Região Sudeste

The Southeast Region has a high level of urbanization and is home to some of the largest cities in the country. One of the many challenges faced in these large urban centers directly affects children: the spaces reserved for play are shrinking. Cities are increasingly being used for car traffic. Sidewalks and squares, which should be spaces occupied by pedestrians, are being used for other purposes. So, how do children play in a big city? Read the opinion of researcher Lydia Hortélio on this subject in the text below. General aspects The Southeast Region is made up of the four states highlighted on the map below. It is the region with the greatest economic development in the country and with a large number of companies. This characteristic has attracted migrants from various parts of Brazil and other countries. The region has a tropical climate, with rainfall concentrated in the summer and dry winters. The terrain is irregular and allows the use of several rivers to generate electricity, which supplies the large population and the large number of companies in the region. This is the case of the Paraná, Paranapanema, Tietê and Grande rivers, which, in certain stretches, run over areas of relief with slopes that favor the construction of hydroelectric plants. Economy The current level of economic development of the Southeast Region is the result of the industrialization process. It was the multiplication of industries throughout the 20th century (1901 to 2000) that made it possible to attract migrants to this region and to expand trade and service activities to serve the growing population. These activities have become, today, the main source of wealth not only for this region, but for all of Brazil. In addition to industries, trade and services, agriculture is also an important activity in the Southeast. On many small and medium-sized properties, food is produced to supply the population of the cities or raw materials for Brazilian industries. There is also production of beef and agricultural products, such as oranges, soybeans, corn, coffee and sugar cane, carried out on large properties and destined for export to various parts of the world. Large cities and urban problems The two largest Brazilian metropolises are located in the Southeast: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Millions of people live in these cities (and in neighboring cities). They are home to many industries and service providers and influence other parts of Brazil in various ways: by attracting migrants and visitors due to opportunities and events, by cultural habits broadcast by television stations, among others. Although there are many companies in large cities, the economic development they generate does not benefit everyone. A large portion of the population lives on low incomes and there is a lack of essential services (transportation, education, health, treated water, sewage) in the poorest neighborhoods. Social inequality is visible in the landscape. There is a noticeable presence of housing in precarious conditions, such as in the favelas, contrasting with housing with good infrastructure. There are neighborhoods without paving, without green areas or leisure areas, while others have squares, tree-lined and paved streets and a good range of services. Urban mobility problems, such as heavy traffic jams and insufficient and poor-quality public transport, are also common. Nature and environmental problems The Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest are the predominant types of natural vegetation in the Southeast Region. The Cerrado is present in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, occupying areas where the dry season is longer. The Atlantic Forest is found in coastal areas and in places where rain is more frequent. Originally, the Atlantic Forest occupied most of the Brazilian coast, from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul. However, over time, it was devastated due to the extraction of brazilwood and the cultivation of sugar cane, coffee and other products. Today, only small stretches of the original forest remain, and what remains continues to be deforested for the expansion of cities. The Southeast region faces many environmental problems. The intense economic activity developed in this region and the large population density generate a large amount of industrial and domestic waste, which is responsible for polluting the region's waters. In addition, oil exploration activities take place on the region's coast, with the risk of spills that can cause major environmental impacts. The Southeast also has a high concentration of mining activities, which pose risks of soil and water contamination. In 2015, a major environmental accident alerted society and the government to these risks. Text taken from the book "Aprender Juntos" by SM Publishing.