The North - Amazon forest produces mahogany, teak, and other woods and minerals like bauxite and iron ore. Economic development has been destroying the forest and its wildlife and Native American cultures living there . The Northeast - farmers and ranchers have cleared forests. Overgrazing the dry area has ruined much of the land. The Southeast - has one of the largest iron ore deposits in the world.
Brazil is the world's leading producer of coffee.
Sao Paulo has over 18 million people. Rio de Janeiro is a major tourist center. The South - vast plains are used to raise cattle for beef exports. Yerba mate , a tea-like drink made from the leaves of holly trees, is popular in southern South America. West Central Region - highlands and plateaus have isolated this area.