Size: 8,511,965 sq km VS 56,542 sq km
Population: 188,078,227 VS 4,494,749
GDP Per Capita, PPP: $8,400 (2005 est.)
VS $11,600 (2005 est.)
Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south VS Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber VS oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower
Environmental Issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills VS air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife
Ethnic Makeup: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
VS Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census)
HIV/AIDS - Adult Prevalence Rate: 0.7%
VS less than 0.1%
HIV/AIDS - People Living With HIV/AIDS: 660,000
VS 200
International Disputes: unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina; in 2004 Brazil submitted its claims to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to extend its maritime continental margin
VS discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small disputed sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains un-ratified and in dispute; as a European Union peripheral state, neighboring Slovenia must conform to the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia
Airports: 4,223 (2005)
VS 68 (2005)
Heliports: 417 (2005)
VS 1 (2005)
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Overview Brazil:
Brazil is the only country to have qualified for every World Cup. They are taking part for the 18th time. They have lifted the cup a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002.
Brazil have won their last seven World Cup matches, all in 2002. If they beat Croatia, they will improve the record for most consecutive wins in the finals. That record was set by Italy between 1934 and 1950 and equalled by Brazil in the 2002 World Cup final. Brazil have kept a clean sheet in their last two World Cup matches, and have won their last six opening fixtures at World Cups.
Overview Croatia:
Croatia have qualified for the third time. In 1998 they finished third on their debut, in 2002 they failed to negotiate the group phase.
Croatia have not suffered a defeat in their last 10 competitive matches, and have not been beaten since Euro 2004 where they lost their final group match against England (2-4).
Player facts : Brazil
Ronaldo, the 2002 top scorer with eight goals, needs two more goals to equal Gerd Muller's leading World Cup total of 14. He's currently tied in third place with Pele. Both players needed 14 matches to reach that total. Ronaldo scored 10 goals in 15 qualifying matches to become the CONMEBOL section top scorer.
Over the years, nine Brazilians have been red carded at the World Cup, a record they share with Argentina. Ronaldinho was their last player to be shown a red card during a World Cup match. He received his marching orders against England in 2002.
Player facts : Croatia
Goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa can play his 50th international match for Croatia.
AC Milan defender Dario Simic returns to the World Cup for the third time following appearances in 1998 and 2002. Forward Ivica Olic is the only player in Croatia's squad who has previously scored at a World Cup. He scored once against Italy in 2002. Brothers Niko and Robert Kovac also played together in the 2002 finals.
Miscellaneous Info
Brazil will try to repeat their feat of 1962 when they successfully defended their World Cup title. Italy (1938) is the only other country to have retained the accolade of world champions.