The Brazilian government built a new capital city in the highlands to promote better development and ensure the country’s centralization. The location in the highlands provided a more secure and strategic position, away from coastal vulnerabilities and potential threats.
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The Brazilian government built a new capital city in the highlands for several reasons, aiming to promote better development and ensure the country’s centralization. The decision to establish Brasília as the capital was a strategic move to overcome the limitations of the previous capital, Rio de Janeiro, and to bring development to the interior regions of Brazil.
One of the primary reasons for building the new capital was to address the geographical vulnerabilities and potential threats associated with being located on the coast. By moving the capital to the highlands, the Brazilian government sought to enhance security and establish a more defensible position. As the highlands offered a natural terrain advantage, it reduced the risk of potential attacks from the sea, ensuring the safety of the government and key administrative functions.
In addition to security considerations, the government wanted to decentralize power and stimulate development in the country’s interior. By building Brasília in the relatively undeveloped region of the Brazilian Highlands, the government aimed to promote economic growth and reduce the socioeconomic disparities between the coast and the hinterland. The construction of a new capital in the highlands acted as a catalyst for regional development and modernization, attracting investors, businesses, and populations to the previously neglected areas.
To underline the importance of the decision to build a new capital and promote centralization, former Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek stated, “It means ticking off an exhilarating experience in the life of a nation. With one stroke, a young country is shaping its fate.”
Interesting facts about the construction and establishment of Brasília:
- Construction of Brasília commenced on April 21, 1956, and the city was officially inaugurated on April 21, 1960.
- Renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer designed many of Brasília’s iconic buildings and structures, including the National Congress, the Cathedral of Brasília, and the Palácio da Alvorada (the official residence of the President of Brazil).
- The urban design of Brasília, known as the Plano Piloto, was developed by urban planner Lúcio Costa, who won a competition for the city’s design.
- Brasília’s unique layout, often compared to an airplane or a bird in flight when viewed from above, contributes to its modern and avant-garde architectural appeal.
- In recognition of its architectural and urban planning significance, Brasília was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
- The construction of Brasília led to the migration of thousands of people to the region, resulting in the rapid growth of the city’s population, which now exceeds three million residents.
Table – Comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Brasília as capital cities:
| Aspect | Rio de Janeiro | Brasília |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Location | Coastal | Highland |
| Security Considerations | Vulnerable | More secure and defensible |
| Decentralization Effort | Centralized | Decentralized |
| Regional Development | Coastal focus | Inland development focus |
| Architectural Significance | Old world charm | Modern and avant-garde |
| Population Growth | Established | Rapid growth since founding |
Note: The information provided above is based on general knowledge about Brasília and may not be up-to-date.
Video answer
The video discusses the reasons why the capital of Brazil was moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília. The decision was made to provide a more centralized location for governing and to avoid favoring the south over the north. Rio had become overcrowded and unsuitable as the capital, prompting the need for a new city. Brasília was planned and constructed in just three years, attracting people to the underdeveloped region known as the Cerrado. However, critics argue that the construction of Brasília was a political maneuver that did not address more pressing issues such as poverty and corruption. Nevertheless, Brasília has become the third largest metro area in Brazil but faces challenges in terms of its design and rapid population growth.
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Why did the Brazilian Government build a new capital in the highlands? The Brazilian Government wanted to build a new capital in the highlands because of hoping to draw people into the interior country. What factors contribute to the different plant and animal life in the Amazon River Basin?
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People also ask, Why was the capital of Brazil built?
In reply to that: Brasília was a planned city developed by Lúcio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer and Joaquim Cardozo in 1956 in a scheme to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro to a more central location.
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In this manner, Why did the Brazilian government build a new capital city called Brasilia?
The city was projected to be the symbol of modernization and development of Juscelino Kubistchek. The president used the construction as a modernist and nationalist advertising, to exalt its government. The city of Rio de Janeiro strugged with the lost of its power change of the capital to Brasilia.
When did Brazil change capital?
As a response to this: In 1960, Brazil moved its capital city from Rio de Janeiro to a brand new city in the center of the country, called Brasilia. Brasilia was designed and constructed on empty land near the center of the country in the 1950s.
Why did the national government move the location of Brazil’s capital inland?
First, the territory was inland, not vulnerable to naval attack. Rio remained vulnerable, and coastal attack would devastate the vibrant economy of the port, still at least government could function if the center of administrative direction was securely inland.
Why did Brazil need a new capital city? In the 1940s, the Brazilian government found themselves searching for a new capital city location in an effort to better unify the country. However, Brazil’s central interior was rural, and lacked the prominent cities suitable to dub a metropolitan capital. It was clear a new city would need to be built.
Just so, Why did José Bonifacio propose a new capital?
It all starts on Brazilian independence eve, when José Bonifacio (a Brazilian Politician), realized that the capital of the country was in a vulnerable situation. At that time French pirate attacks were commons and, as Rio de Janeiro is a coast city it was an easy target. Thus, José Bonifácio suggests building a new capital in the central highland.
Correspondingly, Why did Lucio Costa choose a site atop the Brazilian Highlands? A site atop the Brazilian highlands in the country’s center-western region was ultimately selected, as it lacked historical ties and was primarily a barren rural land. Lucio Costa was best known as the “main creator” of the master plan of Brasília.
What was Brazil’s most ambition plan? Response to this: And its most ambition plan was the construction of Brasilia. In 1956, the government launched a context to choose the best project to the construction of the new capital of Brazil. The winning project was of the city planner born in Rio de Janeiro Lúcio Costa.