In this thorough description and analysis of Latin America's largest economy, Werner Baer traces the trajectory of Brazil's economic development from the colonial period through the current Lula administration. The sixth edition includes vast amounts of new statistical and institutional information, as well as a detailed assessment of the country's economic performance over the last decade. Current, and often contentious, issues such as privatization, income and regional inequalities, and the environmental impact of development are also extensively explored. Designed to be broadly accessible, this new edition will be valuable in a wide range of venues, from universities to the corporate world to the libraries of development organizations. This book gives a thorough description and analysis of Latin America's largest economy, tracing its trajectory from the colonial period through the current Lula administration.