The Federative Republic of Brazil is a democratic republic with a presidential system of government. It is both the largest country in South America, and the 5th largest country in the world with a total area of 8,514,876.6 km2. As such the topography is diverse including hills, plains, mountains, highlands and scrublands. The nation spans three time zones, and various climatic regions, most being tropical. At approximately 196 million inhabitants, it is the 5th most populous country in the world, and the sixth largest economy. Agribusiness is the leading industry in Brazil accounting for 25% of the GDP, and 35% of employment, much of which is centred in Minas Gerais and the surrounding states.
Her Excellency Dilma Vana Rouseff is the current President of Brazil, and the first woman to hold the office. She was raised in Belo Horizonte, the state capital of Minas Gerais. The Rouseff government stands in support of efforts to strengthen the Brazilian agricultural sector.
