The economy of the Southeast Region is driven by industrial and agricultural production, and the sectors of commerce and services, especially tourism.
The Southeast is the richest region in the country, concentrating 55.4% of the national GDP (Gross Domestic Product), according to data from the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).
The Southeast Region is formed by the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The four states comprise 42.63% of the Brazilian population, with around 64.6 million inhabitants (IBGE, 2010).
Economic activities in the Southeast Region
The main economic activities developed in the Southeast region are:
- mineral extractivism
- Tourism and cultural activities
- Transformation industry
- Industrial and public utility services
- Construction
- Education, beauty, health, etc. services.
- Agriculture
The Southeast Region is responsible for the production of 50% of sugarcane in Brazil and leads the production of peanuts, cotton, rice, coffee, beans, oranges, cassava and soy.
The main Brazilian industrial park is located in the State of São Paulo and there are automobile, cargo vehicle, agricultural machinery and aircraft assemblers in the state. In the agricultural sector, we can highlight the cattle ranching and export meatpacking industry and the cultivation of oranges for juice production.
In Minas Gerais is the largest national production of bovine milk. Likewise, mineral extraction is carried out in the Iron Quadrangle of this state.
The main oil exploration field in the region is located in the Campos Basin, in Rio de Janeiro. The Southeastern states are also in the pre-salt area of the South Atlantic region.
Espírito Santo is the largest producer of marble and granite in Brazil and the port of Vitória is the gateway for the production of iron ore. In addition, 20% of the national coffee comes from this state.
Southeast Region Tourism
Tourism is of vital importance for the Southeast, being one of the most profitable sectors and with the greatest offer of jobs in the region.
The city that attracts the most visitors is Rio de Janeiro which, in addition to its natural beauty, especially the beaches, offers the most attended Carnival and New Year's Eve in the country.
São Paulo is known for offering natural beauty on the coast and for its hotel services specialized in business travelers. Events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix fill the capital's hotels.
Minas Gerais attracts for its historic cities such as Ouro Preto, Sabará, Diamantina, Mariana, Congonhas, São João del-Rei, Tiradentes and Sabará, in addition to the mountainous landscapes.
Espírito Santo is the target of intense demand for the quality of its beaches.
Culture of the Southeast Region
The event that stands out most in the cultural tradition of the Southeast is the Carioca Carnival. In addition to the parade in the streets, the party takes place at the Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro, on Avenida Marquês de Sapucaí.
The Parati Literary Fair also takes place in Rio de Janeiro, an event that is part of the world circuit of literary fairs and moves national literature.
In the State of São Paulo, one of the most important cultural events is the Festa do Peão de Barretos. Every year, thousands of people are attracted to the city for the typical rodeo competitions and country shows.
Culture in the State of Minas Gerais is manifested by music festivals, typical dishes and, mainly, by historical architecture.
In Espírito Santo festivals are celebrated about Italian and German culture, due to the immigration of these peoples in the state. There are still wine, polenta, strawberry festivals that attract thousands of visitors every year.
History of the Southeast economy
Historical and geographical aspects favored the positioning of the Southeast Region in the national economy, as the area was populated since the beginning of the colonial process. Rio de Janeiro, for example, was the country's capital from 1763 to 1960, attracting civil servants and institutions to this city.
Later, the transfer of the Portuguese court to Rio de Janeiro was fundamental for the development process of the city and the region.
In turn, the economic exploration process in Minas Gerais was based on gold, livestock and iron ore. This factor was decisive for the current position of the state in the national GDP.
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