The state of Tocantins, created in 1988, is the newest federative unit in Brazil, its territory of 277,621,858 square kilometers is the result of the emancipation of northern Goiás. The population of Tocantins totals 1,383,445 inhabitants, making it the fourth most populous state in the North Region.
Although the economy of Tocantins presents evolution every year, its contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is still small, only 0.5%. At the regional level, Tocantins' share of GDP is 8.3%.
The composition of the Gross Domestic Product of Tocantins is as follows:
Agriculture: 17.8%.
Industry: 24.1%.
Services: 58.1%.
Therefore, the service sector is the main responsible for the formation of the state GDP. In Tocantins, this segment of the economy is concentrated in the capital, Palmas, and in cities located near the Belém-Brasília highway, as the flow of people is intense in these locations.
Agriculture is the activity responsible for approximately 99% of the state's exports. Beef cattle raising is one of the great economic elements of Tocantins. The state is also a major agricultural producer, with emphasis on the cultivation of rice, cassava, sugar cane, corn and, mainly, soy.
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The industrial sector is concentrated in the cities of Palmas, Gurupi, Porto Nacional, Araguaína and Paraíso do Tocantins. The main industries are mineral products, rubber and plastic, agribusiness and food. Its production is mainly intended for domestic consumption.
Another highlight in the economy of Tocantins refers to mining, as the state has large amounts of gold and limestone.
Tocantins economy data:
Gross Domestic Product: 11 billion reais.
Gross Domestic Product per capita: 8,921 reais.
Export: 297.7 million dollars.
Soy – 82%.
Beef – 17%.
Others – 1%.
Imports: 143.8 million dollars.
Yarns, fabrics and clothing – 19%.
PVC – 19%.
Food – 13%.
Fertilizers and fertilizers – 10%.
Electrical and electronic appliances/materials – 5%.
Olive oil – 4%.
Birdseed – 2%.
Machines and equipment – 2%.
Others – 26%.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
Tocantins - North region - geography of Brazil - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
FRANCISCO, Wagner de Cerqueira e. "The Economy of Tocantins"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/brasil/a-economia-tocantins.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
