Brazilian cement focus

摘要

Brazil, by far the largest country in South America, and the fifth largest in the world, is also the worlds fifth most populous country.1 As of 26 December 2011 it reportedly had the sixth largest economy in the world, overtaking the UK at the end of the year.2 The country is not short of money, which has helped give rise to vibrant industrial and technological sectors, a highly-developed infrastructure and a large cement industry. However, "its wealth, much of which stems from its natural minerals and oil, is very unevenly distributed among its 203.4 million inhabitants.2 The country suffers from very wide social and economic inequality, ranking 10th from bottom on an index of household income equality in 2011.3 As is the case around the world, where rich and poor are in close proximity, high levels of crime follow, especially in the larger metropolises such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.