation of Swamps in Pantanal
(i) Pantanal is one of the largest wetlands in the world, lying in the southwest part of the highland areas.
(ii) It is a region of swamps and marshes in the northwestern part of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil and extends into Argentina.
(iii) This region is drained by the river Paraguay and its tributaries.
(iv) They collect water from the highland areas and deposit sediments in the low-lying Pantanal region.
(v) Pantanal is a gently sloped basin submerged throughout the year due to the filling of sediments and water in the depression area of the Pantanal.
Dominant Forest Type in India
- Deciduous vegetation is characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the summer season.
- Shedding leaves decreases the rate of evaporation and helps trees conserve water and energy.
- Deciduous vegetation is found in areas receiving rainfall between 1000 mm and 2000 mm.
- In most of India, the amount of annual average rainfall is between 1000 mm and 2000 mm. Therefore, deciduous vegetation occupies most of India.
Environmental Issues in Brazil and India
(i) Environmental degradation is occurring in Brazil due to illegal smuggling of wild animals, slash-and-burn agriculture (roca), deforestation, pollution, etc.
(ii) Due to these problems, many endemic species are on the verge of extinction.
(iii) India also faces environmental issues such as poaching, pollution, and rapid deforestation.
(iv) Many species of wildlife are on the verge of extinction in India.
Wildlife and Natural Vegetation in India and Brazil
(i) Depending on favorable geographical conditions, we find a variety of natural vegetation in India and Brazil. Also, depending on the vegetation, we find a variety of wildlife in different regions.
(ii) Grasslands of Brazil, like the Savannah, and the deciduous forests of India have a large number of herbivores and carnivores.
(iii) The dense evergreen forests of India in the west and northeast, and the Amazon Basin of Brazil are home to a large variety of birds, insects, and reptiles, along with herbivores and carnivores.
(iv) Coastal forests and swampy areas of Pantanal and Sunderbans have mangroves, a variety of birds, fishes, and reptiles like crocodiles, alligators, and anacondas in Brazil.
(v) Vegetation provides food and shelter to wildlife, but if vegetation is limited, like in the Thar Desert or the Caatinga, it will also limit the variety of animal species.
Climatic Changes from South to North in India
The changes occurring in the climatic conditions of India while going from south to north are as follows:
- In India, as we go from south to north, the temperatures keep dropping.
- For example, in the peninsular region located in the southern part of India, the average temperature ranges between 25°C and 30°C. On the other hand, in mountainous regions located in the northern part of India, the average temperature ranges between 5°C and 10°C.
- In India, as we go from south to north, the amount of rainfall also keeps decreasing.
- For example, in Chennai (located in the southern part of India), the maximum average rainfall in November is nearly 410 mm. On the other hand, in Delhi (located in the northern part of India), the maximum rainfall in August is 250 mm.
Human Settlements in the Ganga River Basin
(i) Nucleated settlements are found in the Ganga River basin.
(ii) Flat land, availability of water, fertile soil, and a favorable climate are suitable for human settlement.
(iii) The above conditions, along with a good transport network, have helped flourish agriculture and other industries.
Human Settlements in the Amazon River Basin
(i) Dispersed settlements are found in the Amazon River basin.
(ii) Unfavorable climate, heavy rainfall, and inaccessibility make the Amazon River basin unsuitable for human settlement.
(iii) Due to dense evergreen forests and poor transport facilities, there are restrictions on the use of natural resources, which have affected economic development.
Internal Waterways in Brazil
(i) Most of the rivers in Brazil flow at high speed.
(ii) The amount of discharge of many rivers is very high.
(iii) In Brazil, rigid topography is found in many places near river basins. Many areas near rivers are inaccessible. Therefore, internal waterways are not developed in Brazil.
Per Capita Land Availability
(i) India occupies 2.4% of the world’s land area and supports 17.5% of the world’s total population.
(ii) Brazil occupies 5.6% of the world’s land area and supports only 2.75% of the world’s total population.
(iii) The average population density in India is about 382 persons per sq. km, while the average population density in Brazil is around 23 persons per sq. km.
(iv) Thus, Brazil’s population is lesser than India’s, but it occupies a larger land area than India.
Rapid Urbanization in India
(i) In India, there has been growing industrialization, leading to the availability of jobs in urban areas.
(ii) Urban areas have better facilities and amenities like water supply, electricity, health, education, etc.
(iii) There is increasing migration of people from rural areas to urban areas.
(iv) The urban population is increasing due to the expansion of urban centers and the emergence of new towns. So, urbanization is increasing rapidly in India.
Eco-Tourism in Brazil
Clean, white sand beaches, an attractive seacoast, beautiful islands, orchards, deep dense forests of the Amazon, and various birds and animals attract many international tourists. The new capital city of Brasilia is also a tourist attraction. Cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are large cities that attract many tourists. Tourism is an important economic activity in several regions of the country. Looking at the sensitivity of the natural resources in Brazil, ecotourism is developing at a faster rate.
Population Distribution in Coastal Brazil
(i) It has a good water supply and a large range of natural resources.
(ii) The region has rich, fertile soil, which is most suitable for coffee cultivation.
(iii) The region is rich in minerals like iron ore and has a steady power supply.
(iv) Excellent transportation facilities are also available here.
(v) Due to these factors, agriculture, industries, and trade flourish, and settlements increase. So, the majority of Brazil’s population is found in the eastern coastal areas.
Mixed Economy in Brazil and India
(i) Sectors like health, banking, telecommunications, railways, and airways are owned and managed by both public and private sectors.
(iii) In India, railways are largely a public sector, whereas all other sectors are owned and managed by both private and public sectors. So, it is said that there is a mixed economy in Brazil and India.
Waterways are the cheapest modes of transportation for bulky and perishable goods over long distances. International trade includes the import and export of goods. India is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean; therefore, we have a long coastline.