Some info from an AP report on how Brazil has changed as Lula prepares to leave office:
"Since Silva’s first election in 2002, the middle class has grown by 29 million people — more than the population of Texas — creating a powerful new domestic consumer market. Another 20 million people — as many as in New York state — were pulled from poverty. The country that received a record $30 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund as it neared economic collapse in 2002 now lends money to the IMF, making up to $5 billion available for loans to other nations."
And also this:
"By the time Brazil hosts the Olympics, it is forecast to be the globe's fifth-largest economy, surpassing Italy, Britain and France."
Full report can be found at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...n7188460.shtml and many other news sites..