Facts:

- Slavery theoretically ended in 1888

- Population: 22% below poverty line (1998) According to Brazil's last census (2001), the black population makes up 50% of the 170 million Brazilians. Racism in the country continues to be significant. The unemployment level for Afro-Brazilians is 20.9% while the level for the white population is 13%.

- Ethnic Groups: White (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, Mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%

- Independence 1882

- Unemployment Rate: 6.4% (2001 est. by CIA)

The social situation of the population in Rio de Janeiro is problematic for the tourism industry. A large part of the locals are extremely poor and live in slum or ghetto regions in various locations spread across the city commonly known as flavellas. There is still a huge racial divide between the middle to upper class citizens and the poor citizens. The flavellas are predominantly filled with Brazilians of African descent. The rich appear to only have European descent. Flavellas do not have running water, windows, and rarely have electricity.

The police of Rio have low wages and make no effort to protect tourists. Tour guides avoid portraying the city as dangerous to prevent to fall out of tourism. The Brazilian government does not have the funds and strategies to improve living situations for the poor and prevent crimes against tourists. As an end result, Rio is the worst representation of Brazil. I hope the future of Brazil is brighter than its current state.