INDUSTRIAL CONCENTRATION IN BRAZIL ACCORDING TO THE CENSUSES: 1907-1980

Abstract

This paper uses Manufacturing Censuses from 1907 through 1980 in order to examine the evolution of spatial concentration of industry in Brazil. In its various sections, the paper makes comments upon the situation of Brazilian regions at the beginning of the twentieth century; it analyzes the degree of concentration and dispersion of the manufacturing sector at the beginning of the century, based on the Manufacturing Census of 1907, also discussing Brazil's industrial position in terms of other sectors and countries; it describes the historical evolution of industrial concentration by macroregions, and by selected states; and it concludes with some considerations over the consequences of a highly polarizing industrialization process, spatially concentrated in a very small area of the national territory.