| STAT | Brazil | United States | HISTORY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative divisions | 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins | 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
|
| Capital city > Geographic coordinates | 15 47 S, 47 55 W | 38 53 N, 77 02 W |
|
| Capital city > Name | Brasilia | Washington, DC |
|
| Constitution | several previous; latest ratified 5 October 1988; amended many times, last in 2012 | previous 1781 (Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union); latest drafted July - September 1787, submitted to the Congress of the Confederation 20 September 1787, submitted for states' ratification 28 September 1787, ratification completed by nine sta |
|
| Executive branch > Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president | Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval |
|
| Executive branch > Chief of state | President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011) | President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) |
|
| Executive branch > Head of government | President Dilma ROUSSEFF (since 1 January 2011); Vice President Michel TEMER (since 1 January 2011) | President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) |
|
| Government type | federal republic | Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition |
|
| International organization participation | AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OECD (Enhanced Engagement, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
|
| Judicial branch | Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Superior Tribunal of Justice or STJ; Superior Electoral Tribunal or TSE; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life) | Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts |
|
| Legal system | civil law | common law system based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law except Louisiana, which is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts |
|
| Legislative branch | bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) | bicameral Congress consists of the Senate |
|
| Political parties and leaders | Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Ivan Martins PINHEIRO]<br />Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Valdir RAUPP, acting]<br />Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Benito GAMA, acting]<br />Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]<br />Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Marcos Antonio PEREIRA]<br />Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Sergio GUERRA]<br />Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Eduardo CAMPOS]<br />Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]<br />Christian Social Democratic Party or PSDC [Jose Maria EYMAEL]<br />Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]<br />Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]<br />the Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL)<br />Free Homeland Party or PPL [Sergio Rubens de Araujo TORRES]<br />Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA]<br />Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Eduardo Machado e Silva RODRIGUES]<br />Labor Party of Brazil or PTB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]<br />National Ecologic Party or PEN [Adilson Barroso OLIVEIRA]<br />National Labor Party or PTN [Jose Masci de ABREU]<br />National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]<br />Party of the Republic or PR [Alfredo NASCIMENTO]<br />Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Roberto Joao PEREIRA FREIRE]<br />Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]<br />Progressive Republican Party or PRP [Ovasco Roma Altimari RESENDE]<br />Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]<br />Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democratico) or PSD [Gilberto KASSAB]<br />Social Liberal Party or PSL [Luciano Caldas BIVAR]<br />Socialism and Freedom Party (Partido Socialismo e Liberdade) or PSOL [Ivan VALENTE]<br />United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU [Jose Maria DE ALMEIDA]<br />Workers' Cause Party or PCO [Rui Costa PIMENTA]<br />Workers' Party or PT [Rui FALCAO] | Democratic Party [Debbie Wasserman SCHULTZ]<br />Green Party<br />Libertarian Party [Mark HINKLE]<br />Republican Party [Reince PRIEBUS] |
|
| Political pressure groups and leaders | Landless Workers' Movement or MST<br /><strong>other:</strong> industrial federations; labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church | environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PACs; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies |
|
| Suffrage | voluntary between 16 to under 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory 18 to 70 years of age | 18 years of age; universal |
|
| Country name > Conventional long form | Federative Republic of Brazil | United States of America | |
| Executive branch > Elections | president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 3 October 2010 with runoff on 31 October 2010 (next to be held on 5 October 2014 and, if necessary, a runoff election on 2 November 2014) | president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2016) |
|
| National symbol(s) | Southern Cross constellation | bald eagle | |
| Flag description | green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth; the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District) | 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory |
|
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days |
107.5
Ranked 4th. 22 times more than United States |
5
Ranked 170th. |
|
| Country name > Conventional short form | Brazil | United States | |
| Constitutional form | Republic | Republic | |
| Transnational Issues > Disputes > International | uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela | the US has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders; abundant rainfall in recent years along much of the Mexico-US border region has ameliorated periodically strained water-sharing arrangements; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island; Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution |
|
| National anthem | <strong>name: </strong>"Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA | <strong>name: </strong>"The Star-Spangled Banner"<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH | |
| Legislative branch > Election results | Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 20, PT 13, PSDB 10, DEM (formerly PFL) 7, PTdoB 6, PP 5, PDT 4, PR 4, PSB 4, PPS 1, PRB 1, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 87, PMDB 80, PSDB 53, DEM (formerly PFL) 43, PP 41, PR 41, PSB 34, PDT 28, PTdoB 21, PSC 17, PCdoB 15, PV 15, PPS 12, other 26 | Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 54, Republican Party 45, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 201, Republican Party 234 |
|
| Legislative branch > Elections | Federal Senate - last held on 3 October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held in October 2014 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 October 2010 (next to be held in October 2014) | Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 4 November 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 4 November 2014) |
|
| Democracy and rights > Press freedom index |
32.75
Ranked 71st. 80% more than United States |
18.22
Ranked 13th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage |
8.58%
Ranked 156th. |
17.78%
Ranked 91st. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| Independence | 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) | 4 July 1776 (declared); 3 September 1783 (recognized by Great Britain) |
|
| Executive branch > Election results | Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF 56.01%, Jose SERRA (PSDB) 43.99% | Barack H. OBAMA reelected president; percent of popular vote - Barack H. OBAMA 50.6%, Mitt ROMNEY 47.9%, other 1.5%; |
|
| Judicial branch > Subordinate courts | Federal Appeals Court, Superior Court of Justice, Superior Electoral Court, regional federal courts; state court system | Courts of Appeal (includes the US Court of Appeal for the Federal District and 12 regional appeals courts); 94 federal district courts in 50 states and territories | |
| Basis of executive legitimacy | Presidency is independent of legislature | Presidency is independent of legislature | |
| Transnational Issues > Illicit drugs | second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area | world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center | |
| Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press |
44
Ranked 104th. 2 times more than United States |
18
Ranked 171st. |
|
| Corruption > Bribe Payers Index |
7.4
Ranked 17th. |
8.1
Ranked 8th. 9% more than Brazil |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament |
8.6%
Ranked 133th. |
15.2%
Ranked 79th. 77% more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
13
Ranked 11th. 2 times more than United States |
6
Ranked 103th. |
|
| Democracy > Civil and political liberties |
4
Ranked 60th. |
6
Ranked 6th. 50% more than Brazil |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ |
155.61 billion$
Ranked 7th. |
1.84 trillion$
Ranked 1st. 12 times more than Brazil |
|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 7 September | Independence Day, 4 July (1776) |
|
| Capital > Geographic coordinates | 15 47 S, 47 55 W | 38 53 N, 77 02 W | |
| Democracy > First female parliamentarian | 1933 (elected) | 1917 (elected) | |
| Time required to start a business > Days |
152 days
Ranked 6th. 30 times more than United States |
5 days
Ranked 167th. |
|
| Leaders > President | Dilma Rousseff | Barack Obama |
|
| Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment |
0.927
Ranked 149th. |
0.991
Ranked 52nd. 7% more than Brazil |
|
| Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office | justices appointed by the president and approved by the Federal Senate; justices appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 | president nominates, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints Supreme Court justices; justices appointed for life | |
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient |
3.1
Ranked 129th. |
4.5
Ranked 43th. 45% more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days |
30
Ranked 105th. 3 times more than United States |
12
Ranked 158th. |
|
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | withdrew acceptance of compulsory ICJ jurisdiction in 2005; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by men |
469
Ranked 7th. 32% more than United States |
356
Ranked 21st. |
|
| Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
4
Ranked 24th. 3 times more than United States |
1.5
Ranked 144th. |
|
| Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.0654
Ranked 175th. 3 times more than United States |
0.0191
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women |
44
Ranked 53th. |
77
Ranked 27th. 75% more than Brazil |
|
| Leaders > President > Summary | Ms Rousseff made a major leap to the top job when she became president in 2010 | Barack Obama, the country's first black president | |
| Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel |
None
|
None
|
|
| Democracy > Democratic institutions rating |
8
Ranked 42nd. |
10
Ranked 9th. 25% more than Brazil |
|
| UN membership date | 24 Oct. 1945 | 24 Oct. 1945 | |
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
15
Ranked 76th. |
16
Ranked 60th. 7% more than Brazil |
|
| Capital city | Brasilia | Washington, DC | |
| Capital > Name | Brasilia | Washington, DC | |
| Legal origin | <a href=/country/fr>French</a> | <a href=/encyclopedia/England>English</a> | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita |
834.77$
per capita
Ranked 43th. |
6,281.51$
per capita
Ranked 14th. 8 times more than Brazil |
|
| Spending > Expense > Current LCU |
723.08 billion
Ranked 24th. |
3.7 trillion
Ranked 1st. 5 times more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days |
58
Ranked 147th. |
60
Ranked 144th. 3% more than Brazil |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout |
0.0
Ranked 152nd. |
63.8%
Ranked 101st. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Year women first voted at national level | 1932 | 1920 | |
| Legislature (parliament) > People per member |
323,158
Ranked 9th. |
575,019
Ranked 3rd. 78% more than Brazil |
|
| Capital > Time difference | UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC-5 (during Standard Time) | |
| Democracy > Presidential elections > Voting age population |
102.8 million
Ranked 3rd. |
213.95 million
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| International relations | Brazil wants a permanent seat at the UN Security Council; relations with Bolivia suffered in 2006 over access to Bolivian gas | The US has a leading role on the world stage, militarily and diplomatically. Its combat troops are set to leave Afghanistan by late 2014 | |
| Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million |
0.292
Ranked 183th. 53% more than United States |
0.191
Ranked 186th. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members |
513
Ranked 14th. 18% more than United States |
435
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Democracy > Female ministers |
0.0
Ranked 116th. |
7.1%
Ranked 92nd. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Upper house members |
81
Ranked 27th. |
100
Ranked 24th. 23% more than Brazil |
|
| Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state |
4
Ranked 126th. The same as United States |
4
Ranked 129th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
731
Ranked 44th. 98% more than United States |
370
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Democracy > Female parliamentarians |
6.7%
Ranked 123th. |
13.8%
Ranked 60th. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number |
14
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than United States |
4
Ranked 145th. |
|
| Leaders > President > Profile | <p>Dilma Rousseff is the first woman to be elected as Brazil's president. </p> <p>She was chief of staff to her predecessor, president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and also his favoured successor. </p> <p>In the October 2010 elections to succeed President Lula, she narrowly failed to win an outright majority in the first round. </p> <p>The result meant Ms Rousseff faced the second-placed candidate, Sao Paolo mayor Jose Serra of the main opposition Social Democracy party, in a run-off vote on 31 October. </p> <p>Ms Rousseff, 62, was little known to her compatriots until Mr Lula selected her as his favoured successor after a number of high-profile candidates were forced out by corruption scandals during his time in office. </p> <p>She joined the government in 2003 as energy minister. In 2005, Mr Lula made her his chief of staff, a post she held until March 2010, when she launched her campaign for the presidency as the Workers Party (PT) candidate. </p> <p>During the election campaign, Ms Rousseff made it clear that she represented continuity with the Lula government, under which millions of Brazilians saw their standard of living rise. </p> <p>She is known to favour a strong state role in strategic areas, including banking, the oil industry and energy.</p> <p>In 2013, she faced her biggest challenge so far, when people took to the streets in cities throughout the country to protest against corruption, inadequate public services and the expense of staging the 2014 football World Cup.</p> <p>Dilma Rousseff was born in 1947 and grew up in an upper middle class household in Belo Horizonte, in the coffee-growing state of Minas Gerais. </p> <p>Her father, Pedro Rousseff, was a Bulgarian immigrant. </p> <p>Her seemingly conventional background changed in the mid-1960s, when she was in her late teens. She became involved in left-wing politics and joined the underground resistance to the military dictatorship that seized power in 1964. </p> <p>She has said that she was never actively involved in armed operations, but in 1970 she was jailed for three years and reportedly tortured. </p> <p>After her release at the end of 1972 she studied economics and went on to become a career civil servant. </p> <p>Ms Rousseff is twice divorced and has one daughter.</p> <p>In 2009, she was treated for and recovered from lymphatic cancer. </p> | <p>Barack Obama, a Democrat and America's first black president, was re-elected for a second term in November 2012 after a bitterly-fought campaign against Republican challenger Mitt Romney.</p> <p>The Democrats kept control of the Senate and the Republicans remained in control of the House of Representatives, leading to political gridlock in Congress on the budget in late 2013.</p> <p>The campaign focused on the ailing US economy. In his inaugural speech in January 2013, Mr Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to work together to sustain the country's fragile economic recovery. He also pledged an end to "ten years of war", signalling the departure of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014.</p> <p>First term challenges</p> <p>The worst economic crisis in the US since the Great Depression of the 1930s dominated much of Mr Obama's first term. The president pursued an aggressive policy of economic stimulus, including bail-outs of major car makers.</p> <p>He made reform of the healthcare system to extend coverage and reduce ballooning costs one of his top domestic priorities.</p> <p>Despite a tortuous drafting process and vociferous Republican opposition, Mr Obama and Democrats in Congress finally succeeded in passing a health care bill in March 2010.</p> <p>However, the health reform, along with the $787bn stimulus package passed in February 2010 to shore up an ailing economy, galvanised opposition among opponents to Mr Obama's agenda.</p> <p>The American Right in particular worried about what it saw as moves to extend the role of the state in the economy, and the threat of excessive public debt.</p> <p>Tea Party boost for Republicans</span> <p>The rise of the conservative Tea Party movement in 2009 re-energised the Republicans and helped them to capitalise on popular discontent at the slow pace of America's economic recovery.</p> <p>The Republicans made sweeping gains in mid-term elections in November 2010, regaining control of the House of Representatives.</p> <p>In autumn 2011 anti-capitalist protestors took to the streets of major cities, marching under the slogan "Occupy Wall Street", against "corporate greed" and increasing government debt. The protests inspired marches in other cities worldwide in October 2011.</p> <p>Bin Laden operation</span> <p>In May 2011, Mr Obama was widely applauded domestically - including by the Right - for his decision to order the operation that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. </p> <p>Barack Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii, the son of a black Kenyan father and a white American mother. After attending an elite Hawaiian academy and Columbia University in New York, he went on to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1991.</p> <p>Mr Obama practiced law and did community work in Chicago, where he also became active in the Democratic Party. He won a seat in the Illinois state senate in 1996, and followed this up by winning a US Senate seat in 2004.</p> <p>He emphatic victory over his opponent John McCain in the 2008 presidential election ended eight years of Republican rule in the White House.</p> <p>Mr Obama ran for president on a ticket promising change, and came to office riding a wave of high expectations from his supporters, both at home and abroad.</p> <p>He is widely acknowledged to be a charismatic figure and is noted for his stirring oratory. </p> | |
| Role of head of state | Executive | Executive | |
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita |
835.95$
Ranked 42nd. |
6,299.75$
Ranked 14th. 8 times more than Brazil |
|
| Democracy > Presidential elections > Registered voter turnout |
79.5%
Ranked 22nd. 18% more than United States |
67.4%
Ranked 55th. |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number |
17
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than United States |
5
Ranked 154th. |
|
| Democracy > Presidential elections > Voting age population per 1000 |
565.62
Ranked 36th. |
737.5
Ranked 17th. 30% more than Brazil |
|
| Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong |
3
Ranked 127th. |
8
Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million |
0.0156
Ranked 140th. 9% more than United States |
0.0143
Ranked 141st. |
|
| Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU |
130.83 billion
Ranked 27th. |
399.42 billion
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than Brazil |
|
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU |
375.68 billion
Ranked 23th. |
2.56 trillion
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Brazil |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for upper house members |
8
Ranked 3rd. 33% more than United States |
6
Ranked 17th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP |
0.195$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 37th. 23% more than United States |
0.158$
per $1 of GDP
Ranked 76th. |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by women per million people |
0.219
Ranked 176th. |
0.243
Ranked 175th. 11% more than Brazil |
|
| Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment | February 7, 1976 | April 25, 1947 | |
| Democracy > Female suffrage | 1934 | "1920 ,1960" | |
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
400
Ranked 6th. 4 times more than United States |
91
Ranked 157th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
0.221
Ranked 183th. 2 times more than United States |
0.102
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million |
0.599
Ranked 137th. 38 times more than United States |
0.0159
Ranked 188th. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million |
0.154
Ranked 175th. 4 times more than United States |
0.0382
Ranked 181st. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.0755
Ranked 178th. 48% more than United States |
0.051
Ranked 182nd. |
|
| Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million |
2.16
Ranked 166th. 7 times more than United States |
0.29
Ranked 183th. |
|
| Capital > Daylight saving time | +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February | +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November | |
| Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU |
108.56 billion
Ranked 16th. |
270.49 billion
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita |
648.77 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 37th. |
5,464.23 constant 2000 US$
per c
Ranked 8th. 8 times more than Brazil |
|
| Time required to build a warehouse > Days |
460 days
Ranked 7th. 7 times more than United States |
69 days
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population |
102.8 million
Ranked 6th. |
213.95 million
Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| Democracy > Female candidacy |
1,934
Ranked 111th. 8% more than United States |
1,788
Ranked 161st. |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita |
0.074
per 1,000 people
Ranked 47th. |
0.092
per 1,000 people
Ranked 35th. 24% more than Brazil |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000 |
0.0737
Ranked 51st. |
0.0922
Ranked 35th. 25% more than Brazil |
|
| Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment | December 23, 1992 | August 11, 1992 | |
| National anthem > Name | "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem) | "The Star-Spangled Banner" | |
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration |
115.25 million
Ranked 4th. |
156.42 million
Ranked 2nd. 36% more than Brazil |
|
| Time required to enforce a contract > Days |
616 days
Ranked 50th. 2 times more than United States |
300 days
Ranked 136th. |
|
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita |
0.09
per 1 million people
Ranked 159th. 5 times more than United States |
0.017
per 1 million people
Ranked 168th. |
|
| Buenos Aires Convention > Berne | 1922-02-09 | 1989-03-01 | |
| Procedures to register property > Number |
14
Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than United States |
4
Ranked 131st. |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number |
19
Ranked 51st. 6% more than United States |
18
Ranked 67th. |
|
| Buenos Aires Convention > Buenos_Aires_Convention | 1915-08-31 | 1911-08-01 | |
| Democracy > Presidential elections > Total vote |
91.66 million
Ranked 2nd. |
105.41 million
Ranked 1st. 15% more than Brazil |
|
| Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million |
3.68
Ranked 179th. 3 times more than United States |
1.18
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Trademarks > Residents |
81,036
Ranked 5th. |
213,495
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Brazil |
|
| Capital city > Note | Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands | the 50 United States cover six time zones |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita |
0.074
per 1 million people
Ranked 152nd. 6 times more than United States |
0.013
per 1 million people
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita |
0.223
per 1 million people
Ranked 162nd. 4 times more than United States |
0.057
per 1 million people
Ranked 167th. |
|
| Democracy and rights > Active Labor party | Brazilian Labour Party Brazilian Labour Renewal Party Democratic Labour Party National Labour Party Social Labour Party | Socialist Labor Party of America Labor Party (United States, 1996) Minnesota Democratic\u2013Farmer\u2013Labor Party | |
| Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU |
92.72 billion
Ranked 25th. |
518.29 billion
Ranked 9th. 6 times more than Brazil |
|
| Republic establishment date | November 15, 1889 | September 3, 1783 | |
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
42
Ranked 43th. 2 times more than United States |
17
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 |
565.62
Ranked 75th. |
737.5
Ranked 40th. 30% more than Brazil |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU | 167648900000 | 1604600000000 |
|
| Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense |
12.82%
Ranked 43th. |
15.67%
Ranked 32nd. 22% more than Brazil |
|
| Democracy and rights > Last election | October 2010 | November 2012 | |
| Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue |
15.19%
Ranked 8th. 27% more than United States |
11.93%
Ranked 1st. |
|
| Spending > Interest payments > % of expense |
15.01%
Ranked 10th. 2 times more than United States |
7.31%
Ranked 3rd. |
|
| Spending > Other expense > % of expense |
2.11%
Ranked 74th. |
26.91%
Ranked 1st. 13 times more than Brazil |
|
| Spending > Other expense > Current LCU |
15.29 billion
Ranked 37th. |
995.12 billion
Ranked 1st. 65 times more than Brazil |
|
| Democracy and rights > Next election | October 2014 | November 2016 | |
| Ruling party | Workers' Party | Democratic | |
| Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense |
18.09%
Ranked 56th. 50% more than United States |
12.08%
Ranked 75th. |
|
| Spending > Expense > % of GDP |
24.06%
Ranked 52nd. |
25.94%
Ranked 2nd. 8% more than Brazil |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members |
4
Ranked 121st. Twice as much as United States |
2
Ranked 183th. |
|
| Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament |
594
Ranked 21st. 11% more than United States |
535
Ranked 25th. |
|
| Buenos Aires Convention > UCC | 1960-01-13 | 1955-09-16 | |
| Time to resolve insolvency > Years |
4 years
Ranked 35th. 3 times more than United States |
1.5 years
Ranked 127th. |
|
| Capital city > Time difference | UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | UTC-5 (during Standard Time) |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita |
649.69 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 37th. |
5,480.09 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 8th. 8 times more than Brazil |
|
| Trademarks > Residents > Per capita |
0.453
per 1,000 people
Ranked 29th. |
0.727
per 1,000 people
Ranked 18th. 60% more than Brazil |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth |
1.56%
Ranked 77th. |
2.5%
Ranked 70th. 60% more than Brazil |
|
| Time required to register property > Days |
47 days
Ranked 87th. 4 times more than United States |
12 days
Ranked 145th. |
|
| Trademarks > Residents per million |
451.72
Ranked 32nd. |
729.14
Ranked 18th. 61% more than Brazil |
|
| Trademarks > Nonresidents |
13,218
Ranked 8th. |
26,988
Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.0744
Ranked 151st. 6 times more than United States |
0.0134
Ranked 163th. |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million |
0.101
Ranked 159th. 67% more than United States |
0.0603
Ranked 164th. |
|
| Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million |
0.223
Ranked 161st. 4 times more than United States |
0.057
Ranked 166th. |
|
| Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % |
8.6%
Ranked 156th. |
17.9%
Ranked 97th. 2 times more than Brazil |
|
| Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense |
51.96%
Ranked 35th. |
69.14%
Ranked 1st. 33% more than Brazil |
|
| Parliament > Seats held by men per million people |
2.33
Ranked 178th. 2 times more than United States |
1.12
Ranked 185th. |
|
| Democracy > Presidential elections > Voter registration |
115.25 million
Ranked 2nd. |
156.42 million
Ranked 1st. 36% more than Brazil |
|
| Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China | August 15, 1974 | January 1, 1979 | |
| National anthem > Note | music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted | adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song;" only the first verse is sung | |
| Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million |
0.0904
Ranked 157th. 5 times more than United States |
0.0168
Ranked 167th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU | 378745000000 | 1844600000000 |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number |
44
Ranked 32nd. 38% more than United States |
32
Ranked 154th. |
|
| Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million |
0.0705
Ranked 171st. 6 times more than United States |
0.0127
Ranked 181st. |
|
| Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours |
2,600 hours
Ranked 1st. 8 times more than United States |
325 hours
Ranked 54th. |
|
| General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ |
120.93 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 7th. |
1.6 trillion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 1st. 13 times more than Brazil |
|
| Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita |
0.101
per 1 million people
Ranked 160th. 68% more than United States |
0.06
per 1 million people
Ranked 165th. |
|
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