A high-end geography series that explores some of the fastest-developing countries and cities in the world and assesses how they are dealing with the challenges of the 21st century. Topics looked at include: population structure, the economy, environmental sustainability and the outlook for the future. Each title also features a closer look at an individual city within the country.

The fastest developing country in South America, Brazil is going through an exciting period of rapid economic and social change. These changes are magnified in one of Brazil's greatest cities, Rio. Managing a population sharply divided between rich and poor and protecting its unique rainforest are just two of the challenges that Brazil must tackle if it is to continue its positive growth.